<p>Title: Lower School Teacher</p> <p>Department/Location: Lower School Faculty, St. Louis</p> <p>Position Type: Full-Time, 39-week</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Principia is looking for a Lower School Teacher to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment rooted in a positive classroom community, engaging academics, developmentally responsive teaching, and effective management. In this role, you will plan and teach reading, writing, word study, and mathematics through a workshop approach. Science and social studies are taught through an integrated project-based approach that promotes deep understanding and real-world application. Your creativity, instructional expertise, and commitment to student-centered learning will be key to your success. Reporting to the Lower School Principal, you will play a critical role in nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and academic growth in young learners. You'll collaborate with fellow educators to design meaningful, integrated learning experiences that support the whole child.</p> <p>Who We Are</p> <p>At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.</p> <p>At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child-intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.</p> <p>Primary Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Displays a strong interest and love for working with elementary-age students; maintains a mindset deeply grounded in the spiritual individuality and unlimited potential of each child. </li><li>Plans and delivers engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons in reading, writing, phonics, math, ConnectEd Learning (science and social studies) in accordance with Principia's curriculum; differentiates instruction </li><li>Effectively integrates 21st-century skills into the classroom helping students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills </li><li>Uses formative and summative assessments to effectively inform instruction </li><li>Demonstrates ability to use a variety of technology tools to enhance curriculum and student learning (e.g. iPad, interactive display tv, various apps, etc.) </li><li>Recognizes the value of fostering an inclusive and respectful classroom where all students feel seen, heard, and valued </li><li>Effectively integrates future-ready skills into the classroom helping students develop strong critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, research, and communication skills </li><li>Effectively works with a wide range of students - helping them feel successful and to understand their unlimited potential </li><li>Handles discipline situations in an effective manner that supports character growth </li><li>Pursues professional development and looks to apply best practices in the classroom; becomes part of a professional learning community where teachers are continually improving teaching and learning </li><li>Actively participates in school-wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and parent meetings </li><li>Actively collaborates with colleagues across levels and departments to support the implementation of school-wide initiatives </li><li>Recognizes that spiritually-based character education is as important as the subject matter being taught </li><li>Other duties as assigned </li></ul> <p>Core Competencies</p> <ul> <li>Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates' strengths and how they can complement each other. </li><li>Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner </li><li>Strategic thinkers: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions. </li><li>Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas </li><li>Communication: Provides regular, consistent, and meaningful information. Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood. Ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties. Communicates in a clear and concise manner. Tailors communication style to needs of the recipient. </li><li>Ethical: Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity; upholds organizational values </li><li>Planning and Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; manages multiple projects and tasks simultaneously </li></ul> <p>Minimum Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Student of Christian Science preferred </li><li>Supportive of Principia's guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements </li><li>Bachelor's degree in education (elementary degree/certification preferred); Master's degree preferred (in Education) </li><li>Relevant teaching experience with elementary-age students, with a strong foundation in the teaching of reading and phonics </li><li>The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. </li></ul> <p>Compensation and Benefits</p> <p>We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $53,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor's degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.</p> <p>In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:</p> <ul> <li>Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). </li><li>Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles </li><li>Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. </li><li>Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. </li></ul>