Effective: August 2020
Job Description Overview:
Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) is seeking two full-time teachers for The Learning Center (TLC) at ACDS (elementary and 7th grades). 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.
ACDS will cover the costs of training teachers in the Orton-Gillingham method of instruction. 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
- 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
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using the Orton-Gillingham approach
- Knowledge of and experience with project-based learning
- Experience facilitating learning in a maker space
- Demonstrated experience using adaptive technology
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 click here.
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.
If you are a master teacher, 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 crobb@almadencountryday.org
Almaden Country Day School is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications. ACDS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
