Part-Time Lower School Associate Teacher

Title of position:  Lower School Associate Teacher

Job Class:  Part-time, exempt, academic-year

Reports to:  Head of Lower School

Pay range:  $2,750.00 semi-monthly ($55,000 if annualized).  This is a part-time, non-exempt position for the remainder of the 2023-24 academic year.

Benefits include:  medical, dental, vision, and term life insurance of $50,000 subsidized at 100% for employees; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; personal time, academic vacations, and sick leave; professional development.

The San Francisco Friends School (SFFS), located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco, educates K-8 students in the tradition of Quaker learning. By example and commitment, we hope to inspire all connected with our school to work together toward a peaceful and caring society. For further information about San Francisco Friends School’s beginnings, mission, and philosophy, please visit our website at www.sffriendsschool.org.

San Francisco Friends School seeks individuals who are passionate about teaching students in grades K-8 using a progressive curriculum rooted in Quaker values. We are looking for an early childhood Associate Teacher who resonates with the Friends School mission, which provides an exemplary education in a community dedicated to peaceful problem-solving, service to others, simplicity, respect for the individual, and quiet reflection. We seek a person who will grow in and contribute to such a community, both within and beyond the walls of the school, and contribute to a more caring and just society.

The ideal candidate is a responsible, flexible educator with relevant experience who wants to both contribute and learn. We seek to staff our school with educators with the following qualities: 

• Are compelled by the SF Friends School mission
• Have a pioneering spirit, take initiative, have an interest in Quaker educational pedagogy 
• Are inspired to develop creative problem solving skills and be active and engaged members of the SFFS community
• Are early in their career as an educator and considering/participating in a credentialing program or advanced degree program in education

Job Summary: 

The Associate Teacher is a respected professional in our community. They work together with a lead classroom teacher and our specialist teachers to meet a wide range of academic and social developmental needs of young children. For those newer to teaching our approach provides a hands-on opportunity to collaborate with an experienced lead teacher on all aspects of classroom life and gain valuable professional development in a supportive setting. In turn, the Associate Teacher/Lead pairing allows SFFS to provide a collaborative team teaching approach that allows for low student-teacher ratio, small-group instruction and individualized attention. 
Associate Teachers are part of a two-year program. In Grades K-4 they are paired with a single classroom/grade for a year, in Grades 5-8, the Associate Teacher is paired with a grade level team covering all the academic disciplines. In their second year, a new pairing is made to broaden the Associate Teacher’s perspective and deepen their learning.  
Responsibilities include close teamwork for curriculum development, assessments and reporting, student portfolios, clear parent communications, committee involvement and attendance at all special events and field trips - mindfully choosing projects that meet our goals for student learning. Teaching, observing and collaborating with other teachers, an Associate Teacher is responsible for all aspects of school life, gaining valuable experience in the following areas including but not limited to the following responsibilities.

Responsibilities: 

• Prepare for, plan and lead some whole group, small group and individual activities and lessons 
• Identify and respond to individual students’ learning differences and create enrichment opportunities and support to achieve student goals
• Collaborate with Developmental Support Services to meet the needs of individual learners
• Prepare for and participate in parent teacher conferences and report writing 
• Participate in classroom preparation, organization and  logistical responsibilities
• Create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that honors and nurtures each child’s individual identity
• Meet with classroom teacher and teaching team regularly as well as weekly faculty meetings and professional development days
• Develop warm and respectful relationships with students 
• Manage daily parent communications 
• Attend Back to School Nights
• Participate in student admission process 
• Supervise students at recess, carpool, lunch room etc.
• Chaperone field trips (K-4) and overnight outdoor education trips (grades 3-8)
• Participate in assemblies and other special events
• Serve on committees, as needed

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required
• At minimum, the Associate Teacher will have either student teaching experience or classroom experience with elementary aged children. 
• Desire to pursue a career in education
• Strong preference for individuals in credentialing and/or advanced degree programs in Education
• Commitment to professional growth, reflective practice, and growth mindset
• Strong ability to work collaboratively
• Openness to Quaker philosophy

Preferred Qualities:

• Knowledge of current pedagogy and facility with hands-on and project-based instruction
• Language skills in Spanish, Cantonese
• We value collaboration, reflection and feedback, and a growth mindset among our students, and we strive toward each in our adult collegial work. 

Opportunities:

• Professional development program 
• Faculty/Staff Affinity Groups
• Ability to design innovative curriculum in collaboration with colleagues
• Learning from a strong and supportive professional community with a growth mindset
• Onboarding cohort that meets at the beginning of the year and regularly throughout the year
• Mentor and Buddy for Associate Teacher to support acclimatization into our community
• Associate Teacher Coordinator who meets with Associate Teachers regularly in small and large groups, as well as one-on-one to guide professional development

Physical requirements:

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
EEO Commitment:
The San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law.  The school also makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities; candidates who need accommodations in order to apply for this position should request an accommodation as part of the submission of interest.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 references.

For more information about San Francisco Friends School or Quaker education, please visit our website atwww.sffriendsschool.org or the Friends Council on Education atwww.friendscouncil.org.

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