The Primary Day School

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

FT/10 month

Supervisor: Head of School

The Primary Day School, an independent school of 145 students, seeks candidates for a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. The successful applicant will be an experienced, collaborative, energetic, and creative individual who loves working with 4 to 8 year-olds and who is well-acquainted with their cognitive, social, and emotional needs. Familiarity with our curriculum and methods is highly desirable, as is a strong EQ, exemplary communication skills, and the ability to work successfully with children, colleagues, and parents.

About The Primary Day School:

Founded in 1944, The Primary Day School in Bethesda, Maryland, is a school for boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade. We are the only school in the area that focuses exclusively on children in this unique age group, and we do so for a very important reason. These are the most crucial learning years in children’s lives, a time when they are bursting with potential, ready for quantum leaps of development. At Primary Day, everything we do focuses on helping young children flourish—as learners and as people—during this vitally important time of life. The Primary Day School was founded as a demonstration school for the Phonovisual Method, a unique, phonics-based approach to teaching reading and language arts that remains vital to each student’s educational journey today. To learn more about our school and its community, curriculum and traditions please visit www.theprimarydayschool.org.

Important Position Requirements:

• Design and implement differentiated lessons and units of instruction, honoring diverse learning styles, and teaching students how to learn.
• Facilitate opportunities to develop students’ reading and writing skills using the Workshop methodology as a part of the Balanced Literacy Program.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding or willingness to learn the Phonovisual Method and be able to explain it to others.
• Teach to curriculum objectives: Phonovisual, math, and Social Studies and prepare creative hands-on/manipulative activities to enrich each lesson.
• Implement the Singapore (Math in Focus) methodology to help students develop into confident and proficient problem solvers.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging both in teaching and in working with colleagues and families.
• Maintain an exemplary learning environment based on the principles of Responsive Classroom in the classroom and on the playground.
• Use technology to effectively enhance and extend developmentally appropriate instruction.
• Assist students to master skills in handwriting and creative writing.
• Supervise and direct daily outdoor play that encourages development of large motor skills.
• Prepare class for individual and group performances for school-wide assemblies.
• Collaborate with other colleagues and specialists during regular planning sessions.
• Perform non-teaching duties in order to support and assist students and the school, as assigned.

Professional Responsibilities and Development:

• Attend workshops and conferences (such as AISGW, AIMS, NAEYC)
• Visit and observe in other schools.
• Attend training in Responsive Classroom Levels I and II.
• Attend Professional Development coursework at Teachers’ College in both Reading and Writing Workshop
• Share knowledge gained from these experiences with your colleagues.
• Incorporate new knowledge into teaching strategies to increase student learning.
• Supervise, direct and develop social interaction among the children.
• Have an understanding of health/allergy concerns of students and know how to assist them if necessary.

Additional Requirements: 

• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Attendance at all school/staff meetings and in-service workshops.
• Attendance at all school events: Admission Events, Back-to-School Night, Book Fair, Gala, etc.
• Attend CPR, AED and First Aid Classes for certification.
• Assess children’s progress through observation and evaluation of work.
• Communicate regularly with parents through conferences and as needed.
• Prepare report cards for students.
• Federal and State Background Check clearance.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate has teaching experience at the Pre-K – 2^nd grade level, a BA degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education or a related field; MA preferred. S/he is detail-oriented, energetic, creative, and in possession of both stamina and an excellent sense of humor. S/he will think strategically and can work collaboratively.

Salary:

Compensation is competitive with area independent schools and commensurate with experience.