Lower School Spanish Teacher JK/SK

Latin School of Chicago is seeking an experienced Lower School Spanish Lead Teacher for Junior and Senior Kindergarten / In-House Substitute Teacher. This is a full-time position with two parts: Less than 50% as Lower School Spanish Teacher for JK and SK, and the majority as floating, in-house substitute.

Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a passion for teaching and supporting students in an outstanding academic environment.

A teacher at Latin aims to provide students with an authentic, hands-on, interactive, and collaborative learning experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continually review age-appropriate Spanish curriculum to nurture and stimulate children’s interest.
• Collaborate with homeroom teachers and specialist teachers to integrate Spanish and support learning throughout the lower school
• Collaborate with Spanish teacher(s) of older children on scaffolding a cohesive curriculum sequence from JK through 4th grade.
• Provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment that reflects the children's learning and growth
• Perform assigned tasks outside of teaching Spanish such as lunch or recess duty, faculty meetings, and committee fulfillments
• Demonstrate cultural competency and respect for the children’s background by incorporating the cultural, linguistic and familial values and beliefs into daily instruction
• Assess student progress towards learning targets, objectives, expectations, and/or goals for the purpose of providing feedback to students, parents, and administration
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members by communicating in a tactful, courteous, and confidential manner
• Attend and participate in all aspect of lower school life (grade level meetings, vertical team meetings, assemblies, parent communication, divisional and cross-divisional meetings)
• Actively participate in on-going embedded professional development and professional learning communities
• Meet the needs of the whole child and support the social/emotional growth of all students
• Manage student behavior for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment
• Maintain a safe, organized classroom, which supports students’ independent learning, collaboration and choice

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and 3-5 years teaching experience, ideally in a lower school setting, are required. A Master’s degree in Education is preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience teaching elementary-aged students.
• Experience delivering hands-on curriculum.
• Successful experience implementing a communicative approach and a variety of second-language acquisition methodologies

Skills:

• Native or near-native language skills and ability to appropriately facilitate classes in the target language
• Knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures and experience living abroad
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students
• Able to independently manage, monitor, and safely transition 20 – 25 students.
• Well-versed in educational technology; ability to fully embed technology into the instructional program
• Experience designing curriculum using ACTFL Standards and proficiency targets
• Experience implementing Responsive Classroom approach to teaching
• Positive, enthusiastic outlook
• Flexible and eager to work with others. Diplomatic, collaborative, and proactive.
• Creative problem poser and solver
• Experience using or familiarity with the ACTFL Standards and Proficiency Guidelines to structure and assess student learning
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion of students and fellow faculty
• Able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and unexpected situations
• Ability to reliably attend to and support students throughout the day.
• Maintain assessment records and write individual student grade reports for JK/SK

Please submit a cover letter in addition to a resume as part of your application.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to stand and walk for long periods at a time
• Able to climb multiple flights of stairs
• Able to lift and move up to 20 lbs.
• Able to speak clearly so listeners can understand; able to understand others
• Able to see details of people and objects more than a few feet away
• Able to complete fine motor tasks neatly

Latin School embraces diversity of people, cultures, and ideas and is an equal opportunity employer.