First Grade Teacher

Classification

Full-Time; 10 month employee

Exempt

Reporting

Reports to: Head of Lower Schools and the Assistant Heads of Country Day School

Position Description

Shady Side Academy's Country Day School is seeking a full-time first grade teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. A successful first grade teacher engages student's meaningful learning experiences that meet their students' needs and gives them the confidence to take risks. Shady Side's teachers cultivate academic skill development and support students' social-emotional growth. 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.

• Utilizes the responsive classroom approach and desires to cultivate an emotionally safe educational environment for their students.

• Implements the Math in Focus: A Singapore Approach curriculum to teach mathematics.

• Implements the Fountas and Pinnell Classroom and Fundations curriculum to teach reading.

• Has the ability to integrate writing instruction throughout the day, as well as implementing a writing workshop approach during writing class.

• Utilizes instructional strategies that are engaging, research supported, and meet students' individual needs.

• Integrates technology, STEAM, design thinking, and other innovative strategies into classroom instruction.

• Successfully implements formative and summative assessments to inform instructional decisions.

• Will utilize the outdoors year-round to further enhance students' educational experience.

• Will collaborate with colleagues to continually improve instruction and to ensure instructional consistency across grade levels.

• Performs extra duties such as recess, lunch and arrival/dismissal duties as needed.

• Attends all faculty meetings, in-service days, and teacher team meetings.

• Completing other responsibilities as deemed necessary by the Head of Lower Schools and/or Assistant Heads of Country Day

A successful candidate will have:

• A depth of knowledge and understanding of child development.

• A passion for working with children and developing high quality educational experiences.

• A desire to participate in continued professional development.

• A desire to meet the needs of a diverse community of learners.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in elementary or early childhood education is required. Ideal candidates have some experience working with elementary school students, a flexible and team-oriented approach, excellent written and oral communication skills, exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, superior interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, positive demeanor and a knowledge of 21st Century Skills.

Personal Statement/Cover Letter

Shady Side Academy's mission is "to challenge students to think expansively, act ethically, and lead responsibly. Inspired by this mission, Shady Side's driving purpose remains the development of responsible, transformative leaders for the City of Pittsburgh and beyond. This reason for existing was embedded at our inception, as the pioneers of the American steel industry founded a preparatory school designed to ensure next generation leadership for what they envisioned would become the great, enduring industrial city of the 20th century. As we envision the Academy's next chapter and consider a changing world, we have the opportunity to reimagine how we deliver on this mission. Using the Mission in Action link on our Employment Page as a resource, please respond to the following prompt: Providing past and current examples, how do you practice Relational Teaching, create opportunities for Civil Discourse, and offer Real Word Learning Opportunities within your teaching practice.

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. Financial benefits include tuition remission for children of full-time employees, discounts on summer programs, and after-school programs. There may be free on campus housing opportunities available through participation in our Senior School Residential Life program.

Application Information

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information of three references via the employment page at. Shady Side Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

About Shady Side Academy

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Shady Side Boasts an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with an average class size of 15. Four age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts, athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. Visit the school's web site at Our campuses are tobacco-free.