Description

Mission

Saint Andrew's Episcopal School - A wholehearted education in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The mission of Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is to offer an enriched curriculum within the tradition and values of the Episcopal Church. We aim to educate the whole student, developing as fully as possible the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social capacities of each student.

The School

Located in Saratoga, CA Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is an independent school for Pre K (4 years old) through 8th grade students. Saint Andrew’s is a wholehearted community of learners with a wholehearted commitment to cultivating student happiness, academic achievement and character. The school’s complete, balanced and inspiring approach to education ensures that graduates are exceptionally good people who are exceptionally well-prepared to thrive in high school, college, and life. Founded by Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in September 1961, the school opened with single sections of Kindergarten and First Grade, then subsequent grades were added each year to Grade 8. Today, the school has 414 students from over 15 communities in the San Jose/South Bay and Peninsula Area.

Saint Andrew's sits alongside Big Basin Road which leads in and out of Saratoga, CA. The view from the road belies the depth of the campus which stretches back many acres and well along the path of the Saratoga Creek. More information about our campus can be found here.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

By embracing diversity, we are a stronger community.

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is a community rooted in kindness. We believe that learning happens best when we bring our whole self to school. We support every person’s right to define, express, and live comfortably within their own evolving identity. We are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that recognizes the worth of each individual. 

Our Episcopal faith is anchored in inclusivity and love as guided by the National Association of Episcopal Schools. One of its hallmarks is to celebrate the diversity of beliefs and perspectives around life’s questions, no matter one's traditions. Human reason and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge are valued as a means to grow deeper in our spiritual journey. Episcopal schools cultivate a strong sense of ethics and develop agents of change through all aspects of the student experience.

The Position

Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is seeking a dynamic and highly collaborative Middle School Spanish teacher and advisor with an understanding of and passion for teaching middle school-age students. The successful candidate will join a community of dedicated, compassionate, energetic, and experienced adults – faculty and parents alike – who are committed to the mission to develop “as fully as possible the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social capacities of each student.” Our goal is to build a joyful, inclusive, and respectful learning community.

This teacher will be responsible for teaching up to five sections of Spanish courses in grades 5-8 as well as a daily Advisory class for 10-12 students. The successful candidate must be able to transfer their enthusiasm for and deep understanding of the Spanish language to students using multiple modalities and authentic applications in order to make learning relevant and meaningful for students. Differentiation, such that students are appropriately challenged within their developmental level, and a meaningful approach to homework are expected instructional strategies. They must also demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, creativity, and a high degree of self-direction and flexibility.

Major Responsibilities

1) Student Relationships 

· Creating an inclusive, welcoming, learning-motivated classroom environment where the student voice is celebrated.

· Be attuned to the specific learning needs and social and emotional development of each student.

· Lead an advisory group of approximately 10-12 students; provide instruction in health, wellness, character education, and social-emotional learning through coaching, mentoring, and counseling. 

· Provide academic support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.), as needed.

2) Learning

· Plan and facilitate challenging, age-appropriate teaching and learning opportunities that inspire enthusiasm, confidence, and a deep understanding of the Spanish language and Spanish speaking cultures.

· Create learning experiences that incorporate a range of instruction modalities.

· Assess understanding using a variety of formative and summative assessments, and utilize assessment feedback to adjust instruction and continuously improve student learning.

· Use technology creatively and effectively in a one-to-one iPad environment.

· Collaborate with Learning Support faculty to implement accommodations and meet the learning needs of diverse cognitive learners.

3) Community 

· Active collaboration with other middle school teachers, educators, and specialist teachers to develop curriculum, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and special projects.

· Communicate regularly with parents regarding curriculum, student progress, and course placements.

· Attend and collaborate in the planning for and organization for annual overnight educational trips.

· Be a positive and contributing member of the school community.

· Supervise students in other roles such as recess, lunch, field trips, etc. 

· Participate actively in department, grade-level team, division, and faculty meetings as scheduled.

· Collaborate with departmental colleagues on the ordering of instructional materials, course placements, curriculum development, etc.

· Actively pursue student-centered professional learning opportunities aligned with school goals and initiatives.

Interviews, including demonstration lessons, will take place until the position is filled.

Requirements

Desired Qualifications & Characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree in Spanish or a closely-related field (Master’s degree is preferred)
• Spanish teaching credential 
• Classroom teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level
• Standards-based curriculum experience
• Passion for interacting with middle level students in and outside of the classroom
• Desire for a highly collaborative work environment that values innovation and creativity to support student development and needs
• Ability to use technology to enhance the classroom experience 
• Motivation to use a range of resources that represent diverse cultures, experiences and viewpoints
• Sense of humor 
• Finding joy in teaching adolescents
• Positive, pitch-in, can-do, “yes…and” attitude
• Satisfactorily completed a nationwide criminal background check