Lower School 5th Grade Language Arts Teacher

JOB TITLE: Lower School 5^th Grade Language Arts Teacher

REPORTS TO: Director of Lower School

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: None

STATUS:  Salary, 40 hours/week, Teacher Contract

JOB SUMMARY: The Lower School 5^th Grade Language Arts Teacher has the responsibility of providing in-depth knowledge of English Language Arts and Writing and the best teaching practices for students with learning differences.  This position will play a critical role in partnering with the Academic Support Specialist and the Lower School Director.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES & ACTIVITIES (Including Physical Function)

• Commitment to Briarwood’s mission, purpose, and culture
• Strive to inspire a love of the field of study in students.
• Partner proactively with faculty and administration to support students with Dyslexia and LD and teachers in their efforts to advance students with learning differences.
• Experience and/or training in OG-related curricula (e.g., Wilson Language Systems, BLS, Fundations)
• Observe and evaluate individual students displaying academic or behavioral difficulties and assess their learning strengths and challenges.
• Enthusiastic collaboration with the Grade level team.
• Direct one-on-one or small-group instruction.
• Prepare lesson plans
• Document progress, assist goals for students
• Developing and issuing educational content including notes, tests, and assignments.
• Supervising classes to ensure all students are learning in a safe and productive environment.
• Organizing supplies and resources for lectures and presentations.
• Delivering personalized instruction to each student by encouraging interactive learning.
• Planning and implementing educational activities and events.
• Ensuring your classroom is clean and orderly.
• Preparing and distributing periodic progress reports and semester report cards.
• Attending parent-teacher meetings.
• Evaluating and documenting students’ progress.
• Experience and/or training in the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy
• Allocating and grading homework, assignments, and tests.
• Work with parents, faculty, and division heads when academic concerns arise regarding students.
• Implement a focus on technology use and adoption within the School.
• Represent the school at educational conferences and associations.
• Participate in any accreditation process for the school.
• Attend all staff meetings and staff retreats.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Lower School or the Interim Head of School.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred, Teacher Certificate, with a Specialty in Language Arts or Equivalent

Experience:

• Experience in independent schools, with a strong background in English Language Arts
• Exceptionally capable in both written and oral communication
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Experience with Keys to Literacy and The Writing Rope a plus
• Technologically savvy
• Proven success at working collaboratively
• Passionate about the chosen field of study

Physical Abilities: Maintain physical ability to complete all essential functions and activities of the position.

The Briarwood Philosophy

"Every student can learn, and every student has the right to be taught in the way he or she learns best."

The Briarwood Core Values

Community through Connection

Our school community is a diverse group of learners who treat each other with kindness and

respect.

We value the connections that our faculty and staff make with our students.

We value our partnerships with families.

We strive to ensure that our community offers opportunities for academic, social, and emotional

growth.

Transformation through Confidence

Our faculty create a structured and challenging academic environment. They hold themselves and their students accountable as they build confident, self-advocating learners who are prepared for an ever-challenging and complex world. We set high expectations for social behavior and academic success, which students attain through perseverance and a growth mindset.

Each candidate is expected to understand and support the Briarwood Teaching Philosophy and Core Values.

The Briarwood School offers a competitive health insurance program, retirement benefits, paid time off, and robust professional development opportunities.

The Briarwood School is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Briarwood prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.  

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Briarwood School makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.