DIVISION: Lower School

JOB TITLE: FELLOW, KINDERGARTEN

ABOUT POLY

Founded in 1907, Polytechnic School is the first nonprofit, coeducational, K-12, independent school in Southern California. The meaning of polytechnic as “many arts” is reflected in the school’s ambitious and student-centered educational program. Nationally recognized as a K-12 educational leader, Poly develops the unique intellect, talents, and character of each student through transformative teaching within a diverse community devoted to academic excellence, the creative arts, the camaraderie of team sports, and service to others.

Poly strives to be an inclusive community that fosters academic excellence and personal growth by ensuring that all of our 870 students, nearly 65% of whom identify as Students of Color, are seen, heard, and valued as their authentic selves. We respect the dignity and worth of every individual and seek to celebrate the joy, the love, and the creativity that emanate from the human spirit. Throughout our Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools, students, faculty, and staff commit to deepening our understanding and knowledge of ourselves, each other, and our ever-changing world.

Within our community of care, Poly students build the confidence and capacity to think critically and creatively to become responsible global citizens and intellectual leaders. Taught by an extraordinary faculty, Poly graduates are ready to fulfill the promise of their talents and lead meaningful, purposeful lives.

To learn more about Polytechnic School, please visit us.

Position Purpose: Successful Fellows progress through a two-year program (following the first year, the Fellow is considered for another one-year contract) that prepares them for careers in education as high-caliber lead teachers. As a full-time member of the Lower School faculty, the Fellow’s primary responsibilities include developing the knowledge and skills required to successfully teach kindergarten, manage a self-contained kindergarten classroom, work with students in grades K-5, and communicate with parents, colleagues, and administrators.

The Fellow reports to the Lower School Director and works under the direction of the Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning with support from a mentor teacher.

The successful candidate will take a student-centered approach to all schoolwork and will use the school’s mission to support the academic, extracurricular, social, and emotional success of students.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Meet regularly with Fellow Program Coordinators and the Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning to receive ongoing professional development and feedback and implement any recommendations made
• Meet all professional development goals
• Under the regular guidance of the mentor teacher and the Student Success Team, plan and implement classroom instruction, assess and support the academic progress and social-emotional growth of the students, and foster diversity, inclusion, and social justice to promote a healthy learning environment
• Collaborate with members of the Lower School faculty, staff, and the entire K-12 community
• Supervise students at play and during snack and lunch
• Serve as a “Panther Pod” co-leader (Lower School advisory program)
• Participate enthusiastically in the greater life of the school
• Willingness to take on other duties as needed

Physical requirements and work environment

• Work in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines, as well as a diverse array of contacts
• Work at a desk and computer
• Ability to spend time sitting on the floor and working at a child’s level
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
• Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled classroom environment
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold

Salary

Polytechnic School is committed to attracting and retaining talented, dedicated employees through a competitive compensation plan that is commensurate with experience.

Benefits

A full benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage and a TIAA/CREF retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Employer

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Poly will recruit, hire, train, and promote faculty and staff without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, pregnancy, age, medical condition and physical or mental disability (whether perceived or actual), or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. School policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

• 
  Bachelor’s degree (required)
• Engage robustly in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote a healthy learning enviroment
• Desire for a career as a lead teacher
• Commitment to professional growth and working collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents on a regular basis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills