PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHER JS

Shady Side Academy’s Junior School is seeking a full-time pre-kindergarten (pre-k) teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. The pre-k teacher will co-teach with another colleague to provide our 4- year old students with an opportunity to grow socially-emotionally as well as cognitively in the pre-k classroom. A successful pre-k teacher engages students in meaningful learning experiences that meet their students’ needs and gives them the confidence to take risks. This applicant will work collaboratively within a team of child-focused educators and has a deep commitment to this important time in a student’s educational journey.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Keeps students at the center of their decision-making and instructional practice
• Collaborates with colleagues and supports endeavors that benefit the larger community
• Cultivates positive partnerships with parents through consistent and transparent communication about their child’s progress
• Planning, preparation, and implementation of developmentally appropriate pre-k lessons, utilizing varied methods of instruction to meet students’ unique approaches to learning
• Use of Fundations, Heggerty, Handwriting Without Tears, and Singapore Math curriculums to provide students with a strong foundation of skills that supports their learning in the future
• Guide students in student led inquiry and play based learning activities to engage students and deepen their knowledge of various topics and themes.
• Implementing developmentally appropriate assessments and using that data to guide instructional decisions
• Creating and maintaining a welcoming, safe, and engaging classroom environment
• Implementing successful classroom management strategies and creating a classroom culture that is consistent with the Responsive Classroom approach
• Incorporating the outdoors in student learning year round as there is a significant amount of time spent outdoors
• Possessing a passion for teaching and a continued desire to grow professionally
• Attendance and participation at all faculty and school wide community meetings and events
• Participate in other assigned duties, such as recess, lunch, and any other responsibilities deemed necessary by the Head and/or Assistant Head of the Junior School

Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is required and a master’s degree in early childhood education is strongly preferred.  Ideal candidates will have at least three to five years of early childhood teaching experience, a flexible and team-oriented approach, excellent written and oral communication skills, exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, superior interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor. 

Compensation 
Salary is competitive with area independent schools and commensurate with experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits are part of the employment package. Funding exists to support continuing education and professional development.