K-8 English Lead

K-8 English Lead

The K-8 English Lead is a key member of the middle school team, and will also provide critical coordination and support for our English team (K-8). This is a role that functions as a master teacher, and team coordinator and requires both excellent teaching as well as team management. The person in this role will report to the Head of the Middle School and also collaborate closely with the Head of Elementary to help ensure our program is aligned K-8.

The ideal candidate is a person who loves teaching Middle School English and enjoys mentoring other English teachers to improve their craft. Crucially, the person in this role is comfortable helping parents understand the research and philosophy of the English strand of the PKS program. The ideal candidate will also have a thorough grounding and understanding of English language literacy development and strong familiarity with programs such as Fundations, Readers and Writers Workshop, and Fountas & Pinnell Reading Assessments.

The English Lead will conduct training for teachers, workshops for parents, and provide a visionary pathway for exemplary instruction in English Language Arts. Candidates should understand neurodiversity and be committed to strengthening our students' foundational skills as well as interest in and love of reading and writing. Our diverse school values children's questions, and we are seeking someone with the experience, talent, and energy to help inspire and equip students with not only skills and fluency, but also a deep understanding of how these skills empower students as communicators and changemakers.

The position is full-time and exempt and reports to the Head of Middle School.

• Provide leadership to the school's English teachers on curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and serve as a leading voice to the community on issues of English language arts, literacy, reading, and writing
• Oversee the continuing development of our K-8 English Scope and Sequence
• Teach classes in the Middle School division, typically Grade 8, and support instruction in the classroom across all K-8 grade levels.
• Prepare High School reference letters as part of the High School Guidance process for G8 students.
• Coordinate English assessments (Fountas and Pinnell, running records, MAP, writing samples, phonics assessments) and track data for individual student growth, intervention needs, and program strengths and needs

• Work directly with the Learning Specialist to coordinate and communicate accommodations for individual students, and assist parents in identifying resources and tools when outside English literacy support is needed
• Assist in hiring and onboarding new English teachers and assistant teachers, including training on curriculum and instructional expectations.

• Outstanding English teacher with experience teaching grades K-8.
• Willingness to understand how Mandarin immersion education works, and that Mandarin literacy and English literacy can support each other
• Ability to integrate theory with practice in designing and implementing appropriate learning strategies for K-8 students
• A commitment to professional development and a growth mindset about learning for adults. We believe that everyone can improve and should continually work toward excellence
• Strong commitment and track record with student-centered teaching, project-based learning, and performance-based assessment
• Strong written and oral communication skills and collaboration skills, and an ability to effectively discuss literacy development generally and in a bilingual/ language immersion setting
• Willingness to model professional and ethical standards when working with students, teachers, and families. We are a warm and friendly community that works with respect for each other
• The desire and ability to contribute to student and community life inside and outside the classroom. PKS is a community and our close relationships build a solid foundation for our kids
• A commitment to social justice and multicultural education. As a progressive school, we are growing engaged global citizens equipped with empathy, compassion and practices that…