Effective August 2021
Overview:
Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) is seeking full-time elementary teachers for The Learning Center (TLC) at ACDS. TLC is a program within the school designed to meet the needs of bright students with dyslexia, or other language-based learning differences. Classes are taught in groups of 4 students with a master teacher.
Essential to success in TLC at ACDS is patience, precision in instruction, and an understanding and appreciation of children’s developmental stages, strengths, and challenges. 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 collaborative environment. He or she will provide evidence of high personal and professional standards, communication skills, and eagerness to grow as a teacher.
The specialized curriculum includes language arts, math, social studies, and social-emotional learning. All are taught using a multi-sensory approach. Students are fully integrated in the general education program for science, art, music, PE, and drama.
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
- Patience and positive attitude
- 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
- Evidence of ongoing professional development and desire to grow as an educator
- Demonstrated commitment to a collaborative work style
- Openness to growing in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
- Personal characteristics: passion for working with children, optimism, flexibility, patience, joyfulness, commitment to personal and professional growth
- Willingness to carry out other duties and responsibilities beyond the classroom, as expected of all faculty
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated success in working with children with language-based learning differences
- Experience with multisensory math instruction
- Experience using the Orton-Gillingham Approach
- Knowledge of and experience with project-based learning
- 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. 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 or reach out to Cecilia Robb.
ACDS strives to develop well-rounded young people, with all students taking art, drama, foreign language, physical education, music, and in the middle school, nearly 50 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. Additional work in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) also contributes to the student and faculty experience.
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 explore 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. 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
In consideration of the current health concerns, initial interviewing will be held online. Finalists will be asked to submit a hand-written statement of educational philosophy.
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.
