Lower School Assistant Teacher

Job Title: Lower School Assistant Teacher, Ten month, Full-time, Salaried
Department: Lower School
Reports to: Lower School Head

Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands-on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.

Job Summary
The full-time Lower School Assistant Teacher will demonstrate an understanding of progressive educational practice and support the academic, social, and emotional development of the whole child. They will contribute to the positive and professional climate of Friends Community School. The Lower School Assistant Teacher will participate actively in the community and establish working relationships that demonstrate integrity, confidentiality, respect, flexibility, equity, and trust. They should be familiar with and promote Quaker processes and values as well as work collaboratively with colleagues to build a strong professional learning community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist teachers in classrooms with 16-18 students in a multi-disciplinary program of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science
Serve as a substitute teacher when needed
Embrace and promote equity and inclusion, social justice, environmental stewardship, and peaceful conflict resolution in line with the school’s values
Seek appropriate professional development opportunities
Attend faculty meetings and Meeting for Worship
Provide supervision for Lower School recess, lunch, and carline
Other duties as assigned by the Lower School Head

Qualification Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
0-3 years of classroom experience
Understanding of child development and/or Progressive Education
Experience working with diverse adult and student populations and possess a commitment to equity and inclusion
Effective communication skills in writing and in person

Commitment to Diversity
FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.

Please send a cover letter, résumé, educational philosophy, and the names and contact information of three professional references to jobs@friendscommunityschool.org.

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