Detroit Country Day School is a private, independent, co-educational, non-denominational, preschool through grade 12, college preparatory school focused on a well-rounded liberal arts education. Emphasis on academics, arts, athletics, and character development is prevalent across the curriculum. DCDS believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are educational imperatives for the intellectual, social, and moral growth of every child. We honor the dignity of every human being and value differences that exist and are expressed throughout our vibrant school.
Position Summary
Detroit Country Day Middle School is seeking a dynamic and passionate Middle School Spanish Teacher to join our faculty. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to fostering a love for language learning while building students’ proficiency in Spanish through engaging and interactive lessons. This position requires a strong commitment to student success, collaboration with colleagues, and a deep understanding of middle school learners in a private school setting.
Essential Responsibilities
Instruction & Curriculum Development:
Plan and deliver engaging, student-centered lessons aligned with ACTFL proficiency standards.
Teach Spanish language and culture with an emphasis on communication, grammar, and vocabulary development.
Utilize a variety of instructional strategies, including storytelling, CI, music, technology, and authentic resources.
Assessment & Feedback:
Design and administer formative and summative assessments to evaluate student progress.
Provide timely and constructive feedback to students to support language acquisition.
Maintain accurate records of student performance and communicate progress to parents and administration.
Classroom Management & Student Engagement:
Create a positive, inclusive, and structured classroom environment.
Establish clear expectations and routines to promote student responsibility and engagement.
Encourage active participation in class discussions and language practice.
Collaboration & Professional Development:
Work collaboratively with colleagues and the department chair to develop interdisciplinary projects and align curriculum.
Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and school events.
Stay current with best practices in world language instruction and middle school pedagogy.
School Community & Additional Duties:
Serve on grade team
After the first year, serve as an advisor to a small group of students, fostering their academic and personal growth.
Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding student progress and classroom updates.
Support extracurricular activities, such as language clubs or cultural events, as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and/or Education
Master’s degree preferred
State teaching certification
5+ years of teaching experience
Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish
Overseas travel and/or living experience
Strong writing skills
Knowledge of middle school developmental needs
Appropriate language acquisition strategies for middle school students
Ability to integrate technology into instruction and effectively use our learning management system
Strong classroom management and communication skills
Passion for teaching and fostering a love of language and culture in students
Preference to candidates with coaching experience or expressed willingness to coach or direct activities
Applying for the position
Interested candidates should submit letter of interest, resume and references online at https://www.dcds.edu/about/careers
Founded in 1914, Detroit Country Day School is a top-tier, nationally ranked co-educational independent school for students in grades PreK3-12. The School offers an exemplary education rooted in academic rigor and a commitment to the full development of each student’s potential. The School develops citizens and leaders of the world in a culturally diverse environment of academic rigor, competitive athletics, and artistic expression, built on a foundation of service and character.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the student community of 1,523 includes 388 students in the Lower School in grades PreK3-grade 3; 535 students in the Middle School in grades 4-8 and 600 students in the Upper School in grades 9-12. The School has an extremely diverse student population, of which over 40% identify as students of color. In all three divisions, Detroit Country Day School is known for its strong academics and the opportunities available to students in outstanding offerings in athletics, dance, instrumental and vocal music, drama, and the visual arts. Students achieve regional, state, and national recognition for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and athletics, as well as their par...ticipation in community service. The School has approximately 300 full-time employees. Seventy percent of faculty members have earned advanced degrees.
Detroit Country Day School’s facilities are situated in two locations approximately three miles apart and less than one half hour from the center of Detroit. The Upper School (9-12) and Middle School (4-8) share adjoining campuses in Beverly Hills, where the administrative offices, facility services, safety and security services, and the main arts and athletics facilities are located. The Lower School (PreK-3) is located nearby in neighboring Bloomfield Hills. Both Beverly Hills and Bloomfield Hills are in Oakland County, which has the highest per capita income of any county in the state of Michigan and is one of the most affluent counties in the United States.
The Detroit Country Day Upper School offers a strong and varied program that provides numerous opportunities for students to demonstrate their individual strengths and develop their potential. The rigorous college-preparatory program, which includes Honors and Advanced Placement courses in each discipline in addition to a diverse selection of electives, prepares students for college and beyond. In addition to a series of honors and Advanced Placement courses, students at Detroit Country Day Upper School may pursue an International Baccalaureate Diploma.