Careers

Position: Learning Support Coordinator

Overview

Almaden Country Day School seeks a full-time (10.5-month) Learning Support Coordinator (LSC). This is an administrative position serving children in preschool through grade 8. The LSC provides interventions and helps teachers work effectively with students who need remediation or additional challenge. The LSC also works with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and outside services to provide students with evaluation, guidance, and resources. The LSC observes and interacts firsthand with students, providing one-on-one and small group assistance and collaborating with teachers to help them build their instructional repertoires and ability to differentiate. The LSC helps advance the school’s mission by extending the faculty’s ability to cultivate the gifts in every child.


Instructional Support

• Establish a regular presence in classrooms and maintain awareness of the overall instructional program, teaching styles, and class dynamics in order to build trust with colleagues

• Observe classes and work with teachers to identify students needing additional support or challenge

• Assist teachers in identifying and offering support for children in need of additional scaffolds or extensions

• Help teachers develop activities that meet individual student learning needs and support student learning plans

• Work directly with individual and/or small groups of students to identify and help meet their learning needs
• Assist with new teacher mentoring and coaching during new curriculum adoptions or initiatives


Educational Leadership

• Attend Instructional Leadership meetings and support all aspects of the instructional vision

• Advise the Heads of ECE/Elementary & Middle concerning curriculum revision and serve on curriculum review subcommittees

• Advise the Heads of ECE/Elementary & Middle about professional development needs and improvements to instructional practices school-wide

• Lead professional development about differentiation of instruction.

• Help lead school-wide instructional initiatives 

• Help determine and carry out professional development needs for faculty during inservice and other meeting times


Learning Support Administration

• Maintain and share with relevant staff the learning support list of students receiving learning support for their learning challenges or in order for them to be more challenged

• Track information about the students on the learning support list and coordinate with the Heads of ECE/Elementary & Middle, teachers, and parents to recommend outside support as necessary 
• Maintain a database of recommended outside evaluators, specialists, and tutors

• Coordinate general meetings between teachers, outside learning specialists and students (as appropriate) to support student learning at the beginning of the school year and throughout the year as needed

• When needed, lead or co-lead Student Success Team (SST) interventions and attend meetings with parents to share observations and recommendations. 
• Develop learning support plans for students requiring more extensive accommodations / modification as part of the SST process.

• Other duties as assigned


Specific Abilities Sought

• Familiar with a range of student learning needs and challenges, sufficient to assist teachers with preliminary identification of learning differences; ability to interpret results of learning assessments and provide relevant referral support for parents

• Skillful at instructional coaching to provide support for teachers

• Adept at facilitating meetings between parents, teachers, learning specialists and students


Required Qualifications and Qualities

• 5 or more years’ teaching experience at the PK-8 level

• Child-centered, developmental, progressive orientation

• Experience in an educational setting similar to ACDS: developmental philosophy, PK-8, wide student ability range

• Extensive knowledge of current practice: child development, instructional research, differentiation, motivation, assessment, learning differences, STEM, 21st century skills

• Proficiency and comfort with relevant educational technology

• Experience with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work

• Experience with curriculum mapping and curriculum development (including backward design)

• Highly collaborative leadership style

• Demonstrated oral and written communication skill, and propensity for regular and open communications

• Creative, energetic, patient, and intentionally-inviting demeanor

• Optimism and sense of humor

• Desire to learn and actively pursue professional growth to benefit ACDS


Preferred Qualifications and Qualities

• Experience working directly with students across a wide range of learning needs and abilities, including high achievers

• Literacy or math specialist endorsement, or graduate degree with specialization in curriculum and instruction, literacy, or mathematics

• Skillful at reading assessment and remediation to serve children reading below grade level, and to advise their teachers

• Knowledgeable and resourceful in providing math remediation and challenge at all levels through Algebra
• Prior experience as an academic leader/coach/administrator

• Experience/familiarity with Google Apps For Education (GAFE)


Overview of Almaden Country Day School

Almaden Country Day School is an independent, pre-K 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 in a high-opportunity, low-stress environment, and when instruction is age-appropriate, highly individualized, and joyful.

We serve 360 students with an average of 20 students per class. Our graduates are prepared for a rigorous high school experience. It is not unusual for half of the students in an ACDS graduating class to be accepted into high school with academic distinction or honors placement. Approximately 25 percent of the student body receives tuition aid.

ACDS strives to develop well-rounded children, with all students taking drama, foreign language, physical education, music, and art, and in the middle school, extensive choices for dozens of elective classes. The school’s signature enrichment programs, hands-on science featuring an outdoor classroom, and a robust integrated technology program all contribute to our emphasis on whole-child instruction. 

ACDS 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.  

