DIVISION: LOWER SCHOOL

JOB TITLE: LOWER SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER

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.

Polytechnic School seeks a dynamic Lower School Spanish teacher who introduces students to the joys and beauty of language learning and provides engaging Spanish lessons with real-world applications.

The philosophy of the Lower School Spanish program aims to immerse students in the Spanish language, allowing them to develop the competence to communicate effectively and interact with others with a cultural understanding.

Candidates should be passionate about teaching, emanate a love of teaching Spanish to elementary school-aged students, and have the desire to share and collaborate with colleagues across all subject areas.

Responsibilities: As a member of the Lower School faculty, the Spanish teacher’s primary responsibilities include teaching and managing a self-contained classroom where classes of students are scheduled for Spanish in grades K-5 and communicating with parents, colleagues, and administrators.

Engage robustly in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion to promote a healthy learning environment.

The ideal candidate will be joining a K-12 World Languages department that values collegiality, flexibility, and embraces cultural and linguistic diversity. Applicants should be well grounded in educational theory with a comfort level for teaching all levels of Spanish.

In addition, the applicant should be able to understand and apply a variety of classroom instructional strategies to help develop, in their students, a sense of curiosity about the world of languages.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a willingness to learn and collaborate with other adults on campus. Mindful that learning is a life-long process, applicants should be committed to continued professional growth.

The ideal candidate will have an interest in and commitment to developmental education, differentiated instruction, interdisciplinary teaching, and language skills that empower students to participate in a diverse world.

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

• Deliver Spanish instruction through project-based learning methods
• Implement the National Standards for Learning Languages
• Attend professional development and training related to Spanish programs and methodologies, staying abreast of current research
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques, instructional media, and performance assessments, which guide the learning process toward curriculum goals and student learning
• Use technology to promote learning, creativity, and collaboration
• Participate enthusiastically in the greater life of the school
• Willingness to take on other duties as needed

Physical requirements and work environment

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  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

Compensation

Polytechnic School is committed to attracting and retaining talented, dedicated employees. The anticipated base compensation for this position is $69,000 to $87,000, based on full-time teaching 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.

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  A BA/BS is required, and a MA (or advanced coursework) with a concentration in Spanish education, proficiency level: native or near-native speaker, a minimum of three years experience teaching Spanish in Lower School, and independent school teaching experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with the revised National Standards for Learning Languages (World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages) and the guiding principles that clarify what language learners would do to demonstrate progress on each Standard.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience creating inclusive learning environments and opportunities.