Compensation: Compensation (salary and benefits) is competitive with independent schools in the Seattle area and based on our faculty salary scale, which considers years of teaching experience and education.
The Meridian School offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package intended to support and promote the health and well-being, work/life balance, and financial security of our regular, full-time faculty, staff, and their families:
Employer-paid medical/vision insurance for employee
Employer-paid dental insurance for employee
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Contribution
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Life/AD&D Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Section 125 Health and Daycare Spending Accounts
Voluntary Short-Term Disability, Supplemental Dental and/or Vision, Cancer/Specified Disease, Critical Illness, and Hospital Confinement Insurance
School breaks that follow the academic calendar
Paid Time-Off for holidays, sick leave, personal leave, jury/witness duty leave, and bereavement leave
Professional Development
Required Education:
Masters
Description Are you...
A curious and creative teacher excited to bridge intellect, heart, and imagination in the classroom?
A compassionate educator and role model for students?
An enthusiastic community member eager to collaborate and build relationships?
A teacher that loves project-based learning?
Yes? Then read on!
Ideal candidates possess a background in elementary education, experience working with diverse learners, with a minimum of three years of experience as a lead teacher and/or learning specialist.
Who We Are:
We are an independent PreK-5 school located in Wallingford's Good Shepherd Center. Meridian inspires children to approach learning with passion and curiosity. Classes are small and our curriculum is challenging. We encourage students to be reflective, and to explore a diversity of thoughts and perspectives. We ask a lot of our students. We ask them to try, to make mistakes, to rebound, to apologize, to move forward with integrity. We ask them to take intellectual risks, and to be thoughtful caring community members. As citizens of the world, we encourage them to make connections between themselves, their local community and the larger global society. We strive for Meridian students to develop into curious, compassionate, responsible young adolescents who begin to understand the power that resides in their hearts and their minds.
We believe the challenges of our world require culturally-competent, well-rounded, critically thinking individuals prepared to be responsible and active global citizens. This is our work as educators in partnership with students and their families. We offer an academic education that balances the intellectual, emotional, and social growth of children. We believe a school community that is inclusive and diverse promotes a child’s sense of belonging. Meridian students learn to understand varying points of view, which over time will fuel innovation, creativity, and positive change for communities near and far.
Job Summary:
Under partnering supervision, provides an exceptional classroom experience for students, across-team collaboration to plan and deliver dynamic learning opportunities for students.
Specific Responsibilities:
Demonstrates best instructional practices to deliver a high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum to students
Develops, maintains, and revises curriculum maps in all content areas that are aligned to the School’s standards
Designs and delivers differentiated instruction
Assesses the academic and social-emotional needs of students in collaboration with colleagues and Assistant Head of School
Actively creates and maintains a well-managed, positive classroom environment that supports student engagement and motivation
Actively participates in faculty work aligned with the strategic plan
Has a commitment to ongoing cultural competence professional development and has the motivation to put these skills into practice
Understands and supports the school’s mission through professional conduct and actions which demonstrate the core values and philosophy of the organization
Initiates growth and change in own intellectual and professional development, seeking out feedback and other opportunities to learn
Attends community meetings, curriculum meetings, and in-service days
Writes student evaluations twice each year according to the school year calendar
Conducts parent/guardian conferences twice each year and supports our “open door” policy with parents, colleagues, and students
Communicates regularly, building a partnering relationship with parents/guardians
Participates in events such as Back to School Night, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Open House, admissions and other evening or weekend community gatherings as assigned
Writes weekly newsletters with grade-level team and openly communicates with families
Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all the School’s constituencies
Actively participates in the full life of the school
Vigorously engages in professional development; demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning by enhancing their skills, and embracing innovative technologies and creative thinking
Complies with all policies and expectations put forth in the school’s documents
Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
Performs other duties as assigned
Required Education & Experience:
Master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university required
Teaching certification preferred
Minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience
Experience working with elementary school-aged children
Experience working in an independent school environment preferred
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Proficient technology skills, ability to integrate technology into the curriculum.
Must have a valid WA driver’s license and be willing to drive Meridian vehicles for work-related tasks
Excellent organizational, writing, and communication skills
Flexibility, maturity, and a sense of humor
Ability to keep information in the strictest of confidence
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity
Proficient at working in a Google suite environment; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and learn new technology
Ability to attend overnight experiential learning trips
Ability to stand, go up and down stairs frequently, crouch
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds, interact with students, and move around the classroom
Ability to work outside in any type of weather
Ability to travel locally (for field trips)
If this sounds like you, please click on Apply for Job, complete our online employment application, and upload your resume and a cover letter indicating your interest in The Meridian School.
Don't meet every single requirement? At Meridian we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
The Meridian School is an equal opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate in employment decisions or policies in violation of law on the basis of any legally protected status, including race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age (over 40), marital status, physical or mental disability, use of a trained service animal, gender identity, sexual orientation, political ideology, HIV status, and veteran status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all of its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.
ABOUT MERIDIAN
Founded in 1976, The Meridian School is an independent, co-ed elementary school (Pre-K-5), located in the historic Good Shepherd Center in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood. The Meridian School is a place where the joy of childhood infuses the excitement of learning. By integrating curriculum, citizenship, and community, we provide the foundation for well-rounded students.
Committed to developing global citizens in an equitable and inclusive culture, Meridian promotes diversity of thought and identity and actively seeks dedicated and engaged culturally competent faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds.
OUR MISSION
The Meridian School cultivates a balance of mind and heart to nurture caring and confident learners prepared to thrive in and contribute to their local and global communities.
The Meridian School is an equal-opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate in employment decisions or policies in violation of law on the basis of any legally protected status, including race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age (over 40), marital status, physical or mental disability, use of a tra...ined service animal, gender identity, sexual orientation, political ideology, HIV status, and veteran status. Our policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all of its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.