Lower School General Studies Teacher

Position Overview
We are seeking a passionate, experienced, and collaborative Lower School General Studies Teacher to join our faculty on a full-time basis. The ideal candidate will create an engaging, nurturing, and academically rigorous classroom environment where young learners are encouraged to think critically, develop strong foundational skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

The Lower School General Studies Teacher will be responsible for delivering high-quality instruction across the elementary general studies curriculum, developing and overseeing thoughtful lesson plans, and ensuring that instruction is aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards. The teacher will work collaboratively with colleagues and school leadership to support student growth, maintain curriculum continuity, and provide meaningful learning experiences that meet the developmental needs of each student.

Key Responsibilities
Plan and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction across core Lower School general studies subjects.

Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive lesson plans, units of study, and curriculum materials.

Ensure curriculum and instruction are aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards and school-wide academic expectations.

Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse academic, social, and learning needs of individual students.

Create a positive, inclusive, and stimulating classroom environment that encourages curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Assess student learning through formal and informal assessments and use assessment data to guide instruction.

Monitor student progress and communicate academic growth, strengths, and areas for development to families and school leadership.

Maintain clear and organized curriculum documentation, pacing guides, assessments, and instructional resources.

Collaborate with grade-level teachers, specialists, administrators, and support staff to ensure consistency and continuity across the Lower School.

Participate in curriculum development, review, and refinement initiatives.

Incorporate a variety of instructional strategies, technology, hands-on learning experiences, and age-appropriate resources to engage students.

Support students in developing strong skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and other areas of the general studies program.

Establish clear classroom expectations and promote a respectful, supportive, and productive learning environment.

Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, parent/teacher conferences, school events, and other community activities.

Maintain accurate student records and complete required reports and documentation in a timely manner.

Stay current with best practices in elementary education, curriculum development, assessment, and instructional pedagogy.

Contribute positively to the broader school community and support the school's mission, values, and educational philosophy.

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Childhood Education, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.

New York State teaching certification appropriate to the grade level strongly preferred/required.

Experience teaching in a Lower School or elementary school setting.

Strong knowledge of elementary curriculum development and instructional practices.

Familiarity with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.

Demonstrated ability to develop rigorous, engaging, and developmentally appropriate lesson plans.

Strong classroom management and student engagement skills.

Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, administrators, specialists, and families.

Commitment to differentiated instruction and meeting the needs of diverse learners.

A warm, flexible, creative, and student-centered approach to teaching.

deal Candidate
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic educator who brings energy, creativity, organization, and a genuine passion for working with young children. They will be both an effective classroom teacher and a thoughtful curriculum planner who can take ownership of lesson development while collaborating as part of a dynamic Lower School team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence while recognizing the importance of social-emotional development, student confidence, curiosity, and joy in the learning process.