LOWER SCHOOL PRIMARY TEACHER (KINDERGARTEN-GRADE 3)
Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally-competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.
THE POSITION
Working under the direction of the Lower School Director, primary teachers work collaboratively with their fellow faculty members to develop and ensure high-quality learning experiences for students. Primary teachers use formative assessment data, including close observation of students, as well as published assessments, to know students and respond to their individual strengths and needs with personalized instruction. Primary teachers take special care to ensure that students have access to systematic literacy and early numeracy instruction that allows students to more fully engage in Hawken’s progressive approach to learning.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIESWorking under the direction of the Lower School Director, primary teachers work collaboratively with their fellow faculty members to develop and ensure high-quality learning experiences for students. Primary teachers use formative assessment data, including close observation of students, as well as published assessments, to know students and respond to their individual strengths and needs with personalized instruction. Primary teachers take special care to ensure that students have access to systematic literacy and early numeracy instruction that allows students to more fully engage in Hawken’s progressive approach to learning.
- Serve as a homeroom teacher to one section of Lower School students, which includes regular communication with families, advocacy for students, and fostering a nurturing and empowering learning community
- Collaboratively develop, plan, and implement high-quality learning experiences grounded in the principles of mastery learning
- Manage and respond to ongoing assessment data through timely, specific, and kind feedback to students
- Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Lower School Director or Head of School; examples include participating in the admissions process and taking part in all-school events and activities
- An advanced degree in Elementary Education is preferred
- Demonstrated competence and leadership in elementary curriculum development, instruction, and pedagogy
- Experience with Responsive Classroom and project-based learning preferred
- Experience with Fundations (or another structured literacy program) and Bridges to Mathematics is helpful, but not required
- Exceptional understanding of and demonstrated effectiveness in responding to the developmental needs of elementary-level learners
- Experience with dynamic educational technology integration and learning enhancement
- A willingness and eagerness to assist in the life of the School
- Experience in establishing positive partnership and constructive collaboration with colleagues, families, and caregivers
- A joyful enthusiasm for elementary-level learning
- Flexibility, energy, creativity, high expectations, and a sense of humor
Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission.
Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.
Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.
Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.
Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.
Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.
THE SCHOOL
Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.
To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Molly Toussant, at LSEmployment@hawken.edu.
Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.
An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
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