Lower School Teacher

Westmark School welcomes applications from highly qualified candidates who are committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment for our students, our families, and one another.

Westmark provides a comprehensive competitive salary and benefits package for full-time employees. Our faculty and staff engage in year-round professional development opportunities to ensure that every member of the team thrives.

If you are seeking an amazing community that learns and grows together, consider a career at Westmark.

Westmark School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and job performance. School policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions (including genetic characteristics or information), sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, and local laws.

Salary Range:
$70,000–$85,000 depending on experience

Responsibilities:

• Teach structured literacy, writing, math, science, and social studies to students with language-based learning differences (LD).
• Plan, organize, and implementdevelopmentally appropriate learning experiences and classroom environments to fulfill Westmark’s mission, curricula, and programs that ensure that students find passion, purpose, and relevancy in their learning.
• Work collaboratively with the grade-level team to plan and implement curriculum.
• Use restorative and trauma-informed practices within the classroom.
• Create warm, uplifting professional relationships with students, families, and all School constituencies.
• Provide effective,consistent communication with parents/guardians and the Director of Lower School regarding students  behaviors, academic concerns, and progress.
• Write narrative progress reports and facilitate Parent-Teacher Conferences.
• Differentiate and individualize lessons to fit students’ needs.
• Submit weekly lesson plans to the Director of Lower School and maintain the class Blackbaud page.
• Integrate technology into the curriculum in line with best practices.
• Participate in the life of the School by attending assemblies, plays, sports games, concerts, faculty in-service, and other events.
• Provide supervision during lunch, recess, drop-off and pick-up, and other duties as assigned.
• Pursue professional development opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.
• Demonstrate warmth and kindness, firm expectations, knowledge of child development, and experience teaching LD students.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, special education or related field preferred.
• A, credential, graduate degree, or extensive graduate work in the field of special education or learning disabilities is preferred.
• Knowledge of or training in specific programs for reading (e.g., Orton-Gillingham Approach) writing, and/or executive functioning.
• Minimum 2-4 years of classroom teaching experience.
• Strong desire to teach LD students.
• Knowledge of multisensory teaching methodologies.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• A strong sense of empathy and high EQ.
• A growth mindset characterized by a desire to continue to develop professionally by learning research-based practices.

Physical Demands and Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit in on meetings and work on a computer for long periods of time; and is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15…