Lower School Spanish Teacher JK​/SK

Latin School of Chicago is seeking an experienced teacher for a combination role of Lower School Spanish Lead Teacher for Junior and Senior Kindergarten / In-House Substitute Teacher . This is a full-time position with two parts:
Less than 50% as Lower School Spanish Teacher for JK and SK, and the majority as floating, in-house substitute.

Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas . Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a passion for teaching and supporting students in an outstanding academic environment.

A teacher at Latin aims to provide students with an authentic, hands-on, interactive, and collaborative learning experience.

• Develop, implement, and continually review age-appropriate Spanish curriculum to nurture and stimulate children’s interest.
• Collaborate with homeroom teachers and specialist teachers to integrate Spanish and support learning throughout the lower school
• Collaborate with Spanish teacher(s) of older children on scaffolding a cohesive curriculum sequence from JK through 4th grade.
• Provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children's learning and growth
• Perform assigned tasks outside of teaching Spanish such as lunch or recess duty, faculty meetings, and committee fulfillments
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the children’s background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into daily instruction
• Assess student progress towards learning targets, objectives, expectations, and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, and administration
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members by communicating in a tactful, courteous, and confidential manner
• Attend and participate in all aspect of lower school life (grade level meetings, vertical team meetings, assemblies, parent communication, divisional and cross-divisional meetings)
• Actively participate in on-going embedded professional development and professional learning communities
• Meet the needs of the whole child and support the social/emotional growth of all students
• Manage student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment
• Maintain a safe, organized classroom, which supports students’ independent learning, collaboration and choice

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and 3-5 years teaching experience, ideally in a lower school setting, are required. A Master’s degree in Education is preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience teaching elementary-aged students.
• Experience delivering hands-on curriculum.
• Successful experience implementing a communicative approach and a variety of second-language acquisition methodologies

• Native or near-native language skills and ability to appropriately facilitate classes in the target language
• Knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures and experience living abroad
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students
• Able to independently manage, monitor, and safely transition 20 – 25 students.
• Well-versed in educational technology; ability to fully embed technology into the instructional program
• Experience designing curriculum using ACTFL Standards and proficiency targets
• Experience implementing Responsive Classroom approach to teaching
• Positive, enthusiastic outlook
• Flexible and eager to work with others. Diplomatic, collaborative, and proactive.
• Creative problem poser and solver
• Experience using or familiarity with the ACTFL Standards and Proficiency Guidelines to structure and assess student learning
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion of students and fellow faculty
• Able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and unexpected situations
• Ability to reliably attend to and support students throughout the day.
• Maintain assessment records and write individual student grade reports for JK/SK

• Able to stand and walk for long periods at a time
• Able to climb multiple flights of stairs
• Able to lift and move up to 20 lbs.
• Able to speak clearly so listeners can understand; able to understand others
• Able to see details of people and objects more than a few feet away
• Able to complete fine motor tasks neatly