Lower School Teacher

Department:   Lower School

Supervisor:     Lower School Principal

Status:          Full-Time

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Ursuline Academy is seeking a Lower School Teacher for the start of the 2026-27 School Year. The ideal candidate will embrace diverse learning approaches that reach a range of learners; will foster a student-centered classroom environment; and will work collaboratively with colleagues in other curricular areas, specifically, specialty classes. This position involves working with one primary cohort of students and parents in a Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade students.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Academic Environment

• Creates and executes lesson plans specific to respective grade level. Must be able to craft lessons in Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Religion.
• Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated by the teacher schedule distributed by the Principal.
• Inspires students through enthusiasm for course content and student growth.
• Prepares for assigned classes by creating robust lesson plans that align with the course curriculum designated by the Lower School Principal.
• Engages families in understanding and enjoying the learning of the classroom.  Family engagement will consist of weekly/daily, consistent two-way communication.  Must be skilled in navigating challenging yet constructive conversations with parents.
• Develops and maintains a safe and inviting classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Aligns instruction to any supplied materials, standards-based unit plan/scope and sequence.  However, instruction is not limited to prewritten materials.  
• Demonstrates proficiency through careful lesson planning and content expertise.
• Utilizes a variety of assessment tools to evaluate student learning, including formative and summative assessment.
• Achieves a balance between instructional and assessment time that prioritizes authentic learning.
• Continually assesses curriculum and teaching to ensure inclusiveness for ability, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic sensitivity.
• Reviews assessment data at the departmental level to inform instructional strategies.  Uses data to make decisions for students requiring more advancement and/or remediation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of students’ strengths, challenges, and learning styles.
• Plans and executes weekly religious education lessons aligned with Catholic teaching.
• Writes midterm and end-of-term reports, specifically, progress reports and report cards.
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning (SEL) and the incorporating SEL into the daily classroom experiences.
• Knowledge in educational technology, and use of blended learning techniques where applicable.

School Community

• Attends Back to School Nights, Conferences, Open Houses, school-sponsored extracurricular events, pep rallies, assemblies, community meetings, special events, etc. and serves as chaperone, as required.
• Demonstrates support of students through attendance at social and extracurricular events across divisions.
• Serves as a positive ambassador for Ursuline Academy in the community
• Demonstrates a willingness to serve the school community with time and talents in activities outside of the classroom.
• Assists in upholding and supporting school rules.

Communication

• Maintains an updated course page and accurate, up-to-date student records.
• Posts major assignments/assessments on the Test Calendar at least 1 week prior to due date.
• Writes specific, individual, and constructive comments on report cards/progress reports
• Actively communicates with students and families within 24 hours when students’ performance is of concern.
• Completes and logs at least one 1 phone call or email per week to parents that details specific observation of a student’s exhibition of the Portrait of an Ursuline Graduate and/or academic performance.
• Responds to any parent communication within 1 business day and documents phone communication with follow-up email.
• Posts grades to online gradebook in a timely manner.

Professionalism

• Exhibits expertise in curricular area(s) by remaining up-to-date on research and trends, attending professional development opportunities, when needed.
• Models professional qualities of discretion, confidentiality, and respect through interpersonal relationships with colleagues, students, and families.
• Responds to observational feedback and incorporates strategies and skills from professional development into instruction.
• Performs duties as assigned including car line, cafeteria monitoring, library coverage, etc. as required by Principal.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Attends and actively participates in all meetings and in-service days.

Alignment with Mission, Core Values and Portrait of an Ursuline Educator

• Actively upholds the school policies and procedures detailed in the Employee Handbook and Faculty Handbook.
• Attends school liturgies, prayer services, retreats, and other mission-directed events or activities, as planned.
• Actively monitors and ensures student adherence to Student Handbook policies and procedures.
• Models desired behaviors for students both in and out of the classroom, including maintaining standards of classroom and school behaviors.
• Enthusiastically engages in professional development activities designed to support professional growth.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field; Master’s degree preferred; Certification strongly preferred.
• Completion of student teaching; 3-5 years of experience preferred. Experience teaching at the lower school level is preferred.
• Must be able to craft lesson plans in Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Religion.
• Demonstrated understanding of educational technology integration in the classroom.
• Demonstrated understanding of effective teaching strategies for different learning styles and aptitudes. 
• Ability to develop supplemental materials and/or projects/unit of study.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including presentation, listening and observational skills. 
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills including the ability to plan and manage projects. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, teachers, parents, volunteers and school administration from diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to navigate challenging situations with discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment. 
• Passion for bettering the lives of students. 
• Desire to seek out professional development activities related to the latest instructional strategies, student growth and best pedagogical practices. 
• Willingness to be an active, enthusiastic member of the Ursuline community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times regarding the Ursuline community.