Position Description: 

The Lower School Teacher is responsible for fostering a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for students. The teacher will work collaboratively with colleagues, administrators, and parents to support each student's academic, social, and emotional growth. This position reports to the Lower School Director and works closely with students and families, as well as Lower School faculty and staff.

Responsibilities: 

• Create and sustain a classroom culture based on the mission and values of the school.  
• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding children as a priority.
• Supervise recess and lunch according to duty schedules, monitor student safety at all times.
• Develop well-reasoned, age appropriate lesson plans and units for all aspects of the academic curriculum including language arts, mathematics, social studies, social-emotional learning, and project based work.
• Apply various effective, research-based instruction and assessment techniques; differentiate instruction as needed; emphasis on experiential and project based learning experiences.
• Manage a positive and structured learning environment, embrace a responsive behavior management style to create a safe and comfortable environment for all students.
• Communicate proactively and consistently with parents/guardians and colleagues; conference with families twice yearly and as needed throughout the year; write progress reports each trimester.
• Collaborate with administrators, the school counselor, learning specialists, and specialist teachers to support students throughout the day.
• Attend and participate positively in faculty meetings and school events.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, as well as in the professional growth model specific to The McGillis School.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times.
• Participate in co-curricular program opportunities specific to The McGillis School (Family Group, Shabbat, Advisory, etc.)
• Be patient, positive, and find joy in the journey of promoting a lifelong love of learning (limud l’shma).

The ideal candidate will have: 

• A commitment to collaborative planning, research, and analysis of best practices of teaching and learning.
• A commitment to experiential and project based learning, as well as a restorative approach to classroom/behavior management.
• A college degree in teaching, a related subject area, or equivalent professional experience.
• A growth mindset and comfort in taking risks.  
• Familiarity with culturally competent teaching and the ability to build an inclusive and equitable community.

About The McGillis School

The McGillis School is home to 395 Kindergarten through 8th Grade students in Salt Lake City, Utah. McGillis is rooted in Jewish values and open to children of all backgrounds, faiths, and perspectives. We are an independent private school accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools. Our vision is to inspire and prepare our learners for a lifetime of creating a better world.

Connections working at The McGillis School