Innovation Teacher: Lower School/Guest Teacher (2023-24)

Innovation Teacher Position Overview (50%)
Woodland School seeks an inspiring and nurturing Part-Time Lower School Innovation Teacher. The program incorporates a hands-on, problem-solving approach that unlocks students' creativity and fosters critical thinking. Students gain core competency in basic design thinking and have increased opportunity to expand their technology aptitude through exposure to robotics, programming, 3-D modeling, and maker skills. Through the Innovation Lab program, Woodland students learn "how to think", and how to become more resourceful, experimental, collaborative, and empathetic. Skills and competencies become more intricate and sophisticated as students advance through the lower-school grades and as they prepare for innovation and design work in 4th grade and beyond.
Skills and Responsibilities
Woodland School expects that a Lower School Innovation teacher will fulfill the following duties as part of their daily responsibilities & curriculum:

• Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that honors and nurtures every child's individual identity.
• Differentiate instruction for a range of abilities and interest levels in order to provide a student-centered, hands-on approach to learning.
• Employ a variety of instructional media, materials, and tools in the I-Lab.
• Be willing to lead conversations with students on safe and smart digital citizenship.
• Teach coding fundamentals through unplugged and application-based exercises, such Code.org, Scratch Jr./Scratch, Dash robot, and Blockly.
• Create animated stories and multimedia projects that incorporate text and images.
• Introduce students to a design process in which they assess users' needs and create solutions responsively.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees, as needed.
• Assess and document the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provide progress reports as required.
• Maintain ongoing collaboration with colleagues and partner with teachers to support integrated, cross-disciplinary learning opportunities for students.
• Exhibit professional behavior, including discretion, good judgment, and integrity are essential.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

Guest Teacher Position Overview (50%)
Woodland School is seeking guest teachers for its K-8th grade campus. The guest teacher works under the direction of the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Growth to teach in the absence of classroom teachers or specialists (science, music, art, design & tech, Spanish, or physical education). The successful guest teacher will be culturally competent and able to foster a safe, nurturing environment for children in the absence of the homeroom teacher or specialist.
Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual's voice, intellect, and character. With rich content and an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-driven projects, students are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students' innate sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School. Teachers craft meaningful, multisensory learning experiences which enable creativity, ingenuity, and deep interdisciplinary connections. Students explore and develop complex understandings that engender a sense of self and purpose in the world. Woodland School's faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school-stewardship, integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, and respect.
Guest Teacher Position Specifics

1. Instruct lessons, implement regular routines, and supervise all duties according to the classroom or specialist teacher's plans.
2. Establish and practice rules for behavior and routines for keeping up students' focus and energy.
3. Instruct students individually and in groups, using various and creative teaching methods.
4. Provide support for students with learning differences via needed accommodations as outlined in lesson plans.
5. Implement administrative policies and rules governing students.
6. Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement instruction.
7. Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injuries and damage.
8. Provide a written report at the end of the day to communicate with the teacher about the day's events.
9. Sign in and out with front office staff upon arrival and at any point of departure from campus.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
We seek a dynamic teacher who inspires students and who works collaboratively and creatively with colleagues in various curricular areas and divisions. Candidates should be passionate about teaching and have a love for the students.

• Bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate or credential or equivalent professional experience which would translate to successful classroom teaching. Advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Collaborates well with colleagues of diverse backgrounds on pedagogical approaches, curricular alignment and instructional strategies.
• Promotes the use of multiple methods in solving problems, identifying more efficient strategies and generalizing principles to a broad variety of applications.
• Encourages collaborative teamwork in the classroom, teaching students to communicate effectively and thoughtfully, justify their reasoning and to consider multiple perspectives when solving problems.
• Invests in the life of the school by participating in Woodland's SEL program, weekly department meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings, anti-bias training, and any and all aspects that support the student experience.
• Demonstrated professional behavior, including discretion, judgment and integrity.
• Effectively interacts with a diverse population of students and faculty.
• All prospective employees must be able to clear a background check, LiveScan fingerprinting and TB screening.

Overview of Woodland School
Located just west of Stanford University, Woodland is an independent day school that offers a joyful approach to learning in a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for approximately 300 students in early childhood through eighth grade. We have two sections of each grade level K- 8 with class sizes that average from 14-18 per class.
Woodland School specializes in education that inspires students by nurturing each individual's voice, intellect, and character. With rich content and an emphasis on inquiry-based and student-driven projects, students are empowered and encouraged to be active and engaged learners. Our students' sense of wonder is the foundation of learning at Woodland School. Teachers craft meaningful, multisensory learning experiences which enable creativity, ingenuity, and deep interdisciplinary connections. Students explore and develop complex understandings that engender a sense of self and purpose in the world.
Woodland School's faculty create a school environment that is as supportive and nurturing as it is challenging, and they embody the core values of the school - stewardship, integrity, curiosity, resilience, equity, and respect. Our teachers apply best practices through collaboration, integrated curriculum, brain-based teaching and learning methods, and continued professional development. Our teachers are themselves learners, constantly searching for ways to improve their practice. A robust professional development program supports our faculty by connecting them to the best practices in pedagogy, curriculum development, educational technology, and student assessment.
Woodland School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The position can be physically demanding. Reasonable accommodations may be made if requested in advance.
Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for a minimum of three references.
Salary
Salary range is $66,500-$81,500, depending on qualifications.
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.
Woodland School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin in the administration of its educational or admission policies, financial aid distribution, or other school programs. Woodland School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity.