Role and Responsibilities

• Facilitate student learning in core-curriculum subjects mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning
• Model Thaden’s philosophy in working with students, parents, colleagues, and administration
• Create a classroom environment that facilitates the social-emotional development of each student
• Support students in achieving their full potential of development and growth through observation of student behavior and needs and consult with the school counselor and learning support staff
• Work with the Head of Lower School to carry out the academic program through effective curriculum development and implementation, classroom management, and parent communication
• Collaborate with grade-level colleagues, as well as work closely with other Lower School faculty around teaching and learning
• Write narrative progress reports for each child at the end of the three trimesters and hold parent-teacher conferences to amplify the information included in the progress reports
• Attend and participate in faculty in-service meetings, faculty professional development, student gatherings, and other school functions, as requested
• Participate in professional development opportunities and keep current on educational issues and trends
• Effectively interact with a diverse population of students, families, and faculty and staff
• Invest in the life of the school by participating in collaborative planning sessions, faculty meetings, and multidisciplinary team meetings
• Administer assessments and interpret results to determine student strengths and areas of need
• Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies

Skills, Qualifications, and Attributes

• Positive personality and love for children
• Interest in and in-depth knowledge about the teaching of early childhood students, including those from a variety of racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Strong interest in the social-emotional needs of early childhood students
• Highly collaborative and collegial manner
• Consistent, highly professional behavior, including discretion, judgment, and integrity
• Dedicated work ethic: proactive, responsible, reliable, punctual, and attentive to deadlines
• Effective time-management skills with the ability to manage, organize, and prioritize work
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• High proficiency with teaching and learning technology accompanied by a willingness to learn new technologies
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Flexibility with the special needs associated with an academic calendar and schedule
• Ability to display strong initiative, internal motivation, and a willingness to take on responsibilities beyond those explicitly defined. Committed to professional learning and growth
• Undergraduate degree (master’s preferred) in education or an appropriate content field
• Three to five years of successful teaching experience
• Candidate must also complete the required background check

Physical Requirements

• Job frequently requires standing, walking, and handling objects with hands
• Job occasionally requires reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 25 pounds
• Some work performed outside exposed to changing weather conditions
• Moderate concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate