Lower School Associate Teacher

About Burke’s

Burke's is an independent K-8 gender-inclusive all-girls’ school located on a 3.5-acre campus in San Francisco. Burke’s is one of California’s leading elementary schools with a 112-year tradition of educational excellence. Our mission is to educate, encourage, and empower girls. The school combines strong academic and co-curricular programs with an emphasis on project-based learning and personal growth in a diverse and inclusive community.

We emphasize the development of fundamental and higher-level critical thinking skills in an atmosphere of creativity, exploration, academic rigor, and joyful learning.

Burke’s Teaching Institute is a two-year program that provides on-campus training for our Associate Teachers. Through regular pedagogical workshops, we provide Associate Teachers with information about teaching methods, curriculum development, assessment, and classroom management skills. Associate Teachers are partnered with Lead Teachers who play a vital role in helping the Associate develop teaching skills. By observing and working with our experienced teachers and participating in the life of the school, Associates gain valuable experience as well as opportunities to develop their own philosophy and teaching style.

The Associate Teaching position is a 2-year position. Burke’s has one Associate Teaching position in each Lower School classroom. Having Associate Teachers allows us to increase the small group attention that we offer in our Lower School classrooms and to provide opportunities for people interested in becoming educators to experience working in a K-8 independent school. In addition, Associate Teachers are expected to be enrolled in a credential or masters program by the beginning of their second year.

Our robust and ongoing, job-embedded professional development program for Associate Teachers prepares individuals for successful teaching after their Burke’s experience. Examples of recent Teaching Institute topics and discussions include Social-Emotional Life of Girls, Exploring Anti-Racist Curriculum and System Inequalities, Supporting Diverse Learning Styles, Responsive Classroom Philosophy and Strategies, and Preparing Resumes and Interview Skills. In addition, each year we choose a book to examine closely.

Some titles we have read are Happy Teacher Revolution, Limitless Mind, Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain, Through Other Eyes, and Identity Safe Classrooms.

• Support the Lead Classroom Teacher, including planning, teaching, assessing, managing the classroom, and communicating with families
• Maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning, at the direction of and in partnership with the Lead Classroom Teacher
• Participate in supervision of students across grade levels, including recess, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Actively participate in Burke’s Teaching Institute program
• Perform the responsibilities of the Lead Teacher Position during a Lead Teacher's absence
• Participate in regular meetings to support the work of the classroom, student learning and behavior, and the broader work of the school

Below are the personal and professional qualities that we believe are important for the success of the person in this role. Unless specifically noted as a prerequisite for the role, these qualifications and skills are preferred. We know many candidates bring a full complement of experience, skills, and ideas, even if they don’t check every box of a job description. If you meet many of our criteria, please don’t hesitate to apply.

Every application gets serious consideration, including those with skill sets that we may not have included here. We welcome all applicants who will bring a unique perspective and personal characteristics to our amazing team.

• A responsible, mature, nurturing, enthusiastic, and dedicated person with a strong desire to teach in a kindergarten through third grade classroom
• Undergraduate degree, with a commitment to pursue a teaching credential or master's degree within the two years at Burke’s
• Possess strength in and commitment to girls’ and social justice education
• Prior…