Lower School Faculty

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Lower School Teacher at The Westminster Schools joins a caring and innovative community dedicated to building the foundation for lifelong learning. Rooted in Westminster’s mission to develop the whole person for college and for life, the Lower School Teacher creates a joyful, engaging classroom environment where young learners develop essential academic skills, curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

In this role, the teacher designs age-appropriate lessons that foster problem-solving, collaboration, and a love of discovery. The Lower School Teacher also emphasizes social-emotional learning, helping students build resilience, empathy, and respect for others. Beyond the classroom, the teacher serves as a mentor and role model, supporting children's holistic growth during their formative years.

Every Lower School homeroom boasts two full-time lead teachers who embody the same intellectual curiosity, wholesome intensity, and creative spirit as their students. Our unique co-teaching model means teachers partner to create a vibrant homeroom environment for 18-20 bright young learners. This collaboration allows our teachers to fully utilize their strengths and benefit from a close partnership with a fellow educator. Alongside eighty-five other Lower School faculty, you’ll meet in teams to design lessons, create assessments, share ideas, and innovate for the future

Supervisor: Head of Lower School

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Position Status:  Salaried, exempt, full-time, 10-month

Hours of Work: Typical hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Some weekend and evening work may be required. 

 

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a successful candidate.

• A bachelor’s degree in education or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with elementary-aged students.
• Knowledge of child development and best practices in elementary education.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to professional growth and reflective practice.
• Enthusiasm for working in a supportive, mission-driven learning community.
• A demonstrated understanding of current practices, including:
  • Literacy
  • Singapore Math/Think Math
  • Responsive Classroom
  • Orton-Gillingham/Phonics
  • Assessment practices based on learning goals

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction & Curriculum:

• Designs and delivers lessons that balance academic rigor with creativity and play.
• Develops assessments to measure student growth and adjust instruction to meet individual needs.
• Integrates hands-on learning, interdisciplinary connections, and technology into the curriculum.
• Differentiates instruction to support a wide range of learners.

Student Development & Support:

• Fosters a safe, inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued.
• Supports students’ social-emotional learning and character development.
• Communicates regularly with parents/guardians to build strong school-home partnerships.
• Encourages curiosity, independence, and a growth mindset.
• Supervises children in and outside the classroom to ensure safety

Collaboration & Professional Growth:

• Partners with grade-level teams and specialists to create integrated learning experiences.
• Participates in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to share strategies and refine practice.
• Engages in ongoing professional development through Westminster’s Center for Teaching and other opportunities.

Community Engagement:

• Contributes to the broader Lower School community through events, traditions, and extracurricular opportunities, including coaching or sponsoring other extracurricular programs
• Models Westminster’s values of inclusivity, service, and excellence.
• Supports the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging.

And perform other duties as assigned. Additionally, successful candidates will:

• Demonstrate a love of working with Lower School students
• Utilize an engaging teaching style
• Build partnerships with parents and colleagues
• Create and promote an inclusive learning environment with enthusiasm, flexibility, and a cooperative spirit

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk and hear; engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and out; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to become CPR, AED, and First Aid Certified is required.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and may frequently walk on slippery or uneven surfaces.  The noise level in the work environment is often loud.

Westminster is a drug-free, smoke/vape-free campus.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the regular business day.  Overnight and out-of-area travel may also be required and is associated mainly with planned events, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

Driving a Westminster vehicle may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Westminster is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.  It is Westminster’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities and administer terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran under applicable federal, state and local laws.  EOE/M/F/D/V.