Elementary K-2 Teacher

Kairos PDX•Portland, OR

7h•Onsite

About The Position

KairosPDX is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families, and communities. We aim to close achievement and opportunity gaps through innovative pedagogy, community collaboration, and family partnerships. Our mission is to cultivate confident, creative, and compassionate leaders by eliminating racial achievement and opportunity gaps. Our work encompasses a PK-5 Learning Academy, Family Connections, Programming, a Training Academy, and Local and Legislative Policy. We are seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission and committed to creating structures, developing school culture, and communicating our work to families and the wider community. Staff collaborate to support the whole child academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally, utilizing published curriculum, current research, and children's interests to build curricula. KairosPDX values data, reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Valid TSPC license for the grade level(s) taught
Documentation of “Highly Qualified Teacher Status” under the No Child Left Behind Act
At least one or two years of experience teaching in an elementary classroom
At least one or two years relevant experience working with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds
Demonstrated ability to manage a classroom
Effective interpersonal skills in managing and interacting with diverse groups of stakeholders
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict through equitable decision-making and effective problem solving
Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture
Open to learning and practicing a constructivist approach to teaching and learning
Commitment to culturally relevant practices
Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration
Commitment to implementing teaching practices that maximize student learning
Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families
Possess a passion for helping each child reach his or her social, emotional and academic potential including a commitment to differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment
Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant)
Ability to pass a criminal background check
Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color
Passion for KairosPDX’s mission

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree
Three to five years of experience preferred
Training in early education and/or human development, preferred
Experience working with children ages 5 to 11, preferred
Training and/or experience with at least one special population such as children with disabilities, Talented and Gifted children, and/or English Language Learners, preferred

Responsibilities

Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and families to honor the mission: To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders.
Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions: respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence, and service to community.
Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction: Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative; Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationships and service to others; A multi-cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society; Children must be supported in the context of their families.
Support multicultural practice and inquiry-based approaches that are actively anti-racist, education for social justice, pervasive, personal, critical pedagogy, and empowering.
Support the teaching team and support a group of preschool children.
Provide individual and/or small group instruction for children.
Support the exchange of information between home and school (e.g., creation of flyers, conference reminders).
Support teachers in communicating with families regarding student behavior, needs, and growth.
Perform activities that ensure the safety, engagement, and creativity of each individual in the group.
Work cooperatively with teachers to discuss and aid in the implementation of daily plans in accordance with the current curriculum.
Nurture the social-emotional intelligence of children.
Follow daily lesson plans for appropriate age teaching and learning, making adjustments when needed.
Support set up, maintenance, and clean up of daily provocations.
Partner with teachers to cultivate a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for students, families, and colleagues.
Support classroom expectations and agreements.
Guide children through the process of exploration, collaboration, and reflection.
Be comfortable getting outside and creating a positive light on outdoor education in all weather.
Support the teachers in keeping an organized and orderly classroom that promotes creativity and learning.
Support teachers to maintain weekly communication with parents through a weekly email.
Cultivate positive relationships with families, teachers, state licensing authorities, community contacts, and corporate partners.
Participate in supervising students during recess and other non-classroom times.
Assist in planning and supervising walking and local field trips.
Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events.
Participate in professional development to facilitate the growth of each student, staff members, and the organization overall.
Participate in continuous improvement practices, including observations, reflections, and collaborations.
Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.