Head Teacher - Lower School

Bank Street College of Education•New York, NY

19h•$60,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Bank Street School for Children is seeking a passionate and skilled Head Teacher for 1st Grade. This is a full-time, 10-month position in which the teacher takes primary responsibility for curriculum development, instruction, and assessment across all subject areas, while working closely with an Associate Teacher, subject-area specialists, and families. The Head Teacher will mentor the Associate Teacher and provide guidance for their professional growth. The ideal candidate is collaborative, child-centered, and deeply committed to progressive, equity-focused education with extensive experience teaching at the elementary level.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Education or a related field
Extensive teaching experience at the elementary level
Deep knowledge of and commitment to progressive education
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and social justice
Strong written and oral communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Knowledge of and experience delivering strategy-based literacy and math instruction
Skill in designing data-driven, differentiated instruction
Experience developing hands-on, developmentally appropriate curriculum
Experience leading morning meetings and building classroom community (e.g., Responsive Classroom)
Initiative, creativity, flexibility, and collaboration
Warmth, humor, and optimism

Nice To Haves

Experience mentoring or supervising Associate Teachers or student teachers
Familiarity with Bank Street’s approach to integrated, child-centered curriculum
Experience working with 1st grade students specifically

Responsibilities

Plan and teach lessons in all subject areas, including math, language arts, social studies, and science, aligned with children’s developmental needs and Bank Street’s progressive curriculum framework
Design culturally responsive, interdisciplinary curriculum with special emphasis on social studies as the core of classroom life and learning
Apply knowledge of strategy-based literacy and mathematics instruction; use data to differentiate learning for all students
Design and maintain a materials-rich classroom environment that reflects the curriculum and the current work of the children
Create and prepare materials that serve the curriculum
Lead engaging morning meetings and community-building practices (e.g., Responsive Classroom) that support the social-emotional development of each child
Use a range of instructional technologies to support and enhance student learning
Enable the social-emotional, physical, and intellectual development of every child as a primary professional responsibility
Meet the needs of the whole class while providing individualized instruction and support
Collaborate with the student learning and support team, which includes learning specialists and a school psychologist, to support students with diverse learning needs
Write two comprehensive narrative reports per year on each student’s progress, along with weekly classroom updates to families
Mentor and provide weekly supervisory support to an Associate Teacher
Serve as cooperating practitioner for graduate students placed in the classroom; plan cooperatively with the classroom team and hold weekly supervisory meetings
Meet with graduate students and their advisor from Graduate Programs three times per semester, depending on their degree program
Collaborate with subject-area specialists (art, music, library, shop, P.E./movement, Spanish) to design and implement curriculum
Participate in weekly age-group and all-staff meetings; meet regularly with your division supervisor
Hold two formal parent–teacher conferences per year and remain available for additional meetings as needed
Communicate regularly with families about student progress, classroom life, and school events
Work collaboratively with parents to increase mutual knowledge and understanding of the children
Welcome daily classroom visitors and observers as part of Bank Street’s commitment to open, transparent schooling
Serve as a resource for visiting groups as requested
Fulfill community duties including lunch supervision, recess, arrival and dismissal, early morning care, and bus duty
Support school coverage needs by assisting across the division as needed
Assist with event planning, class trips, assemblies, and special programs
Complete all required documentation, records, and administrative tasks in a timely manner
Contribute to College-wide committee work and divisional and institutional program development and evaluation as appropriate
Perform additional duties as assigned by a supervisor