Kindergarten Lead Teacher

New Canaan Country School•New Canaan, CT

About The Position

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving approximately 550 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community. The Early Childhood program at Country School serves children in Grades Beginners (age 3) through Kindergarten. In Early Childhood, we are passionate about children believing in themselves and their great potential. We are a place where imagination and curiosity are valued and childhood is respected, all while children are well-prepared academically. Teachers intentionally prepare a space that will excite, invite and encourage children to explore. Our Kindergarten program provides opportunities for hands-on inquiry, direct instruction, and differentiated groupings during lessons. The children are encouraged to take risks in a safe environment where relationships are built on trust. About the Kindergarten Teacher Position The Kindergarten Lead Teacher serves as a member of our Early Childhood faculty. Our Early Childhood teachers are experienced, dynamic and possess a strong sense of pedagogy. They demonstrate a commitment to bringing out the best in each student and ensure that each child is known, seen, loved, and valued. Responsive Classroom is robustly used as our social-emotional curriculum across all Kindergarten classrooms. Lead Kindergarten teachers are responsible for partnering with the assistant teacher to cultivate a joyful and kind classroom community, as well as delivering a high-caliber of instruction across disciplines.

Requirements

Ability to effectively teach core subjects, such as language arts, math and social studies, as well as additional skills to students
Ability and willingness to understand and support the social, emotional and academic needs of Kindergarten children
Relevant experience teaching the age group and assessing student learning
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Nice To Haves

Demonstrates joy in working with students of this age and being in a school environment
Collaborative, flexible, creative and adaptive
Has strong oral, written and interpersonal skills
Demonstrates cultural competence
Experience in reading instruction for varied levels of readers
Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and development; stays informed of current research and practices, child development
Has an understanding of and experience with Responsive Classroom practices
Instills a growth mindset of healthy risk-taking and mistake-making in students
Establish and maintain clear organizational systems and structures that promote efficiency, consistency, and a well-ordered learning environment.

Responsibilities

Differentiate instruction to meet the varied needs of learners across all core subjects
Evaluate students’ academic and social growth, keep appropriate records, prepare narrative reports and conduct parent conferences
Cultivate a joyful, vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming classroom community supported by strong classroom management skills
Create strong connections and relationships with students to foster a positive and trusting learning environment
Plan, organize and implement a developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive Kindergarten program
Partner with grade-level colleagues in short and long-term planning of curriculum
Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents/guardians through formal and ongoing informal touchpoints
Participate productively in grade-level, department, division and all-employee meetings
Mentor and partner with an Assistant Teacher and share teaching responsibilities appropriately.
Supervise and engage with students in a variety of activities during the day, such as recess, lunch, and during field trips and other events
Identify student needs and partner with Learning Resource professionals to support student growth and development
Engage in internal and external professional development in order to stay abreast of best practices