Bellevue, Washington
Brooklyn, New York
New York, New York
Posted: 20-May-25
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Required Education:
To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to spanishteacherjob@anconaschool.org
Summary/Objective
The Ancona School seeks a full-time head teacher for Spanish. The teacher will provide instruction of the Spanish language using a cultural context to embed the teaching and learning. The language teacher is responsible for evaluating student progress in the subject matter and communicating regularly with parents, including weekly updates to the classroom web page, and emails and phone calls to inform the child’s family of academic and social-emotional development. This teacher writes narrative-based progress reports, leads the class as part of school assemblies and special events, monitors student behavior, and responds by developing prosocial behaviors and self-regulation.
Our Program
The Spanish curriculum builds upon the belief that students’ language learning should be a positive, non-threatening process, similar to the way children acquire their first language. Within our classroom, students learn not only language and pronunciation skills, but also learning strategies that will aid them as they continue their studies in later years. Our approach is meant to foster spontaneous and meaningful communication among students, interest and enthusiasm for Spanish-speaking cultures, and empathy for the people living within those cultures. We frequently use a process known as TPRS – Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling. This method emphasizes the importance of repetition of “comprehensible input” — listening and reading that is understood by the learner –as a way to more effectively acquire language.
Our curriculum weaves lessons related to geography, daily life, history, politics, music, art, and struggles for peace and social justice within the Spanish-speaking world. The intense focus on these themes as seen through the lens of human rights and social justice is both progressive and potentially transformative; cultivating compassionate, culturally proficient and geographically knowledgeable global citizens who have the power to become positive change agents. Each year, within a four-year cycle, we focus on a different part of the world where Spanish is spoken: 1) Spain 2) Mexico, Central America & the Spanish-Speaking Caribbean, 3) South America, and 4) The LatinX Community in the U.S.A.
Essential Job Function
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Follow and create curriculum that incorporates language and cultural studies as well as focuses heavily on social justice issues within the target regions
- Plan and supervise overnight camping trip and an annual study-abroad trip
- Assess and report on student progress four times per year
- Plan and lead field trips to local institutions and parks/natural areas
- Supervise lunch and recess daily
- Partner with all adults responsible for students; collaborate with colleagues to plan and execute weekly Flex Days
- Participate in professional development, faculty work days, and weekly faculty meetings
- Prepare for and present at school events, such as open houses and informational dinners
- Communicate regularly with parents via email and the classroom website
- Use innovative approaches to World Language instruction (speaking, reading, listening, writing)
- Incorporate song, dance, theater, and storytelling into lessons
- Partner with community based organizations to enrich the curriculum
- Engage in discussions about equity and inclusion as it relates to the target cultures
Pre-class preparation, including consultation with the Student Support Team and Grade Level Team
- Track attendance and report to the school office students who are in/out
- Receive and welcome students
- Consult with other teachers for curriculum ideas, sharing materials, and scheduling common activities
Teaching Expectations During Class
- Uphold and reinforce positive behavior by modeling or drawing attention to ground rules
- Remain in contact with the whole group and sense changing mood or activity
- Conference with individual children about their work
- Treat children with unconditional positive regard and provide individualized care for needs
Expectations After Dismissal
- Refresh the environment
- Complete daily notes
- Reflect on individual children and group interaction
- Assemble materials for the following instructional day
- Communicate with SST and grade level team about any learning or social-emotional issues that surfaced during the day
Weekly Expectations
- Note needed janitorial services, work orders
- Restructure classroom routine as needed
- Place orders or go shopping for class materials
- Meet with co-workers, Division Head, and Head of School to share ideas, plan, and problem solve
- Perform the following selected duties as needed:
- Update long-range class and children’s records
- Organize special projects
- Read professional journals or articles
- Confer with Head of School as requested
Occasional and Ongoing Expectations
- Support student-led fundraising events
- Prepare notes for conferences
- Participate in staff meetings
- Participate in parent education
- Participate in Board meetings, as requested
- Participate in professional meetings outside of school
- Prepare for school’s community activities such as open houses, observations, and all general meetings or special events
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Head of School and/or Department Head
Work Area Assigned
Classroom, Potential for Push-in Instruction, Outdoor Learning Space, Hallway; must secure substitute or leave only at assigned breaks.
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience
- Masters in Education, or Spanish, or related area
- Minimum of three years of teaching rooted in progressive education
- Elementary teaching experience
- Experience integrating social justice themes into a curriculum
- Familiarity with Macintosh platform and Google suite of products, as well as Zoom
Requirements
- CPR/First Aid certification (preferred)
- Pass a background check
- Have the physical capacity to work with children.
- Keep up with professional development – 15 hours per school year.
Physical Demands
- Reaching
- Standing
- Walking
- Lifting
- Feeling
- Talking
- Hearing
- Repetitive motion
- Sedentary work, light work, medium work
- Close visual acuity
Work Environment
- Inside and outside environmental conditions
- Noise
Competencies
- Fluency in Spanish
- Strong classroom management, knowledge of Responsive Classroom a plus
- Teaching and supporting diverse student population
- Communicating constructively and productively with colleagues and parents
- Openness to growth and change
Expected Hours of Work
Monday-Friday, 7:50 am-3:30 pm
Wednesdays, 3:35-4:45 pm (Reserved for Staff Meetings)
Travel
- Chaperone one 5 day/ 4 night out-of-state outdoor education experience each fall and one international week-long trip each spring.
Dress:
- Professional attire
- Be prepared to sit on the floor
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of Ancona School not to discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: recruitment and employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, selection for training including apprenticeship, layoff, and termination.
To Apply: Email your resume and cover letter to spanishteacherjob@anconaschool.org