Are you the type of teacher who wants to connect deeply with your students and the subject matter, who is excited by experiential learning opportunities in a small school environment? Gardner School is looking for dedicated and creative educators to join our dynamic staff and help move the school forward as a leader in progressive education in Clark County. Gardner is a place where creativity, connection, curiosity, and courage are celebrated, and where learning is ongoing for students and staff.
What makes Gardner a unique place to work?
A legacy going back to 1995, when we were founded on the tenets of progressive education, with a focus on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Our values as a school influence all decisions we make, and our team strives to make the work environment productive, collaborative, and kind.
Teachers create engaging, integrated learning opportunities connecting students with art, science, movement, language, music, and nature. Class sizes are small at Gardner, under 18 students, so teachers get to focus on building strong relationships and meeting student needs.
Our teachers are known for being collaborative and collegial, and pursue professional development to grow in skills and knowledge. A growth mindset is valued at Gardner.
Our small administrative team is passionate about the work we do at Gardner, and our teachers are supported through collaborative conversations focused on professional growth and student success. We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive, diverse, equitable, and sustainable for teachers.
Our curriculum approach allows teachers to tailor learning opportunities to the needs of their students. Following our core standards and best practices, teachers can utilize innovative approaches to ignite curiosity and deepen student learning.
Our 5 acre campus is situated near the WSU-V campus, allowing for hiking and nature opportunities on their trail system. Our wetlands and school garden provide opportunities for teachers to use the natural world in their lesson design.
Position Summary:
Our Assistant Teachers work together with lead teachers, parents, students, other staff, and administration to support a learning environment rich in academics and social-emotional skills. Importantly, an Assistant Teacher at Gardner brings curiosity, creativity, joy, and humor to our community, demonstrating an appreciation for the same qualities in our students. The ideal candidate is someone who sees value in being part of a team, and who can be flexible to respond to needs of the whole school. For candidates working with the Early Childhood position, current Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) certification is required. Assistant Teachers are often called upon first for substitute teaching opportunities, as well.
Responsibilities:
Assist Lead Teacher(s) with classroom management and be committed to oversee the safety and well-being of students in the classroom and outdoors. This includes providing minor first aid as needed.
Help to maintain school policies, regulations (including WAC and DCYF rules), and expectations, and complete required forms and assessments in a timely manner.
Assist in the preparation of the indoor and outdoor learning environments (ex: preparing materials and supplies, cleaning up, properly storing materials in collaboration with the children). This includes assessing areas for risk, cleaning and repairing items as needed and possible.
Attend and support the classroom events as needed. Occasionally represent the school at community or public events, sometimes on evenings or weekends.
Complete additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Earned high school diploma or higher degree, preferably in a field related to education or child development. If working with our early childhood students, DCYF certification is required prior to beginning work. Certification will require a clean background and fingerprint check, First Aid and CPR certification, a negative tuberculosis test, and proof of vaccination against or immunity to measles. Gardner can help with the logistics and process if you do not have a current DCYF certification.
Experience with children in formal or informal settings, and can show creativity and kindness in response to the natural benefits and challenges of working with children with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and developmental levels.
Desire to contribute in positive ways to a school community. Excited about working in a play-based preschool environment and/or a dynamic elementary school environment.
Dependable and punctual, understands the importance of being dependable for the school community. Meets professional expectations of the work environment, following policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
Willing to work with staff and administrators to reflect on processes, initiatives, and daily work expectations. Open to feedback and has a growth mindset about the role.
Can navigate verbal, digital, and written communication with administrators, staff, parents, and students to effectively communicate and work through challenges. Curious and kind in communication, showing care and openness to various cultures, experiences, and responses.
Able to meet physical requirements consistent with light physical duties required of an Assistant Teacher, generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with play-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:Faculty members are at all times responsible for the supervision of students in their care during classes and for students generally at all times when on campus or off campus during school activities.
WORKING CONDITIONS: This is a 10-month faculty position that follows an academic year. There are some required commitments outside of regular school hours, including evening and weekend commitments. Teachers are expected to travel with students on various experiential activities throughout the year, which may include overnight and/or trips out of state.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally combined with more strenuous physical duties consistent with place-based experiential learning and student trips off campus.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Salary: $30,000 - $35,500 (10 month position)
Position Classification: Salaried Exempt (Teacher)
Hours: Full Time (10am - 6pm)
Benefits: Full time positions qualify for Medical and Dental with employer contribution up to 100% (dependent on schedule), retirement plan (up to 3% employer match), paid time off.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, please submit a resume and introductory letter expressing your interest in teaching or working at Gardner School of Arts & Sciences to careers@gardnerschool.org.
It is the policy of Gardner School to maintain a working environment free of all forms of unlawful discrimination. Gardner School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, religion and national or ethnic origin, age, or disability in the administration of educational policies, employment practices or any other school-administered policies or practices.