First Grade Teacher

THE POSITION

The Park School is seeking a 1st Grade homeroom teacher for fall 2023. The homeroom teacher is responsible for all academic subject areas within an integrated curriculum. The position also involves active collaboration with the two other homeroom teachers and with special area teachers in coordinating programs. Reporting to parents and involving parents in their children’s education are additional key responsibilities. All Lower School teachers share in covering routine duties, attend weekly faculty meetings, and other meetings as needed. 

Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences. 

We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education. 

We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.

The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 845 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning. 

 

ABOUT PARK’S LOWER SCHOOL

Park’s Lower School is committed to progressive principles of education. Respect for children and confidence in their natural capacity to learn — and to enjoy learning — are key. The program at all grade levels centers on experiential learning within an integrated curriculum. Our approach emphasizes open-ended inquiry and problem solving, collaborative projects, and exposure to a wide range of learning activities and materials, anchored by a focus on essential understandings and attention to basic skills.

In addition to taking full responsibility for students’ learning in core subject areas and their emotional growth, homeroom teachers individually and collectively are the creators of the curriculum. They engage in ongoing development and review, both as grade level teams and in cross-grade-level and division-wide initiatives. Faculty are also strongly involved in divisional and school-wide diversity initiatives. 

The Lower School at Park includes Pre-Kindergarten to 5th Grade, with 40+ faculty and an enrollment of 275+ students. Support personnel include a Lower School Principal, Assistant Principal, Learning Resource Teachers, and a Lower School Counselor. There are three sections of first grade; each classroom teacher is responsible for one section of 15-18 students. Special area teachers provide instruction in art, music, physical education, spanish, library, technology, and science. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Passion for teaching and commitment to the education of lower school children are essential. The ability to work collaboratively within a grade level team and to communicate effectively with parents are also necessary. Additional qualifications include: 

● Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods 

● Formal training in lower school education (M.A. or M.A.T. preferred) 

● Classroom experience at the lower school level (3+ years)

● Demonstrated strength in teaching mathematics both for conceptual understanding and skills mastery; experience working with TERC Investigations math program is a plus 

● Demonstrated strength in teaching literacy skills through literature and process writing

● Experience in teaching inquiry-based science a strong plus 

● Experience in teaching an integrated, theme-centered curriculum a strong plus

● Experience in curriculum development a strong plus 

● Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply 


SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.

In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:

APPLICATION PROCESS
Due to the large volume of incoming résumés, we cannot accept phone calls. Send a letter of interest, personal statement, and résumé. Please indicate whether you plan to attend any national recruitment forums. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.


CONTACT
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net

The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.

COVID-19
Please note: Park School currently requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination, subject to legally required exemptions, as a condition of employment.