Horizons - Lower School Teacher (Pre K - 4)

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

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To apply

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

Lead lower school educator (Pre K-4) at a six-week summer academic and recreational enrichment program at Sacred Heart University. 

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead educator for approximately 18-23 students
• Plan and implement science of reading-based interventions to groups of 2-5 learners
• Plan and implement kinesthetic and student-driven math instruction
• Build strong and mutually respectful relationships with students and their families based on open communication and collaboration, including weekly communications to families on ParentSquare and on the phone
• Facilitate an emotionally safe and trauma-informed classroom and program environment
• Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners, with the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration
• Maintain attendance records, work with the Executive Director and Program Coordinator to develop and implement instruction, and provide meaningful feedback to learners
• Oversee and work in collaboration with a team consisting of an assistant teacher, a classroom coach, and a volunteer
• Live/actualize the Horizons SHU Community Values 
• Attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, and community events
• Collect and input all required metrics, data, and surveys by assigned dates
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum 2-4 years teaching in a K-5 classroom preferred
• Experience teaching a wide range of abilities and differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of all learners
• Experience teaching social-emotional learning
• Strong commitment to the HSHU mission
• Willingness to connect with the HSHU community after the summer program by attending school year events
• Experience with project-based learning preferred
• Effective oral and communication skills
• Experience using technology to enhance instruction
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to mentor and coach classroom staff 

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a seasonal summer program position. Staff are required to attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, community events, and clean-up/reporting days. 

This is a full-day position. 

• Training Days generally run 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. 
• Program days are 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Dates of Program:

• Training week: 6/22 through 6/26/26
• Program Days: 6/29 through 8/7/26
• Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/10 & 8/11/26

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.