Position Title: Classroom Teacher (Grades 7/8)

Employment Category: Category B

Permanent/Temporary: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Elementary and Middle School

Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt

Schedule (hours and weeks): Academic year, full-time

Benefits Eligible: Yes

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

As a classroom teacher for Chewonki Elementary and Middle School, a unique opportunity exists to be part of building a place-based education model in midcoast Maine. The position has direct responsibility for co-creating and delivering student-centered curriculum and educational experiences that are aligned with the Chewonki Mission, DEI Statement, and Elementary and Middle School educational philosophy. The teachers and students use our Chewonki Neck property and the surrounding area as an extended classroom for a rigorous and integrated academic curriculum that is experiential in nature. This position collaborates with the Head of Elementary and Middle School and the faculty team, support departments, and other programs at Chewonki. Significant educational philosophy, curriculum, and student behavior/progress decisions are made with the Head of Elementary and Middle School and may include the Chewonki leadership. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Teaching responsibilities
• Work to honor and uphold the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and a lens of anti-racism in the best interest of participants, constituents, and staff across the organization.
• Teach and team teach a multi-age group of about 12 students in grades 7/8, both indoors and outdoors. 
• Create a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning community with students, focusing on the social-emotional importance of the school experience and using the ‘whole child’ approach.
• Set clear behavior and academic expectations for students, cultivate an intrinsic motivation to meet them, and use positive discipline as needed.
• Collaborate with the Head of Elementary and Middle School to create, document, and implement authentic curriculum that is place-based, integrated, and emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning.
• Be well-versed in developmental stages and theory, as well as academic learning benchmarks, in order to craft theme units that are both developmentally appropriate and standards relevant.
• Differentiate learning for students in a multi-age group setting, with attention to individual learning needs and abilities, while providing an opportunity for students to set and achieve learning goals.
• Incorporate the Responsive Classroom Approach from the Northeast Foundation for Children which includes Morning Meeting and Closing Circle as part of each school day.
• Keep the classroom organized and a ‘student centered’ space that allows for students and their learning to be the focal point of the classroom.
• Be a positive and supportive role model to all students and colleagues.
• Track student progress regularly in several dimensions, and report and showcase student progress for parents at the end of each trimester.
• Lead regular outdoor learning excursions in accordance with all Chewonki policies and protocols.
• Engage in proactive and regular communication and check-ins with colleagues and parents as needed.
• A willingness to work as a team member among the Elementary & Middle School  department and the greater Chewonki community.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Connect with families at the end of the school day to build relationships and reinforce highlights of the day.
• Write regular class updates to families.
• Report significant student issues to the Dean of Students, Head of Elementary and Middle School, and parents in a timely manner.
• Work with Head of Elementary and Middle School and within established budget guidelines to determine needs and to purchase classroom and curriculum materials. 
• Write classroom work plan for substitutes in your class.
• Participate in weekly all-staff and faculty meetings.
• Collaborate with Head of Elementary and Middle School and other staff in program evaluation.
• Coordinate shared resource use with relevant staff at Chewonki (with Head of Elementary and Middle School support).
• Contribute to and collaborate with the Chewonki community through committees and foundation wide events and participate in Chewonki Elementary and Middle School professional development days.

PREREQUISITES:

• Bachelor degree
• At least five years of K-8 classroom teaching experience, across multiple subjects
• Experience teaching literacy, science, and social studies classes in grades 7/8
• Experience implementing place-based or experiential education 
• Excellent communication skills (interpersonal and writing)
• Experience designing and balancing a solid social-emotional curriculum with a rigorous academic curriculum
• Understanding of positive discipline, ability to facilitate a group of students in any setting
• A willingness and ability to be physically active with students in a variety of activities; field sports, backcountry overnight expeditions, cross-country skiing, ice skating, running club, etc.
• Minimum of First Aid and CPR certification (Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification will be required within 6 months of hire)
• Driver’s license approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier
• Criminal background check and fingerprinting through Maine Department of Education
• The Chewonki Foundation requires that 100% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, as allowed for by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination will be required upon acceptance of a job offer.

REQUISITES: 

• Attend Chewonki driver’s training prior to driving participants (classroom and behind-the-wheel)
• Participate in professional development for Responsive Classroom Approach, positive discipline, and place-based education
• Attend annual Chewonki health center training and orientation
• Attend required onboarding and training sessions