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Form of workJob Description
POSITION: Lower School Associate Teacher (Grade 1)
REPORTS TO: Lower School Director, Jessica Peters
REPORTING LOCATION: Palo Alto Campus at 3233 Cowper Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm; and some nights and weekends for school events, as required.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
An Associate Teacher at Khan Lab School requires a teacher who is also adept at inhabiting the role of a learner, demonstrating skills of observation and inquiry, and who loves to teach and guide children as they learn and play. The teacher in this position is expected to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of their teaching duties.
This position reports to the Lower School Director and includes partnering with a teaching team and wider school community in support of the school’s mission and vision. This role also requires a teacher who has experience teaching in a mastery-based environment and/or who is curious and open to implementing mastery-based instruction and assessment and who is comfortable guiding students in their social and emotional development, when applicable, through regular direct instruction and/or integrated practices.
PRIMARY AREAS OF FOCUS WILL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Support teaching in one or more of the Lower School classes, primarily for Grade 1.
SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Support teachers with assessment, preparation of class materials, and classroom management.
• Provide academic support and structure to students during independent work time.
• Support individual students through one-on-one tutoring or small group instruction; promote academic success & character development.
• Supervise & ensure safety of students, including before and after school, during lunch and transition times, and on field trips.
• Fill in other school positions, such as substituting for teachers as needed.
• Use classroom management systems that are effective for students with varying learning needs.
• Model professional and ethical standards when working with students, parents, peers, and community.
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as: meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, planning, and participating in school events.
• Collaborate with researchers, designers, technologists, and other educators to design and refine an innovative education model.
• Build a positive, safe, inclusive, and fun classroom community.
• Other related duties, as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED OF THE POSITION:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification; ideal candidates will have an academic background in elementary education.
• Prior elementary teaching experience.
• Understanding and support of Khan Lab School’s core values, mission, and vision.
• A passion for working with elementary students and a keen understanding of where they are developmentally.
• Expertise in teaching Humanities curricula from an introductory level to advanced concepts.
• Knowledge and experience using Khan Academy for instruction, when applicable.
• Commitment to inquiry-based, project-based learning, and other progressive pedagogies
• Prior experience analyzing student data and using a variety of assessment techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents.
• Flexibility to shift and take on a variety of tasks, as the lab school continues to grow and change.
• Ability to reflect on effectiveness of own practice, respond well to feedback, and adjust instruction accordingly.
PHYSICAL WORK REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds as some regular organizational tasks involve moving desks, chairs, electronics, paperwork and other school supplies and equipment as needed.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Capability of occasionally moving about inside an office setting to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to proficiently and frequently operate a computer and keyboard as well as other office equipment such as calculators, copy machines, printers, and projectors.
• Consistently practice safe working habits while using school supplies, equipment, and electronics as well as the ability to maintain a safe and hazard-free workstation for yourself and others at the school.
• Occasionally required to work weekends, nights, or be on-call for special events, which are sometimes held outside and require the ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions at any time of the year.
• Ability to properly communicate information and ideas so other people can understand as well as the ability to ascertain and understand information communicated from others.
