At The Mount Vernon School , students are empowered to discover, explore, learn, design, create, and effect change. With a commitment to Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA) , we welcome the opportunity to engage in honest, vulnerable, and courageous conversations that challenge our biases and assumptions. Our goal is to design a better world , so we choose to equip students with the knowledge, skills, attributes, and relationships they need to be impact-ready .
The Team
The Lower School Team works collaboratively to teach foundational literacies and build hands-on inquiry/project-based experiences for students. Each grade-level team is led by a Head of Grade and works with a Learning Coach to meet the needs of every individual student. Leveraging tools and resources such as visible thinking routines, off-campus expeditions, mindfulness/SEL, internal/external experts, and a team of connectors (Maker, Performing Arts, Physical Educator, Science, Spanish, Visual Arts) the Lower School team activates agency and imagination for our learners who are ready to make an impact today.
The Role
Lower School instructors have the opportunity to build deep relationships and engage in meaningful work with a classroom of 14-20 students. By leveraging best practices and methodologies such as Orton Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, and Bridges Math, our teachers teach students foundational literacies, skills, and attributes using a competency-based approach. Strong candidates will have Lower School classroom experience, a passion for giving regular, high-quality feedback, and a desire to explore innovative approaches in the classroom.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating daily learning experiences and assessments with students
• Co-designing curriculum and assessment with Grade-level team with attention to differentiation and individualization
• Maintaining comprehensive records of performance, progress, and goals using MV tools
• Communicating with families, learning coaches, and outside providers
• Actively participating in professional growth opportunities and weekly school/division/team meetings
• Meeting the needs of the division by helping with weekly coverage and duties
• Supporting students at seasonal after-school events

Core Competencies

• Ability to cultivate respectful and affirming environments
• Culturally proficient & equity literate
• A track record of giving high-quality, responsive feedback
• Understanding of competency-based assessment/mastery approach to learning
• Knowledge of Inquiry-Based Learning Pedagogies (Project Based Learning, Visible Thinking Routines, Question Formulation Techniques, Design Thinking)
• Proficiency in Google Suite & Mac/Apple OS

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field
• Orton-Gillingham literacy training (strongly preferred)
• Teaching Certificate (preferred)
• Classroom experience (preferred)

The faculty and staff of The Mount Vernon School believe the fair and equitable treatment of employees is critical to fulfilling its mission and purpose. It is the policy of The Mount Vernon School is to conduct business and provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws