Homeroom Teacher – K-6

Position Summary:

Our Elementary Homeroom Teachers work together with parents, students, other staff, and administration to create a learning environment that supports student growth in both academics and social-emotional skills. Importantly, an Elementary Homeroom teacher at Gardner brings curiosity, creativity, joy, and humor to our community, demonstrating an appreciation for the same qualities in our students. The ideal candidate is someone who sees value in being part of a team, and who wants to create and innovate in their classroom curriculum approach. Play and experiential learning, both on our campus and  beyond, are important aspects of our learning community. The ideal teacher can differentiate and individualize instruction in ways that maximize student engagement and achievement, and guide their class through long-range thematic learning experiences and culminating projects and presentations.

Responsibilities:

• Teach classes as assigned, providing effective and professional classroom instruction, assessment, and management. Incorporate tenets of progressive education, including experiential learning, and a whole-child approach. Help to maintain school policies, regulations, and expectations, and complete required forms and assessments in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development and on enhancing instructional practices and strategies.
• Integrate experiences and projects between homeroom classroom and specialist classrooms. Exhibit a growth mindset about teaching practices and work toward professional goals and development.
• Establish effective communications and relationships with students and parents.
• Develop and maintain professional, collaborative, and collegial relationships with faculty and staff, as well as with community partners. Our school has some evening and weekend events that staff are expected to participate in for admissions and development activities. As a small school, teachers support the work across all grade levels through supervision and engagement at those activities.
• Provide effective supervision of students to promote a safe and healthy environment and school experience, both on campus and off campus. Teachers are expected (but not required) to travel with students on various experiential activities throughout the year, including potential trips out-of-state and overnights. Gardner does not have school-provided transportation, so duties may include transporting students or riding with parents and chaperones in personal vehicles.
• Opportunities to teach summer camps (not required) for additional pay beyond the 10 month salary.
• Support the needs of the entire school community through various supervision and community outreach duties as assigned, including creating plans for at least one weekend event per year.

Qualifications:

• Earned bachelor’s degree or higher in education or a related field from an accredited institution. Advanced degree in education or related field preferred.
  Experience with the Bridges Math curriculum, Reading A-Z, Handwriting Without Tears, and thematic instruction, and multiple intelligences appreciated, but not required.
  Ability to create, review, and modify effective lesson and unit plans with built-in formative and summative assessments. Capacity to review and adjust plans as the various learning needs arise.
• Willingness to work with staff and administrators to reflect on processes, collaborate to plan and execute lessons, and to participate in constructive conversations about feedback from that work.
• Can navigate verbal, digital, and written communication with administrators, staff, parents, and students to effectively communicate and work through challenges. Curious and kind in communication, showing care and openness to various cultures, experiences, and responses.
• Able to meet physical requirements consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with place-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Faculty members are at all times responsible for the supervision of students in their care during classes and for students generally at all times when on campus or off campus during school activities.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This is a 10-month faculty position that follows an academic year. There are some required commitments outside of regular school hours, including evening and weekend commitments. Teachers are expected to travel with students on various experiential activities throughout the year, including trips out-of-state.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with place-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $38,000 – $50,000

Position Classification: Non-Exempt, 10 months paid over 12

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Simple IRA (up to 3% employer match), Life insurance, and long-term disability.