Lower School World Languages (Spanish) Teacher-Researcher

Our Reggio-inspired, social-constructivist curriculum is inquiry-based and driven in part by children’s interests. We emphasize collaboration and recognize the gifts that each child brings to the group. Our approach is one that recognizes the whole child and focuses first and foremost on social and emotional learning and relationships as the necessary foundations for education.

Sabot is an educational home for teachers drawn to relationships and practices that are rooted in unifying beliefs about children and learning, based on current neurological and educational research and reliant on our teacher-researchers’ collaborative problem solving and creativity. Sabot teachers are both guides and fellow travelers in the collaborative learning process and in making students’ learning visible to themselves and others. We view teaching not as a static set of skills, but as a dynamic process, manifested in our culture of research and our commitment to teacher development.

This position is responsible for building the academic foundations in Spanish at the earliest levels, developing lesson plans, independent learning exercises, material, curricula and methods that keep in mind the needs of the individual child and whole-group dynamic. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in education, preferably in a Reggio-inspired or progressive independent school setting, with an ability to successfully work with the students and faculty to ensure a safe, supportive learning environment that reflects the mission, values and policies of Sabot School. This faculty member will join a cohesive, committed, and talented community. 

Additionally, the Lower School World Languages Teacher (Spanish) must possess an enthusiastic commitment to the importance of building and sustaining a diverse, just, inclusive, and equitable environment.

General Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Kindergarten to Grade 3, the Lower School Spanish Teacher will serve Kindergarten to Grade 2. The Lower School Spanish Teacher will be responsible for the instructional program, general operations and management of the Spanish Program in Kindergarten to Grade 2, in addition to their assigned classes. 

The Lower School Spanish Teacher will develop children’s language skills through exposure to Spanish as receptive auditory learners. Instruction will include, but will not be limited to, developing understanding of Spanish spoken words related to weather, animals, clothes, basic foods, basic greetings and farewells, and small talk. 

The Lower School Spanish Teacher will work in collaboration with the Grades 3-8 Spanish Teacher to plan and implement a consistent and cohesive World Language program at Sabot School. The Lower School Spanish Teacher will also work to understand current learning in classrooms to make cross-curricular connections during Spanish instruction. 

The Lower School Spanish Teacher will create a learning environment of safety, kindness, trust and risk-taking to build students’ confidence in the Spanish language. Instructional strategies will include songs, read aloud, stories, movement, with active student participation and practice of skills. Sabot World Language Teachers partner with families and community members to expand students’ knowledge and awareness of a variety of Spanish speaking cultures, building student collaboration through regular, authentic and immersive opportunities to work together, practice listening and speaking Spanish together.

Essential Duties:

• Builds trusting, respectful, and professional relationships with children and families; 
• Facilitates and sustains a system that brings an introduction and exploration of the Spanish language to all the classrooms;
• Independently leads weekly Spanish classes for grades kindergarten to Grade 2;
• Regularly collaborates with the Grades 3-8 Spanish Teacher to ensure a comprehensive language program that builds students skills over the years as they work towards mastery of the Spanish language;
• Works closely with Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade Teacher-Researchers to engage in reflection and planning to create cross-curricular connections;
• Supports staff to become more connected to their own language abilities and assist them in finding ways to incorporate Spanish in the classroom throughout each day;
• Builds student collaboration with regular opportunities to work together in activities and games, make connections to a range of cultures and languages, and practice listening and speaking Spanish together;
• Develops provocations and questions to bring meaningful experiences with Spanish to all students and develop their Spanish language skills; 
• Uses Spanish to foster school wide community such as teaching and leading songs and at school wide and program circles; 
• Teaches classes as assigned, providing effective and professional classroom instruction, assessment and management; 
• Guides students’ processes of discovery and understanding, encouraging the development of meta-cognitive skills such as reflective thinking and problem solving techniques;
• Designs and implements curriculum and instruction consistent with the mission, values and standards established by the School, employing a variety of teaching styles and learning opportunities;
• Ensures the classroom, lessons and materials foster diversity, inclusion and belonging;
• Collaborates with colleagues on curriculum development and on enhancing instructional practices and strategies;
• Engages in action research by generating hypotheses and questions, documenting student work and reflecting individually and collaboratively;
• Establishes effective communications and relationships with students and parents;
• Exhibits a growth mindset about teaching practices and works toward professional goals and development;
• Helps to maintain School policies, protocols and expectations;
• Develops and maintains professional, collaborative and collegial relationships with faculty and staff, as well as with community partners to the benefit of students and classes;
• Supports the work of the Head of School and senior leadership;
• Participates in required non-classroom activities including parent/student conferences, retreats, faculty and pedagogical meetings, field trips and special activities and performance events;
• Participates in professional development opportunities;
• Participates in Admissions & Enrollment process which may involve some weekend or evening events;
• Provides effective supervision of students to promote a safe and healthy environment and School experience; 
• Supervises students outside of the classroom - for example, during lunch or transitions;
• Responds to and manages student concerns and issues, collaborating with the Program Director or School Counselor when necessary to develop and adhere to student support plans;
• Completes required reports and tasks timely and professionally;
• Performs related duties as assigned.

FLSA and Physical Requirements:

FLSA Status: Exempt

Full/Part-time Status: Part-time

Department: Faculty (10-month)

Benefit Policy: Part-time Exempt (20 hours per week)

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to:

• withstand prolonged periods standing and walking throughout the classroom.
• lift up to 20 pounds at a time (medium work).
• sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.
• occasionally ascend or descend stairs.
• constantly move about to accomplish tasks.
• occasionally repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• work occasionally in outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind, high temperatures and/or low temperatures.

Application Requirements

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in teaching or related field required. Master’s degree or higher preferred. Must possess a minimum of three years of teaching experience.

Special Requirements:

Must be able to complete a background check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Mastery of the Spanish language including receptive, spoken, and written fluency and comprehension
• A willingness to participate fully in a dynamic day school located in Richmond, Virginia;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Ability to remain responsible at all times for the supervision of students during classes and generally at all times when on campus or off campus for school-related events;
• Ability to learn new technology and systems commensurate with program level requirements;
• Ability to demonstrate creativity and flexibility in pedagogy;
• Demonstrate an understanding of child development;
• Demonstrate ability to act as a role model of professionalism;
• Ability to model honesty, accountability, understanding, tolerance, respect, love and kindness for the students;
• Ability to multitask, keep calm under pressure and treat everyone with respect;
• Ability to maintain a high level of activity while supervising children;
• Display curiosity, a positive attitude, flexibility and a good sense of humor;
• Ability to follow all policies and procedures of the School as written in the employee and parent handbooks;
• Demonstrate professionalism, engagement, and kindness to all children and families regardless of race, religion, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity or expression.

Specific to Teaching Spanish

• Able to teach critical thinking while advancing students’ bilingual verbal and written communications skills;
• Sensitive to the needs of a diverse range of students working toward language proficiency;
• Facilitating target language use through authentic text, interpersonal tasks and effective feedback;
• Dedicated to developing cross-culturally competent and empathetic global citizens who are empowered to communicate interpretively, interpersonally and presentationally;
• Design a curriculum that includes a diversity of perspectives, especially voices that are underrepresented in our society;
• Use of authentic resources from a wide range of people.

This position is a 10-month position, starting in August 2024

TO APPLY

Please click here to submit your application. In the “Position Applying for” field, please enter: LS World Languages Teacher (Spanish). Along with three professional references, the following attachments are required:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Statement of educational philosophy