Every day, every hour and every encounter, we use the skills that we learned in grade school. We listen carefully, smile at others, ask questions, laugh often and are present in the moment. It was the teachers in the earliest years of our development who modeled and displayed kindness, love and humor. Those teachers laid the foundations in our lives, indelibly.

We are seeking a joyful, enthusiastic educator to join our Lower School team as a Kindergarten educator. La Jolla Country Day School's kindergarten is child-centered, honoring the intellectual, social and emotional life of each child. A rich and varied curriculum develops character and fosters a love of knowledge and each child's desire to learn. The faculty, through diverse teaching styles and interests, inspires creativity and imagination.

Essential duties will include: 

• Daily classroom instruction; 

• Ongoing communication with families and students; 

• Advising and mentoring groups of students; 

• Collaboration with colleagues;

• Active participation in the curricular improvement of the department; and

• Participation in field trips and Outdoor/Experiential Education programs with students.

Additional Expectations

• Instructional Delivery:

  • Deliver high-quality instruction in assigned subject areas to students of varying abilities, utilizing various teaching methods to ensure engagement and understanding.

  • Create, implement, and adjust lesson plans that align with curriculum standards and meet the needs of all learners.

  • Employ formative and summative assessments to monitor and evaluate student progress.

  • Provide individualized support and instruction to students as needed, in both group settings and one-on-one interactions.

• Classroom Management:

  • Establish clear expectations for student behavior and maintain a positive, respectful classroom environment conducive to learning.

  • Use proactive strategies to prevent and manage classroom disruptions.

  • Foster student responsibility and independence through positive reinforcement and consistent routines.

  • Assume responsibility for the proper care and use of classroom equipment.

• Student Development:

  • Assess students' academic and social-emotional development, maintaining accurate records of student progress.

  • Provide constructive feedback to students and communicate their progress to families through conferences, reports, and other means.

  • Support students' social and emotional growth by creating an inclusive and supportive classroom atmosphere.

• Collaboration and Communication:

  • Work collaboratively with fellow teachers, administrators, and other school staff to support student learning and development.

  • Communicate effectively with families regarding student progress, behavior, and academic achievements.

  • Participate in school committees, extracurricular activities, and professional development opportunities.

  • Attend and contribute to faculty, team, grade level, and department meetings as required.

• Curriculum and Instructional Planning:

  • Develop and implement engaging, standards-based lesson plans and instructional materials.

  • Regularly review and assess instructional materials and methods to ensure their effectiveness.

  • Participate in curriculum development and review processes to align teaching practices with educational goals.

• Extracurricular and School Involvement:

  • Participate in school-wide activities, such as faculty meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and school events.

  • Take part in extracurricular activities, as appropriate, to support student development beyond the classroom.

  • Provide supervision during out-of-classroom activities, including recess, lunch, and field trips.

• Professional Growth:

  • Attend professional development sessions, workshops, and conferences to stay current with educational trends, teaching strategies, and state/national standards.

  • Engage in self-reflection and seek feedback to continuously improve teaching practices.

  • Collaborate with colleagues to share ideas, resources, and best practices.

• Administrative and Reporting Duties:

  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records, including grades, attendance, and assessments.

  • Complete required reports and paperwork in a timely manner, including lesson plans, student evaluations, and other documentation.

  • Administer and manager standardized testing as required.

Position Requirements  

The candidate must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Ideally, candidates will be comfortable working with young students and have prior teaching experience. 

Expertise in the use of technology to enhance instruction and manage daily expectations as a team member is also needed. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have working knowledge of Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, etc.) and Microsoft Office, and be able to learn to use other applications and hardware (Seesaw, Apple TV, On Record, Blackboard, Zoom etc.).  

The ideal candidates are committed to leading and learning with a high level of engagement in anti-racist education and culturally responsive instructional practices. They will possess or demonstrate the following: a growth mindset, emotional intelligence, self-motivation, positive energy, strong interpersonal skills, a service-oriented and team approach to work, approachability, adaptability, vulnerability, openness to new and divergent ideas, excellent oral and written communication skills, and comfort in an educational setting where children and adults are present.  

All school personnel must successfully complete a fingerprint background check through Live Scan and provide current tuberculosis clearance. 

To be considered, please submit (1) your current CV/resume, (2) a cover letter detailing your interest and experience for this role, (3) your educational philosophy statement, and (4) a sample lesson plan.

About La Jolla Country Day School

La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS) is an independent coeducational day school for students in early childhood (age 3) through Grade 12, located in San Diego, California. LJCDS prides itself on identifying students, faculty and staff of exceptional character who possess a strong work ethic and desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Consistently named one of the top independent schools in San Diego, LJCDS is San Diego’s only independent school to house students from age 3 to Grade 12 on one campus. This means that every day, students walk by either who they were or who they will become. La Jolla Country Day School’s mission is to prepare individuals for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth and social responsibility. The school’s core value is dignity—the belief that every human has inherent value and self-worth.

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