Westtown School is currently searching for a full-time Lower School Spanish Teacher to begin in late August 2023. The Westtown Lower School Spanish program uses a language acquisition model which incorporates conversational Spanish, cultural studies and experiences, and connections to core content areas for students in pre-K through 5th grades. The ideal candidate will be able to design and implement curriculum and learning experiences based on ACTFL standards, authentic resources, and professional creativity.
As Westtown strives to fulfill our commitment to becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) school, we seek culturally competent educators with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion who are eager to engage in ongoing professional development in these areas. This will be evidenced in their approach to curriculum and pedagogy, their ability to foster and develop inclusive communities, and through their personal and professional interactions with diverse groups of students, families, faculty, and staff.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
* Teaches Spanish 90-95% in the target language to all pre-K through 5th-grade students;
* Ignites in children a love of language learning and understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures;
* Designs, develops, and implements an engaging and inquiry-based curriculum with a culturally responsive and inclusive lens and guided by ACTFL standards;
* Deepens the language experience of heritage Spanish speakers through differentiated instruction and book clubs;
* Collaborates with homeroom teachers, fellow special area teachers, and the student support team;
* Writes narrative reports and maintains home-school connections when necessary;
* Integrates technology seamlessly into teaching strategies and practices;
* Engages in divisional community responsibilities as assigned (e.g. arrival/dismissal, lunch/recess, weekly faculty meetings);
* Plans and chaperones field trips;
* Helps students develop the essential skills of critical thinking, communication, and empathy;
* Supports students’ social-emotional and identity development;
* Contributes to building and sustaining an inclusive community and a program that reflects diverse cultures and perspectives;
* Communicates effectively with all constituents – students, colleagues, administrators, and parents;
* Contributes to students’ development of Quaker values;
* Engages in decision-making aligned with Quaker process in service to the school community;
* Serves on faculty and staff committees;
* Enthusiastically seeks out and participates in school-sponsored and self-selected professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader and community member.
Opportunities
Westtown is eager to support employees in their personal and professional growth and development. All faculty and staff are encouraged to discuss their developmental needs with their supervisors and the Dean of Faculty and Innovation as they think about their long-term growth in the life of the school. The school seeks to help employees stay current in their fields and advance in terms of their professional development through opportunities such as:
* Affinity groups for faculty and staff that speak to the diversity of identities and experiences
* Participation in a robust professional development program featuring internal and external facilitators and experts
* Sponsorship to attend the NAIS People of Color Conference
* Partnership in a new faculty orientation and mentorship program
* Funding for professional organization memberships
* Sponsorship to attend and present at professional conferences, panels, and forums ? Financial assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees and coursework to support their professional growth
* Sabbatical leave program to support the professional growth and personal renewal of teachers, after completing qualifying years of service
* Tuition remission of 80% for two dependent children, upon enrollment
Qualifications
* 2 or more years of relevant classroom teaching experience required;
* BA or BS degree in Spanish, Education or related field with a specialty or training in world language pedagogy; advanced degree preferred;
* Native or advanced Spanish proficiency;
* Demonstrated passion and joy for working with Lower School students;
* Knowledge of child development and a commitment to social-emotional learning, differentiated instruction, and inquiry- and project-based teaching;
* Outstanding speaking, writing, and listening skills;
* A demonstrated commitment to inclusive Quaker pedagogy based on cultural competence, commitment to social justice, and respect for all voices;
* Familiarity with Google products and ability to integrate technology into best teaching practices;
* A strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an appreciation for Quaker values and how these inform community processes (meeting structures, decision-making, student discipline, etc.) and interactions.
Westtown School is an independent, Quaker co-educational, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia. Situated on a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers a program where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world.
Guided by the Quaker belief that there is that of God in all persons, Westtown School is a community of learners who value and are themselves strengthened by, the rich diversity of its members. As a school, we seek to prepare students for living and leading in a diverse and complex world. As a community, we aspire to inclusivity and respect for all. To these ends, we welcome qualified students, faculty, staff, and trustees of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, family structure including marital or parental status, and socioeconomic status. Westtown School does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of these characteristics in any of its policies, procedures, or practices relating to admission, access to activities or programs, hiring, or other employment-related decisions.
We strive towards every student, faculty, and staff member feeling a sense of belonging at Westtown and strongly encourage applications from educators of color, LGBTQ+ educators, and educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.
Interested, qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and educational philosophy, including an outline of your professional development in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to http://tiny.cc/westtown_careercenter.
