Fifth Grade Teaching Position - The Pike School

What is still possible? 

Amidst a most atypical year - a year of metaphorical and concrete loss, of tremendous racial injustice - this is the guiding question Pike has held at its center. These crises, of health and justice, have challenged us to find new ways to best live our mission and vision. Our teachers are at the heart of Pike and have been innovative beyond imagination. They have redesigned lessons and assessments to build connection, inspire curiosity, and sustain growth while six feet apart, masked, or via screens. Our motto, Non Sibi Solum, Not for Oneself Alone, has called each of us to adjust our individual lives for our collective well being. Guided by new policies, our shared sacrifices have helped our community stay healthy and our campus open five days a week, every week thus far. Yet, even in the midst of worldwide disruption, we continue to stretch ourselves to envision a brighter future. As a new school year, a new strategic plan, and a healthier world await us, we believe we are on the cusp of this brighter future, a world more worthy of our children. If you are also looking ahead - inquisitive, hopeful, and eager, would you like to help create the future with us?

Working at Pike means immersing yourself in a student-centered culture and compassionate, diverse community. Opportunities for strategic thinking, innovation and learning are plentiful. If you’re passionate, motivated, and can’t help but dream about what’s possible for all children – we invite you to take a closer look at Pike. The Pike School, an independent elementary school in Andover, MA, serves approximately 450 students in grades pre-kindergarten through nine.  Learn more about our commitment to possibility. 

The opportunity: Fifth Grade Teacher

The Pike School is seeking a Fifth Grade Teacher beginning in the 2021-2022 school year.  The fifth grade team consists of a total of three teachers who collaboratively design the best possible experience for their students.  This teacher will be responsible for a homeroom class as well as teach students from the other two fifth grade homerooms. Collaboration and effective communication are essential skills for this position, as are a sense of humor and joy for working with students in this age group and for all of the subject matter included in the fifth grade curriculum.

Core Responsibilities:

• Designing, planning, and implementing instruction for approximately 45 fifth grade students across three sections.
• Guiding one anchor room in a homeroom teacher/advisor capacity; focusing on the social-emotional development of those students in particular.
• Assessing, documenting, and communicating effectively about student growth and development.
• Understanding of and willingness to use multiple approaches to instruction based on student need; differentiating tasks and implementing accommodations and modifications for individual students.
• Partnering with administrators, learning services, counselors, and specialists in support of the student learning experience.
• Writing report cards three times per year to document student progress in regards to Pike’s Essential Outcomes.
• Meeting with families for twice-yearly conferences about academic progress and social-emotional development, and on an as-needed basis throughout the year.

Desired Qualities and Qualifications

• A passion for working with students in this age group and a record of outstanding teaching as well as thoughtful innovation moderated by a skillful and sensitive approach to change. 
• A growth mindset and the ability to develop positive working relationships with all constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and administration.
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity to organizational dynamics; exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with engaging students in class discussions, fostering critical reading, writing, and problem-solving skills. 
• Desire to work in a dynamic independent school as a team player, eagerly assuming many roles, and devoting the time required to model excellence in job performance.
• Commitment to professional growth, a collaborative approach for planning, instructing & supporting students, research/evidence-based practice, and Pike’s values of equity and justice.
• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of two years classroom experience.

https://www.pikeschool.org/about/employment
Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter, which addresses how your experience meets the expectations of the position as stated above.