Careers

Almaden Country Day School is a special place to serve children and families and share your talents.

Teachers with passion for what they do

We seek teachers who are devoted to young people and to education, who are forthright and upbeat, eager to collaborate with their colleagues, excited to take on multiple responsibilities, and absolutely committed to the belief that a teacher’s role is to discover the gifts in every child.

In return, we offer you highly motivated, courteous, enthusiastic and hard-working students, a dynamic and positive work environment, and supportive, involved parents.

Interested in teaching at Almaden Country Day School? Please contact us at jobs@almadencountryday.org.

If ACDS sounds like your kind of school, please review the opportunities below!

Thank you for your interest in Almaden Country Day School.

Open Positions

Teacher, The Learning Center (Full-Time)

Position: Teacher, The Learning Center; full time
Effective immediately

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

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

Learning Support Coordinator (Full-Time)

Position: Learning Support Coordinator; full time (10.5 months)

Effective August 17, 2020

Overview
Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) seeks a Learning Support Coordinator. The successful candidate will embrace a student-centered teaching philosophy, demonstrate respect for childhood, and contribute to a warm, dynamic, joyful learning environment to celebrate the varied talents of every child. The ACDS curriculum includes both social-emotional and academic components supported by this role.

The Learning Support Coordinator is expected to help teachers 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.

Necessary Skills and Experience

Demonstrated success teaching in a private or public school setting
Familiarity with current best practices appropriate to early childhood, elementary and middle school learners, in the context of a developmental learning philosophy
Demonstrated success in designing and implementing differentiated instruction to meet individual student needs
Commitment to 21st Century Skills, including teamwork, creativity, problem solving, curiosity, ethics, resilience, and cultural competence
Aptitude in promoting student inquiry and collaboration
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
Teaching credential or equivalent degree

Responsibilities for Educational Leadership

Attend Instructional Support Team meetings and support all aspects of the instructional vision
Advise the Heads of Elementary & Middle School concerning curriculum revision and serve on curriculum review subcommittees
Advise the Heads of Elementary & Middle School about professional development needs and improvements to instructional practices school-wide
Help lead school-wide instructional initiatives related to differentiation and learning needs
Support school wide efforts with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Help determine and carry out professional development needs for faculty during in-service and other meeting times

Responsibilities for Instructional Support

Establish regular presence in classrooms; remain aware of overall instructional program, teaching styles, and class dynamics to build trust with colleagues
Observe classes and work with teachers to identify students needing additional support or challenge
Coach 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
Provide new teacher mentoring and coaching
Oversee report card preparation, review, and revision for enrichment teachers

Responsibilities for Learning Support Administration

Develop learning plans linked to a learning support list involving administrators, parents, and outside learning specialists as is appropriate
Maintain list of students receiving learning support for their learning challenges or in order for them to be more challenged; share list with relevant staff
Track information about the students on the learning support list and coordinate with the Heads of Elementary & Middle School, teachers, and parents to recommend outside support as necessary
Create/maintain database of recommended evaluators, specialists, & tutors
Coordinate general meetings between teachers, 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
Other duties as assigned, including temporary teaching support and responsibility for Math Lab when online instruction (Continuous Learning) is in session

Reports to: Division Heads

Position Qualifications

Minimum 5 years teaching experience in an accredited PK-8 school
Coaching and training experience
Collaborative, collegial, flexible and service-oriented mindset
Experience leading workshops and other professional development activities
Willingness and readiness to contribute to admin priorities beyond the job description, as needed

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate degree or advanced training in curriculum and instruction or instructional leadership
Experience in a progressive school setting
Experience with key programs: Reading and Writing Workshop, Bridges and CPM Math, Responsive Classroom

Almaden Country Day School is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Employment decisions are based on experience, merit and qualifications. Finalists participate in a faculty-led interview, submit references, and provide a statement of educational philosophy.

Position open until filled.

Contact: Ms. Jennine Rodriguez, Head of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Mr. Jeremy Adams, Head of Middle School
jobs@almadencountryday.org
Almaden Country Day School
6835 Trinidad Drive
San Jose, CA 95120

Substitute Teachers

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.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Almaden Country Day School employs individuals of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, physical and mental abilities and conditions, creeds, and lifestyles, and values the unique background of each employee. Almaden Country Day School will not discriminate (or tolerate discrimination by its employees or others) against any applicant or employee based on race, color, creed, sex (including gender, gender identity, and pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.