Senior Kindergarten Teacher (Begins Late August 2024)

Job Summary:

Francis W. Parker School is a renowned JK-12th grade independent day school. Founded in 1901 on the tenets of progressive education, the school currently enrolls 942 students and employs 200 dedicated faculty and staff members who, in addition to assistant teachers, substitute teachers, and coaches, work together to ensure that the School lives up to its Mission to “educate students to think and act with empathy, courage, and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse, democratic society and global community.”

We are currently seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced Senior Kindergarten Teacher to join our expert faculty working on a grade-level team with two other teachers. Responsibilities include instruction in major curricular areas: social/emotional development, literacy, mathematics, science, and arts. Children’s interests often inform the curriculum and the teacher should embrace these interests and be prepared to address the wide range of children’s abilities as well as interests. Conferences, written narrative reports, and regular communication via newsletters, phone calls, e-mails or websites with parents are all required as are attendance at weekly faculty meetings, and involvement on committees within the School. Working with the Admission Department to review possible student candidates occurs annually. Communicating and working with specialists inside and outside of the school building an expectation. The Senior Kindergarten Teacher is also expected to collaborate regularly with our Early Childhood Counselor, Early Childhood Learning Resource Teacher, and JK-5 Director of Studies with shared curricular goals as the focus of their work.

Required Qualifications:

· Masters in Early Childhood Education preferred; Early Childhood BA or K-8 MA is acceptable with early childhood classroom experience and knowledge base

· Significant classroom teaching experience; 5 years minimum preferred

· Knowledge about and experience with the developmental, social, emotional, and cognitive issues of children in the early childhood years

· Knowledge and experience with early childhood curriculum material in the areas of literacy and mathematics

· Excellence in classroom management techniques, especially toward building SEL and executive functioning skills

· Awareness of a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and for imaginative play

· Familiarity with the play-based approach and documenting student growth

· Superior communication skills in both oral and written forms

· Ability to collaborate, create, and modify curriculum with colleagues on a team

· Exhibits a strong sense of professionalism, sound judgment, and emotional maturity

· Experience working with an Assistant Teacher

· Flexibility, tact, and expertise in communicating with parents and/or guardians

· Evidence of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in teaching practices

· Enthusiasm for professional development and continuing to expand knowledge about pedagogy and best practices to promote student growth

· Familiarity with the tenets of progressive education

· Proficiency with Google Classroom Suite and additional educational technology

Compensation:

Commensurate with background and experience; comprehensive benefits package.

To Apply:
Please submit cover letter with resume by email or fax to (no telephone inquiries please):

Human Resources
Francis W. Parker School
330 W. Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

fax: 773.549.4430

The faculty, staff and administration of Francis W. Parker School are integral parts of the School's community. Through their passion, dedication and commitment to the School's mission, they create and support an environment where exceptional child-centered learning can occur.

Francis W. Parker School is committed to cultivating a community of dedicated students, parents, faculty and staff, trustees, administrators and alumni, who acknowledge, respect, and esteem diversity in our school; and who reflect, through their presence, the diversity of Chicago communities and the wider world.

Francis W. Parker School is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Grade levels:

• Kindergarten

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person