Resident Teacher
Exempt 1.0 FTE
Reports to: Director of Educational Mentorship

All UCDS employees are expected to embody the school’s mission to design a culture of inquiry essential to meaningful learning; cultivate reflective, collaborative, skillful thinkers who ignite positive change in their communities; and engage diverse perspectives in an ongoing effort to shape and share our innovative education model.

Overview
University Child Development School (UCDS) located in Seattle, Washington is an independent school serving 390+ Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten) and Elementary (1st through 5th grade) students. In addition, the UCDS education institution comprises the UCDS Graduate School of Education. UCDS uniquely serves to prepare teachers, educate children, and develop innovations in curriculum and teaching. UCDS’s unique design as a place where both teachers and children learn, where early career teachers develop their practice, and where experienced teachers research and design curriculum, gives rise to its innovation. The Master of Education program is the evolution of UCDS’ deep history of developing and supporting exceptional educators.

Job Summary

The Resident Teacher Program at UCDS provides new teachers with the opportunity to work and learn alongside experienced faculty members in an Infant-Toddler, Early Elementary (Preschool-Kindergarten), or Elementary classroom (Grades 1-5) at an innovative independent school in Seattle, WA. Through mentorship, reflective practice, and professional development workshops, Resident Teachers gain deep insight into student learning, responsive teaching, and curriculum design.

Resident Teachers join the faculty in mid-August and work throughout the school year, ending in mid-June. They are fully immersed in classroom teaching, contributing to curriculum planning, implementing instructional practices, and participating in school-wide activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with experienced teachers to develop and implement curriculum in a dynamic, multi-age classroom environment.
• Partner closely with mentor teachers and grade-level team members.
• Contribute to classroom management and small group teaching, fostering a supportive learning environment for all students.
• Participate in formal and informal planning meetings during and after school hours.
• Engage in recess and lunch duties, offering opportunities to facilitate Social Emotional Learning.
• Support school-wide equity initiatives and participate in regular Resident Cohort meetings
• Attend and engage in regular professional development workshops.

Application Process

We’re excited to learn more about how you align with UCDS’s mission and values. To be considered for the Resident position, the application consists of two parts: a resume and a reflection. 

At UCDS, we encourage students to stretch, reflect, collaborate, and think expansively. Instead of a traditional cover letter, we are asking that Resident applicants submit a reflection about a meaningful education experience (as a learner or teacher) you’ve had and how this experience may shape your approach to teaching and learning. This experience may have influenced your education philosophy, personal or professional growth, your core values and beliefs, and more! 

The application has a place to upload your resume and reflection. The types of files that can be uploaded for the reflection are: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, png. If your reflection is not one of those file types, there is a place in the application to provide a link. 

Your reflection could be:

• A digital portfolio (using tools like Google Sites, Slides, or Canva)
• A written essay, poem, or short story
• Spoken word
• An original musical piece 
• Artwork with a video explanation or written statement

Please fill out an application at www.ucds.org/resident-program-application.

Education and/or Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS equivalent)
• Experience working with youth (informal or formal, mentorships, coaching, etc.)

Qualifications 

• Passion for education and learning.
• Strong collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Flexibility and high engagement in the learning process.
• A love for learning and growth.
• Commitment to advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive teaching and learning environment 
• Consistently demonstrates reliability and commitment to responsibilities.  

About UCDS

We are a preschool through 5th grade independent school with an Infant-Toddler Education Program. We encourage students to stretch, reflect, collaborate, and think expansively—enriching their educational growth and ensuring they thrive in school and beyond.

Connections working at UCDS