Lead Lower Elementary Educator (1st & 2nd Grade) - Terra School at Serenbe : Job Details

Employment Type: Full-Time, Benefits Eligible

Months Worked Per School Year: 10

Work Days/Hours: M-F, 7:45 am- 3:45 pm, occasional after-school and weekend work

Start Date: August 2024

School: Terra School at Serenbe

Terra School is in Serenbe, an idyllic community nestled among preserved forests and meadows in South Fulton county. Just 45 minutes outside of Atlanta, we opened our new campus in August, 2023 with state-of-art 1500 square foot classrooms and attached outdoor learning spaces. As a community-based STEAM school, we serve families from a range of cities and towns in Fulton, Coweta, Carroll and Fayette counties.

We currently have 205 students and offer programs spanning from 8 weeks through 12th grade. Our goal is to nurture students who thrive in a diverse and ever-evolving world, equipped with resilience, intellectual humility, an ethical compass, and boundless curiosity.

Position: Elementary Educator for Grades 1 & 2

Terra School is searching for an experienced First and Second Grade Educator who is responsible for creating a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment where young learners can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This role involves planning and delivering age-appropriate lessons aligned with Terra School curriculum standards, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, use of project-based learning, and supporting students' developmental milestones. Our elementary school operates with a focus on individualized instruction within multi-age classrooms, emphasizing autonomy, challenges, growth and individual achievement.

Responsibilities:

Instructional Planning and Delivery

• Develop and implement multi-age lesson plans that align with the Terra School curriculum and address diverse student learning styles and needs.
• Teach foundational subjects, including reading, writing, grammar, math, science, and social studies, in engaging and interactive ways.
• Utilize hands-on activities, Montessori works, games, and technology to enhance learning experiences.

Classroom Management

• Establish and maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes autonomy, respect and cooperation.
• Manage student behavior using positive reinforcement and consistent classroom routines.
• Able to multitask: managing small groups, whole group, individualized teaching and learning stations/centers

Student Assessment and Support

• Assess students' academic progress and development through formal and informal methods.
• Provide individualized support and interventions for students who need additional help.
• Communicate with parents/guardians about student progress and ways to support learning at home.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with an assistant lower elementary teacher to enhance instructional practices and curriculum development.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in early childhood education.

Additional Duties

• Supervise students during outdoor time, lunch, and other non-classroom times.
• Prepare classroom materials and maintain a clean, organized learning environment.
• Be a self-starter, committed to putting in the work and pitching in where needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree or Higher in Education or a related field
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• A passion for learning and a desire to develop a knowledge of current best practices in elementary education.
• Experience with Canvas. HMH, SEE Learning, and MAP testing, a plus
• Love and understanding of children and early childhood.
• Experience working with early readers and math students.
• Trained in Orton-Gillingham and/or willingness to be trained in the Summer
• Trained by PBL Works and/or willingness to be trained in the Summer
• Understanding of Montessori Curriculum and/or willingness to be trained in the Summer
• Experience in an independent school environment or a non-traditional teaching experience
• Knowledge, understanding, and successful exhibition of learning strategies to support all students, with skills in integrating curriculum.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to create a positive, nurturing environment for all students.
• Comfort with technology and online learning platforms.

Salary & Benefits

Terra School offers employee benefits that include

• Competitive compensation based on educational attainment and years experience in education.
• We operate on a ten-month calendar, with organized sessions aligned with local public and private schools.
• Educators will have time off during seasonal breaks and in the summer.
• Health insurance that includes vision, dental, long term disability and life insurance.
• Professional development funding.
• Child tuition discounts.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Explore our website to gain insights into our vibrant community. If you find a position that aligns with your passion and expertise, we invite you to submit your application. Interested candidates should provide a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Kara Adler, Admissions & Hiring Coordinator ([email protected]). Feel free to include any additional supporting documents that would help us better understand your qualifications and suitability for the role.

Upon reviewing each applicant's materials, we will contact selected candidates for a phone interview. Following the initial phone interviews, we will choose candidates to proceed to on-campus interviews. Depending on the position, the on-campus interview may involve discussions with administrators and faculty members, a 10-minute mini-lesson presentation, and classroom observations. Visiting our campus is a crucial aspect of our interview process, providing candidates with a firsthand experience of what it's like to work and teach at Terra.

Terra School at Serenbe is committed to equal opportunity employment. We do not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws. We encourage a diverse pool of candidates to apply, and we look forward to welcoming individuals who share our commitment to creating an inclusive educational environment.