Lower School Associate Teacher

Description

Mary McDowell Friends School is a K-12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse community where all students can reach their full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, and contributing members of a global society.

Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) invites applications for a full-time Associate Teacher beginning August 2024.

Job Title: Lower School Associate Teacher

Reports to: Division Director and Assistant Division Director

Position Overview

Associate Teachers support the mission of the school by overseeing the safety and well-being of the students in advisory, content area classes, core classrooms, and homeroom classes by monitoring and stimulating educational and social-emotional growth within the framework of the school’s mission by collaborating with the teaching partner to implement a curriculum that meets the needs of the MMFS student.

Associate Teachers work alongside experienced classroom teachers to develop skills in working with individual children and small groups, as well as gaining experience and confidence in building relationships with families and communicating about students’ learning and development in person and through documentation.

 Essential Responsibilities and Duties:  

• Work in collaboration with their teaching partner to implement parts of the curriculum and gradually assume increased responsibilities
• Act as the advocate for homeroom students, supporting each student in their relationships with other teachers and working with the cooperating homeroom teacher to be the primary point person with parents
• Supervise homeroom students when participating in division-wide and school-wide activities such as silence, assembly, and meeting special guests
• Implement individualized student plans for homework, organization, and behavior
• Participating fully in the life of the school, including professional development, MMFS committee, weekly faculty meetings, regular supervisory meetings, and all school silence and staff meetings
• Write, edit, and submit timely trimester reports, grades, recommendations, evaluations, and other requests as needed
• Duties based on assigned schedules include supervising a study hall, arrival/lunch/dismissal duty, student trips (including overnight trips), and student clubs
• Leading a reading and math group independently

 Diversity and Equity Commitments:

• Understand and participate in all school wide diversity and equity initiatives
• Examine administrative practice through the lens of race, identity, equity and privilege
• Provide an equitable framework for leadership decisions
• Support a school culture that allows for social identities to feel welcome

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, exempt ten-month position that follows the academic calendar. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half hour paid lunch; faculty meetings occur every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and will be scheduled in advance.

Travel

Travel between campuses is necessary on occasion for meetings, are scheduled with advanced notice, and are within walking distance from each other.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This job requires the ability to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and to ensure the safety of the students. The ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand for long periods of time, as necessary. Classroom locations vary based on student schedules and staff may need to teach from different rooms. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Required Education & Experience

BA in education or related field. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance and pro