Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Posted: 03-Mar-26
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
Type: Part Time
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Categories:
Salary Details:
Required Education:
Middle School Spanish Teacher
The Pathfinder School
Traverse City, Michigan
Full-Time | 2026–2027 School Year
The Pathfinder School, an independent school in Traverse City, Michigan, seeks a part-time (50%) Spanish Teacher for the 2026–27 academic year.
About The Pathfinder School
The Pathfinder School’s mission is to ensure that each student builds a foundation of intellectual skill and self-assurance through immersion in rigorous learning environments that require creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, initiative, and responsibility.
With class sizes capped at 16 students per grade level, Pathfinder teachers cultivate meaningful relationships and engage students through inquiry-driven instruction. We seek educators who value questioning, thoughtful discourse, and the pursuit of understanding over rote delivery of content.
Position Overview
Pathfinder School is seeking a passionate and skilled Part-Time Spanish Teacher to instruct students in 5th through 8th grades. The ideal candidate will implement a clearly articulated scope and sequence that builds linguistic proficiency year over year, with a strong emphasis on:
- Oral speaking and listening comprehension
- Foundational grammar and literacy development
- Cultural fluency and intercultural competency
Students completing 8th grade should be well-prepared for advanced high school Spanish placement.
Teaching Responsibilities
- 5th Grade: Two (2) lessons per week
- 6th Grade: Three (3) lessons per week
- 7th Grade: Three (3) lessons per week
- 8th Grade: Three (3) lessons per week
- Develop and implement lesson plans aligned to the school’s scope and sequence
- Prioritize immersive and communicative teaching methods
- Cultivate confident speakers through active dialogue, repetition, and meaningful interaction
- Prepare students with the grammatical foundation necessary for advanced high school coursework
- Integrate age-appropriate reading and writing instruction to support proficiency
Instruction should meaningfully incorporate cultural studies from:
- North America, Central America, and South America
- Spain in Europe
Students should develop an appreciation for the diversity of Spanish-speaking cultures, histories, traditions, and contemporary life. The goal is to foster intercultural awareness, empathy, and global understanding, equipping students to engage thoughtfully in a multilingual world.
Application Process
- Cover Letter and Resume
- One-page statement of educational philosophy
Materials should be emailed to Interim Head of School Ben Hebebrand at bhebebrand@thepathfinderschool.org.
Application Deadline: March 27, 2026.
The Pathfinder School reserves the right to make a hiring decision prior to this deadline.
The Pathfinder School is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who will contribute to a diverse and inclusive school community.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required (Spanish, Education, or related field preferred)
- Teaching certification preferred but not required
- Native or near-native fluency in Spanish
- Experience teaching upper elementary and/or middle school students
- Strong classroom management skills
- Commitment to collaboration and ongoing curriculum development
- Passion for working in a small-school environment