Teaching Assistant- First Grade

Westtown School is seeking a full-time Assistant Teacher for 1st Grade for the 2023-24 school year. The Assistant Teacher will serve as part of a dynamic teaching team consisting of two lead teachers and one assistant teacher between the two classrooms. The Assistant Teacher will support the social-emotional and academic growth and development of students, work directly with students and collaborate with teachers to deliver a well-integrated foundational program for our youngest learners. Ideal candidates will clearly demonstrate a passion and joy for working with early childhood students, a collaborative spirit, and the ability to work effectively in a shared classroom environment.

As Westtown strives to fulfill our commitment to becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) school, we are seeking culturally competent educators with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion who are eager to engage in ongoing professional development in these areas. This will be evidenced in their approach to curriculum and pedagogy, their ability to foster and develop inclusive communities, and through their personal and professional interactions with diverse groups of students, families, faculty, and staff.

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  Helps create a warm and welcoming learning environment;
• Supports students’ social-emotional and identity development;
• Contributes to building and sustaining an inclusive community and a program that reflects diverse cultures and perspectives;
• Facilitates student learning by supporting lead teachers in the implementation of curriculum;
• Independently teaches small groups of students or works with students one-on-one;
• May periodically lead classroom instruction in the absence of a lead teacher;
• Assists in student assessment, record-keeping, and may attend some parent conferences with lead teachers;
• Helps prepare materials and classroom environment;
• Engages in and supervises grade-level and divisional community responsibilities as assigned (e.g. arrival/dismissal, snack/lunch, recess);
• Chaperones during field trips and school outings;
• Attends faculty meetings and contributes to faculty committees;
• Enthusiastically seeks out and participates in both school-sponsored and self-selected professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader and community member;

• Communicates effectively with all constituents – students, colleagues, administrators, and parents/guardians.

Qualifications

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  Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or elementary education preferred, or a bachelor’s degree with some educational/student-centered coursework;
• Experience working with young children in a group setting;
• Demonstrated passion and joy for working with early childhood students;
• Some knowledge of child development and a commitment to social-emotional learning, differentiated instruction, and inquiry- and project-based teaching;
• Strong speaking, writing, and listening skills;
• Strong collaboration skills with a team-oriented spirit, and the ability to connect meaningfully with students throughout our diverse community;
• Familiarity with Google products and ability to integrate technology into best teaching practices;
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive Quaker pedagogy based on cultural competence, commitment to social justice, and respect for all voices;
• Strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an appreciation for Quaker values and how these inform community processes and interactions.

Westtown School is an independent, Quaker co-educational, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia. Situated on a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers a program where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world.

Interested, qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and educational philosophy, including an outline of your professional development in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to the desired job posting on westtown.edu/careers.