We seek educators who are well versed in developmental pedagogy and differentiated teaching methods, and who are committed to providing individualized attention to our students and parents. A collaborative work style and a receptive attitude toward cooperative efforts are required in our small school. All positions involve additional required duties, such as playground and lunch supervision, chaperoning field trips, and more. Administrators are occasionally called to serve as temporary substitute teachers.

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

To apply, please send letter of interest, résumé, and 3 or more professional references to:
        
        jobs@almadencountryday.org

        or to

    Dr. Ole Jorgenson, Head of School
    Almaden Country Day School
        6835 Trinidad Drive
        San Jose, CA 95120

Interviews begin immediately and this position remains open until filled.

Contact:  Dr. Ole Jorgenson at ojorgenson@almadencountryday.org
 

Position: Science Teacher (K-2 and Middle School Electives)
Effective: August 2021


Overview
Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) curricula include social-emotional and academic components in the homeroom and the enrichment classes. Teachers embrace a student-centered teaching philosophy, demonstrate respect for childhood, and establish a warm, dynamic, joyful learning environment to celebrate the varied talents of every child.


Teachers are expected to differentiate instruction and meet a wide range of student abilities, needs, and readiness levels. Essential 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.


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, high personal and professional standards, solid communication skills, and eagerness to grow as a teacher.


Requirements

• Demonstrated success teaching science content

• Knowledge of and experience with implementing Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

• Familiarity with current best practices in the context of a developmental learning philosophy

• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing differentiated instruction to meet individual student needs

• Refine and adjust the current science curriculum as needed

• Commitment to 21st Century Skills, including teamwork, creativity, problem solving, curiosity, ethics, resilience, and cultural competence

• Aptitude in and passion for promoting hands-on, minds-on, student inquiry, collaboration, and inspiring a love of the sciences

• Demonstrated success integrating technology as an instructional tool

• Collaborative work style 

• Evidence of ongoing professional development and desire to grow

• Personal characteristics: passion for working with children, optimism, flexibility, patience, joyfulness, sense of humor

• Commitment to using culturally competent teaching practices and curricula that represent Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Teaching credential or equivalent degree


Responsibilities

• Instruction in K-2 science (all year) and Middle School science electives (on a trimester basis)

• Collaborate with homeroom and other enrichment teachers on vertical alignment and horizontal integration

• Recess, lunch and/or afternoon carpool duties as assigned

• Participation in community events, including but not limited to: Blacktop Bash, Auction Soireé, student plays, etc.

• Willingness to carry out other duties and responsibilities beyond the classroom, as expected of all faculty

• Other duties as assigned


Preferred Qualifications

• A degree or teaching credential in one of the sciences or related field 

• Experience teaching various content areas and grade levels

• Expertise in project-based learning

• Familiarity with Responsive Classroom
• Gardening knowledge and experience


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. An important part of 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.


Almaden Country Day School is an equal opportunity employer. ACDS seeks to create a diverse faculty and staff that reflects our larger community and world. Employment decisions are based on experience, merit and qualifications. Finalists will be asked to teach a demonstration lesson, participate in a faculty-led interview, submit references, and provide a statement of educational philosophy. 


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


To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to:


Jennine Rodriguez
Head of Early Childhood & Elementary Education

FLEXIBLE OPTIONS
Almaden Country Day School seeks both in-person and online substitute teachers, serving preschool through eighth grade. 

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, with substitute teachers work hours from 7:45 am - 3:15 pm.

QUALITIES WE SEEK
Teachers at Almaden Country Day School understand and appreciate children’s developmental stages and have 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. 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.

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

To apply, send cover letter and resume to Jennine Rodriguez at jrodriguez@almadencountryday.org or:

Jennine Rodriguez, Head of Early Childhood and Elementary
Almaden Country Day School
6835 Trinidad Drive
San Jose, CA 95120

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

Position: Teacher, The Learning Center; full time
Effective 2021 academic school year

Overview

Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) is seeking a full-time teacher for The Learning Center (TLC) at ACDS. 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 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.

Ideally, candidates will be trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of instruction. Otherwise, ACDS will cover the costs of this training. Teachers are expected to complete all training with fidelity.
 

Requirements/Responsibilities

• Demonstrated success in teaching children in an elementary or middle school setting; 5 year minimum
• Demonstrated success in working with children with language-based learning differences
• Experience with multisensory math instruction
• 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
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and desire to grow as an educator
• Demonstrated commitment to a collaborative work style
• Expertise in classroom management based on positive relationships
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and expertise with project-based learning
• Competence using a workshop model for Reading and Writing
• Experience teaching Bridges Math
• Familiarity with Responsive Classroom

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. 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 continue exploring our website.

If you are a master teacher, passionate about children, and prepared to work with amazing young people and dedicated peers, please contact us. This position remains 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 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 crobb@almadencountryday.org