Career Center

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, coeducational, pre-K-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

 As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

POSITION SUMMARY

William Penn Charter School seeks a second grade classroom teacher to cover a year-long sabbatical leave for the 2022-23 academic year. Applicants must possess a Master’s degree in education or related field and at least three years of experience with lower school children. Experience with the Math in Focus and Readers and Writers Workshop curriculums is required and experience with the Responsive Classroom approach is preferred. 

The successful candidate will also embrace student-centered pedagogy, model curiosity and a desire for professional growth, and exhibit a willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues. Additionally, they will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both in their teaching practice and in building relationships. The ability to design creative lessons that weave critical components of the curriculum into experiential and project-based learning activities is also essential. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education and Responsive Classroom is highly desirable. 

Essential Functions: 

• Participate in co-curricular activities such as coaching, clubs, assisting with theatrical performance, community service, or enrichment activity. 
• Attend meetings and supervise recess/lunch duties according to a rotational schedule. 
• Report grades and write comments according to predetermined dates on the school calendar. 
• Maintain a growth mindset and actively participate in faculty professional development and supervision, including observations and feedback conversations with support from the assistant head, division director, and department chair. 
• Work as a contributing member in concert with the grade-level teaching team and the broader lower school faculty. 
• Maintain ongoing parent communication, including newsletters, emails, phone calls, and social media 
• Incorporate diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, belonging, and Quaker values into all aspects of the curriculum 
• Other duties as assigned 

Competencies:

• A deep understanding of child development 
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in their approach to the work and building relationships with students and other community members 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• A comprehensive understanding of the field of education and a demonstrated willingness to explore and embrace new pedagogical practices, technologies, and developing trends 
• Demonstrated experience working with school-age children on the curriculum listed below and an ability to adjust teaching methods to ensure they are developmentally appropriate 
• Reading and Writing Workshop 
• Math in Focus 
• Project-Based Learning 
• Responsive Classroom 
• Integration of DEI, Belonging, Social Justice, and Quaker Testimonies 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to quickly adapt to changing group dynamics 
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community 
• Ability to use various platforms and systems within Google Suite 

Physical Demands: 

• Ability and willingness to work in unpredictable weather conditions 
• Ability to lift at least 20 pounds 
• Ability to walk, stand, or kneel for extended periods of time 

Required education and experience: 

• A graduate degree in a related field and/or a combination of education and experience. 
• At least three years of lower school classroom experience 

Preferred education and experience 

• Master’s degree in Education 
• Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education 

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

Prior to hiring, we ask all potential employees to be vaccinated and protected from the life-threatening impact of COVID-19. At Penn Charter, we have supported our community's efforts to eradicate the spread of COVID-19 by facilitating access to Covid-19 vaccinations for all current employees and eligible students. 

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.