Middle Way School Lead Elementary Teacher | Job Description 

Overview

The Middle Way School (MWS), pioneering a new model of education based on the best in education research and enhanced by the wisdom and compassion of Buddhist wisdom traditions, is hiring a Lead Elementary Teacher. Master teachers with deep understanding of childhood development are the pillars of this education. We are carefully building our faculty to accommodate growing enrollment. In the 2019-2020 school year, MWS will have students in grades Pre-K to 3. Our elementary lead teacher is responsible for co-creating, evaluating, and implementing, curricula in cooperation with the Head of School and other teachers in the school. Lead teachers are responsible for supporting students’ development in all areas including social, emotional and physical, math, reading, writing, social studies, handwriting and spelling. Lead teachers also assesses students’ progress and report to parents on a regular basis. MWS is located on five acres of forested land. It is an uplifted, dynamic, environment to work, with daily meditation and ample professional support. We seek seasoned teachers who know how to meet conventional outcomes in unconventional ways and who have the skillful means to differentiate in ways that help meet students exactly where they are academically. Applicants must have a deep interest in the Middle Way view and openness to manifest it through presence and pedagogy. Being a practicing Buddhist is not necessary, however, an understanding of Buddhist principles and terminology and experience in Buddhist practices is appreciated.

Responsibilities

  • Creating a positive, nurturing classroom community
  • Setting up and maintaining an organized and inviting classroom environment
  • Developing curriculum including unit and lesson plans
  • Providing differentiated instruction to support and challenge students across academic subjects
  • Maintaining frequent contact with parents including a weekly newsletter
  • Writing reports and leading parent-teacher conferences twice each year
  • Supporting and training of interns/assistants
  • Developing, planning and supervising field trips
  • Attending staff meetings
  • Conducting home visits for new students
  • Planning and participating in seasonal celebrations and events
  • Supervising two recess periods each day
  • Participating in monthly Community Meetings
  • Participating in the admissions process
  • Maintaining a daily contemplative practice 
  • Pursuing ongoing professional development
  • Participating in summer curriculum development and environment work

Core Competencies

  • Knowledge of current best practices in elementary education, including play-based learning, early childhood development, mindfulness and social emotional learning. 
  • Background in progressive education and constructivist theory and ability to put it into practice.
  • Knowledge, understanding, and use of active learning strategies to support a range of learners
  • Ability to creatively integrate and adapt curriculum to engage learners
  • A creative and rigorous approach to information gathering and analysis, ability to understand broad ideas and synthesize
  • Clear communication – excellent command of written and spoken English.
  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team – especially when it is necessary to facilitate change, overcome an impasse, face an issue, or ensure that decisions are made.

Qualities

  • A passion for education and carrying out the vision and mission of Middle Way
  • A love and understanding of children and early childhood development
  • An interest in personal and professional growth
  • Openness to the teachings of the Buddhadharma
  • Flexible, open minded, adaptable, patient with change
  • Able to work independently and in teams
  • Practical and resourceful
  • Able to see the merits of perspectives other than his/her own; openness to different and new ways of doing things
  • Reliable and respectful of deadlines
  • Humor!

Required Education/Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in grade level

Physical Capabilities

  • A high level of stamina
  • Ability to lift 25-30 lbs. 
  • Ability to move, see, hear, and speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety.

Term and Compensation

  • We are hiring for the 2019-20 school year. Compensation commensurate upon experience.

How to Apply:

  • The Middle Way School actively seeks applications from the most capable, professional candidates. Please contact Noa Jones at [email protected] or 845-272-0141 for more information and an application form.