Lead Teacher

Children's Community School is a progressive elementary school located on the border of Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys, CA. Grounded in the philosophy of American educator John Dewey, the school utilizes a social studies core curriculum with hands-on exploration including block building, STEM, field trips for research, and a rich arts program. Lead Teachers are responsible for planning and developing curriculum. Attention is given to individual learning styles, social-emotional skills, and positive identity development. Teachers model a patient, compassionate, open-minded, and brave approach to relating to children and adults. Our faculty practice an activity-based, learning-by-doing methodology for skill-building, including collaborative work, student inquiry, and integrated study. Lead Teachers work closely with each other, alongside their Assistant Teacher, subject area specialists, the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Head of School. The Lead Teacher creates a class culture with routines and expectations defined by CCS's mission and values. They observe and honor each student as an individual within the community, supporting perseverance, independent growth, and equity. CCS has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Salaries and benefits are competitive.

Lead Teachers are expected to:

Structure flexible and innovative learning experiences for individuals and groups Plan student's language, literacy, and numeracy development Provide a positive and safe environment for students physically and emotionally that reflects effective classroom management strategies Construct relevant, participatory learning experiences that connect children's own knowledge with the world beyond school Begin planning their curriculum for the upcoming school year, with the support of the Head of School and the entire teaching staff, and continue their planning processes and communication with the school during the summer break, as arranged with the Head of School. Maintain positive and supportive relationships with children, parents, and all fellow staff members Continuously document student progress keeping in mind subject-area grade level goals Work collaboratively with colleagues on designing curriculum and improving practice while fostering a non-judgmental, professional environment Communicate frequently and effectively with parents, keeping them abreast of classroom happenings and their children's development while honoring diverse backgrounds Make prompt responses to school communications within 24 hours Seek knowledge of current instructional theories and best practices Demonstrate a commitment to professional growth by participating in professional development opportunities as a place for self-reflection and engagement that will benefit the classroom experience for their students Take the lead in writing narrative student assessments for the class to the satisfaction of the Head of School by stated due dates Change teaching assignments as needed Prepare for student-parent conferences to provide families with specific feedback regarding student development, including feedback from other teachers Participate in parent-teacher conferences, evening classroom meetings, admissions events or other events at the request of the administration, sometimes outside of contractual hours Incorporate appropriate technology Supervise students, including on overnight trips Utilize anti-bias strategies and practices Seek constructive feedback from colleagues in the faculty and the administration, set goals and reflect on professional practice during the year Participate dutifully in staff responsibilities Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Head of School Desired Expertise and Experience Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field; Master's degree preferred Passion for learning and demonstrated interest in child development 3+ years of experience teaching full time Strong written and oral communication skills Detail-oriented and resourceful Tactful and discreet Technologically savvy The salary range for this position is $64,800- $99,250 and is commensurate with experience and education. To apply, interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to careers@ccsteaches.org