Chicago, Illinois
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Zhuhai, China
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Posted: 01-Feb-23
Location: Denver, Colorado
Type: Full Time
Salary: $55,000 - $85,000
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Position Overview
Graland Country Day School is seeking a Lower School Spanish teacher with experience in elementary classrooms. The Lower School Spanish program provides students with a linguistic foundation and instills a positive attitude toward future language studies. Students in kindergarten through fourth grade engage in thematic units and learn through songs, games, and interactive lessons. The Lower School Spanish teachers are responsible for leading the elementary World Language instructional program, which includes, but is not limited to, planning, developing, implementing, assessing and monitoring the Spanish curriculum.
Reports to: Head of Lower School
Terms: Full-time, school year, starts August 2023
Primary Responsibilities
Lower School Spanish teachers work with a range of grade levels from kindergarten through fourth grade and are members of the world language department. The Lower School experience at Graland calls for teachers to recognize that working with this age group requires a variety of roles, and a high level of energy and enthusiasm from its faculty.
The following list is not comprehensive of all tasks of the position, but serves as a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities.
Planning and Preparation:
Graland teachers are well versed in the subjects they teach and effectively use different instructional approaches to cultivate student understanding of the subjects.
- Demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy
- Demonstrates knowledge of students
- Treats students equitably, recognizing the individual differences that distinguish students from one another
- Selects instructional goals that lead to attainment of grade level goals
- Acts on the belief that all students can learn and succeed
- Demonstrates knowledge of resources
- Appropriately uses technology tools to enhance instruction
- Employs varied resources to provide instruction using different modalities
- Designs coherent instruction
- Understands how students develop and learn and incorporates prevailing theories of cognition and intelligence into their practice
- Reflects solid understanding of content, students, and available resources
- Assesses student learning
- Assesses and keeps records on the progress of individual students as well as the class as a whole
- Employs multiple methods for assessing student growth
- Uses assessment to drive instruction
- Collaborates with team to organize grade level field trips that directly support learning goals
The Classroom Environment:
Graland teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning.
- Creates an environment of respect and rapport
- Shows respect for student levels of development
- Promotes respectful interaction between students
- Employs the Responsive Classroom approach in the classroom
- Establishes a culture for learning
- Maintains high expectations for student learning and interactions among individuals
- Establishes and consistently reinforces clear standards for student conduct
- Manages classroom procedures
- Balances managing student behavior with fostering student ownership for managing their own behavior
- Organizes physical space
Instruction:
Graland teachers are committed to students and their learning.
- Communicates clearly and accurately
- Possesses a rich understanding of subject matter and is able to deliver it in a clear manner
- Understands how knowledge in their subjects is created, organized, linked to other disciplines and applied to real-world settings
- Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness
- Adjusts instruction on the basis of observation and knowledge of students’ interest, abilities and background knowledge
- Uses questioning and discussion techniques
- Develops the critical and analytical capabilities of their students
- Engages students in learning
- Dedicated to making knowledge accessible to all students
- Provides feedback to students
- Promotes student reflection on learning to solidify understanding
Professional Responsibility:
Graland teachers are members of learning communities and think systematically about their practice and learn from experience.
- Reflects on teaching
- Maintains accurate records
- Communication
- Writes cohesive, concise report cards
- Clearly explains student performance to students, parents and administrators with progress reports, conferences, and other classroom communications
- Contributes to the school
- Participates in school activities beyond the classroom (i.e.: coaching, trips, etc.)
- Collaborates with colleagues
- Participates in professional learning communities
- Provides relevant input and ideas for grade level initiatives
- Grows and develops professionally
- Participates in professional development opportunities to ensure continued professional growth and to forward the school’s mission
- Shows professionalism
- Serves as a role model to students
- Adheres to school rules and regulations as outlined in the employee handbook
- Exhibits high standards of ethical conduct
Professional and Personal Qualities
- A collaborative and supportive member of the Graland Community who…
- Models caring, respect, patience, and appreciation of differences
- Provides a safe environment for students
- Recognizes the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity (DEI) work and continues growth as a culturally responsive educator
- Represents the school in position and in community
- Participates in effective communication that is responsible, descriptive, and non-judgmental.
- Demonstrates a growth mindset, open to feedback and new learning
- Supports collective efforts of the school in addition to team responsibilities
- Upholds school, employee and family confidentiality as well as adhering to all school policies and procedures
- Believes in an educational approach that is aligned with the Graland mission and philosophy
- Encompasses interpersonal skills and collaborates with colleagues. Has the ability to motivate, support and lead others
- Builds positive relationships with students by demonstrating respect and care, while creating a safe environment that promotes intellectual risk-taking
- Fosters a learning environment that inspires active student participation, curiosity, and initiative
- Utilizes a variety of instructional approaches to engage students
- Possesses strong organization and communication skills
- Approaches situations with flexibility and creative thinking to identify solutions
- Understands the big picture and requires planning for seamless execution
Qualifications
- An experienced educator, preferably with elementary-aged students
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Fluent in Spanish (native or near-native speaker)
- Has familiarity with standard and best practices for learning languages
- Brings experience with the integration of Spanish and other disciplines for units of study at each grade level
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with students, faculty, administration, and parents/guardians
- Willingness and ability to pursue ongoing professional development opportunities
- Demonstrates ease with technology programs and tools to engage learners
