What are the responsibilities and job description for the Jr. Kindergarten/Kindergarten Teacher position at St. John Henry Newman Academy?
Company Description St. John Henry Newman Academy is a classical, hybrid K–12 school in San Antonio, Texas, dedicated to supporting both traditional and homeschool families. The academy offers a cottage school model with individualized learning paths and strong parent partnership. Students benefit from college and career preparation, as well as specialized support services for learners with diverse needs. The school provides access to occupational and speech therapy, ensuring a holistic approach to student development. Its mission-focused environment emphasizes academic excellence, character formation, and inclusive support for all learners.
Role Description St. John Henry Newman Academy is seeking a joyful, nurturing, and organized Kindergarten Teacher who is passionate about cultivating a love of learning while supporting parents in their role as the primary educators of their children. The ideal candidate will foster a classroom environment rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty while providing individualized instruction within a small-class setting.
Our Kindergarten program emphasizes hands-on learning, phonics-based reading instruction, early mathematics, nature exploration, fine motor development, and the cultivation of virtue through the Catholic intellectual tradition. As an inclusive school, SJHNA values collaboration among educators, therapists, and families to help every child reach his or her God-given potential.
- Plan and teach engaging kindergarten lessons using the SJHNA curriculum.
- Teach foundational reading through explicit phonics instruction.
- Develop early math concepts using hands-on activities.
- Foster language development through literature, narration, poetry, and conversation.
- Incorporate science, history, art, music, and nature study into daily learning.
- Differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.
- Encourage curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery.
- Work collaboratively with the Special Education Teacher, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Behavior Specialists, and other educational support staff to implement classroom accommodations and support student success.
- Participate in team meetings to discuss student progress, problem-solve challenges, and develop appropriate instructional strategies.
- Implement accommodations, modifications, and intervention strategies as outlined in Individualized Support Plans (ISPs) or other educational plans.
- Welcome therapists and support personnel into the classroom and collaborate to ensure therapeutic recommendations are incorporated naturally into the school day when appropriate.
- Maintain open communication with families regarding student progress while working collaboratively with the educational support team.
- Foster an inclusive classroom environment where students with diverse learning needs are valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive alongside their peers.
- Create a warm, structured, and orderly classroom.
- Establish consistent routines and expectations.
- Foster kindness, responsibility, respect, and cooperation.
- Promote independence and confidence while providing appropriate support.
- Maintain regular communication with parents regarding student progress.
- Support families in extending learning at home.
- Participate in parent conferences.
- Encourage strong partnerships between home and school.
- Model Christian virtue and professional integrity.
- Integrate Catholic values throughout the school day.
- Lead students in daily prayer.
- Encourage the development of virtue, gratitude, service, and love of God and neighbor.
- Attend faculty meetings and professional development.
- Participate in school events, open houses, and community activities.
- Maintain student records and lesson plans.
- Ensure a safe, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Bachelor's degree in Education or related field.
- Experience teaching early childhood or elementary students.
- Knowledge of phonics-based reading instruction and the Science of Reading.
- Familiarity with classical education or willingness to learn.
- A willingness to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating closely with therapists, the Special Education Teacher, and families to support students with diverse learning needs.
- Strong classroom management skills.
- Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
- A joyful, patient, flexible, and servant-hearted attitude.
Experience with one or more of the following is beneficial:
- Classical education
- Catholic education
- Homeschool partnership programs
- Multi-age classrooms
- Differentiated instruction
- Inclusive education
- Special education
- Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, or Behavioral supports within the classroom
- Ability to supervise young children throughout the school day.
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, and move throughout the classroom.
- Ability to participate in outdoor activities and recess supervision.
St. John Henry Newman Academy exists to partner with families in forming students intellectually, spiritually, and morally through an education rooted in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. We strive to cultivate joyful learners who grow in wisdom, virtue, and love of Christ while recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children.