Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) is seeking two full-time, Orton-Gillingham trained teachers for The Learning Center (TLC) at ACDS (grades 2 and 6). The specialized curriculum includes language arts, math, social studies, and social-emotional learning, all taught in a multisensory way, meeting the needs of our bright students with language-based learning differences. The successful candidate will demonstrate respect for childhood and will celebrate the talents and strengths of every child he or she teaches. Teachers in TLC are expected to be fully trained in the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach, able to individualize instruction, and to meet a wide range of student abilities, needs, and readiness levels. Essential to success in TLC at ACDS is patience, precision in instruction, and an understanding and appreciation of children’s developmental stages. Teachers must also deliberately focus on building relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. The successful finalist will want to be part of a working and learning environment in which colleagues collaborate for the benefit of our students and families; we value cooperation and integration. He or she will provide evidence of high personal and professional standards, communication skills, and eagerness to grow as a teacher. Additionally, the successful candidate will collaborate and plan daily after school with the rest of the TLC team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of and experience with project-based learning
• Experience facilitating learning in a maker space
• Demonstrated experience using adaptive technology

REQUIREMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrated success in teaching children in an elementary or middle school setting; 8 year minimum
• Fully trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, or comparable approaches including Slingerland and Wilson
• Experience with multisensory math instruction
• Demonstrated success in working with children with language-based learning differences
• Familiarity with current best practices in the context of a developmental learning philosophy
• Commitment to teaching 21st Century Skills, including teamwork, creativity, problem solving, curiosity, ethics, and resilience
• Aptitude in promoting student inquiry and collaboration
• Demonstrated success in integrating technology as an instructional tool
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and desire to grow as an educator
• Demonstrated commitment to a collaborative work style
• Personal characteristics: passion for working with children, optimism, flexibility, patience, joyfulness, humor, commitment to personal and professional growth
• Willingness to carry out other duties and responsibilities beyond the classroom, as expected of all faculty

Overview of Almaden Country Day School

Almaden Country Day School is an independent, preschool through 8th grade school located in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. The school's mission is to “discover the gifts in every child.” ACDS promotes the belief that children learn best when instruction is age-appropriate, highly individualized, and joyful.

The Learning Center is a program within our school for bright children with language-based learning differences. They are ACDS students, fully-integrated members of our school community. Like all ACDS students, they have a homeroom teacher for language arts, math, social studies, and social-emotional learning. In TLC classes, there is a 4:1 ratio with a master teacher fully trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach. TLC students join their grade-level peers for science, music, art, PE, and drama. They participate in after-school sports, clubs, and overnight field trips. TLC students enjoy a balanced approach: a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio in academic classes with greater social opportunities in enrichment classes (ratio of 20:1). We see TLC as a transitional program, expecting students to move to general education when they are ready. For more information about TLC, please visit the school website.

ACDS strives to develop well-rounded young people, with all students taking art, drama, foreign language, physical education, music, and in the middle school, more than 30 choices for elective classes. The school’s signature enrichment programs, hands-on science featuring an outdoor classroom, a robust integrated technology program, a designated maker space (“The Imaginarium”), and a strong fine and performing arts program all contribute to the emphasis on balanced, whole-child instruction at ACDS. TLC students participate in all of these opportunities, other than foreign language.

Our parents are very committed to the school and follow the progress of their children carefully. Teachers are held to high expectations for meeting the needs of our children and families and work cooperatively with parents at all times. TLC teachers must understand and embrace the unique concerns of our parents.

For more information about Almaden Country Day School, candidates are encouraged to peruse our website.

If you are a master teacher, trained in Orton-Gillingham, passionate about children, and prepared to work with amazing young people and dedicated peers, please contact us. These positions remain open until filled.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to crobb@almadencountryday.org

or

Cecilia Robb, Director of The Learning Center
Almaden Country Day School
6835 Trinidad Drive San Jose, CA 95120

Finalists will be asked to spend two days on campus, share a lesson plan of a lesson previously taught, teach a demonstration lesson, participate in a faculty-led interview, and submit a writing sample.

Contact: Cecilia Robb, Director of The Learning Center

Posted: February 5, 2018

Job Description

Almaden Country Day School is seeking early childhood, elementary, and middle school substitute teachers. Substitutes must have some classroom experience. Core classes include language arts/literature, math, and social studies; specialists teach science, PE, art, music, French, and Spanish. Lesson plans will be available.

Scheduling

At times, teachers know in advance that they will be absent, and at other times, there is no advanced notice. Substitutes are not expected to be available at all times. Additionally, substitutes are invited to clarify which grades and content areas they prefer teaching. The school day is from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Qualities We Seek

The key to success at Almaden Country Day School is an understanding and appreciation of children’s developmental stages and a deliberate focus on building relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. All teachers, including substitutes, are expected to interact with students in a respectful and nurturing way.

All faculty and staff, including substitutes, demonstrate high personal and professional standards, communication ability, and eagerness to grow. Substitutes will enjoy the same respect as shown to our faculty, and will value a cooperative learning environment in which colleagues work together for the benefit of the students.

Requirements/Responsibilities

• Substitutes teaching in our preschool and junior kindergarten classes must have a minimum of 12 ECE units, as required by the State of California
• Teaching credentials are preferred, and not required
• Demonstrated success in working with Early Childhood, elementary, and/or middle school students
• Demonstrated ability to interact with students in a respectful, joyful, and nurturing way
• Willingness and ability to follow lesson plans, as left by the teacher
• Ability to be flexible and adjust plans, per the needs of the students at a given time
• Understanding of the benefits of teaching 21st Century Skills, including teamwork, creativity, problem solving, curiosity, ethics, and resilience

Compensation: $160/day

Overview of Almaden Country Day School
Almaden Country Day School is an independent, preschool through 8th grade private school located in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. The school's mission is to "discover the gifts in every child." ACDS promotes the belief that children learn best when instruction is age-appropriate, highly individualized, and joyful.

Many of our substitute teachers are an important part of our school community. Some have joined our faculty having demonstrated exceptional performance.

If you are a dynamic and caring educator, passionate about children, and prepared to work with amazing young people and wonderful peers, please contact us.

To apply, send cover letter and resume to Cecilia Robb at crobb@almadencountryday.org or:

Cecilia Robb, Assistant Head of School
Almaden Country Day School
6835 Trinidad Dr.
San Jose, CA 95120

Interviews for open positions begin immediately and remain open until filled.