Head start teacher Jobs in Washington, DC

Early Childhood Lead Teacher, SY2024-25

Immediate start

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is accepting applications for an early childhood lead teacher for the 2024-25 school year. The school is seeking self-motivated, dynamic, and thoughtful individuals with proven progressive, inquiry-based teaching skills to join the faculty. The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School serves PreK3 - 8th grade and seeks highly qualified teachers of all subjects for PreK3 - 8th grade.

At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide.

THE ROLE OF AN INSPIRED TEACHER

Inspired Teachers possess the beliefs, skills, and accomplishments that lead all students to achieve at high levels. To establish a true professional learning community, all adults in the building are considered educators, as they all interact regularly with students. As such, a firm belief and grounding in the philosophy and values of the school's mission is crucial for every employee. It is of the utmost importance that every member of the school's staff believes that all children can learn and contribute to the vitality of their learning community. This combined with a deep care for all students is the foundation for our work. Master teachers take on the additional responsibility of promoting the school's mission by hosting and supporting resident teachers, as described in detail below.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School highly values and respects teaching as a profession and teachers as professionals. The school culture places a premium on teacher autonomy and expertise and in turn, expects professionalism and a high level of responsibility from the teaching staff. The school works hard to ensure teachers have a positive and productive work culture, including collegiality among staff, appropriate supports for teaching (including adequate supplies for every classroom), and a respect for teachers as individuals and professionals.

Early Childhood Teachers (PreK-3 - Kindergarten)

Early Childhood Teachers facilitate a play-based learning environment. In PreK classrooms students develop a love of learning along with the foundational social and academic skills they need for success in a school environment. Kindergarteners continue to thrive in a play-based environment while being introduced to standards for literacy and math. All early childhood classrooms are text, numeracy, and sensory rich environments in which art and physical movement are integrated to ensure a developmentally appropriate school experience. Families are engaged as partners, and early childhood teachers engage in family communication and education events to establish consistency for students between the home and school environments while helping families to understand young children's developmental needs and the school's progressive approach.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

All Lead, Master and Specials Teachers take on the following job responsibilities :

Planning and Preparation

• Plan and document (using the school's selected lesson planning tool) high-quality instruction in line with :
• The school's mission and philosophy;
• The five core elements of teaching : joy; wide-ranging evidence of learning; purpose, persistence and action; student as expert; and mutual respect;
• Intentional, well-designed curricula approved by the school, whether purchased or teacher-designed;
• Nationally-normed standards (Common Core, NGSS, C3 Framework, etc);
• Work to actively understand students' needs and strengths, including actively striving to develop cultural competence, engaging in ongoing study of child development theory and brain research, and keeping current with student IEP's, 504's, and BIPs.
• Seek out and access high-quality resources and materials, including resources beyond the school campus.
• Demonstrate solid knowledge of the concepts in each of the disciplines taught.

Classroom Environment

Instruction

Professional Responsibilities

After one year of teaching at ITDS, Lead Teachers who have previous years of teaching experience may qualify to become Master Teachers, based on the following criteria :

Master Teachers hosting Teaching Residents (TR) are also responsible for the following additional responsibilities :

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will demonstrate significant knowledge and experience in the field of progressive, constructivist education and the potential to serve as a coach to a novice teacher.

Master / Lead Teachers must :

We require teachers to meet the requirements for Highly Qualified Teacher status in the District of Columbia. Requirements include :

SALARY AND BENEFITS

ITDS offers a comprehensive compensation package that is based on the following values :

The school's benefits package includes health care (multiple plan options), retirement plan (employer match available), Flexible Spending accounts, generous PTO, supplemental insurance through AFLAC, and pre-tax public transportation / Metro benefit. ITDS also offers extra-curricular and committee stipends, professional autonomy, multiple pathways for professional growth and support, and opportunities for whole educator care and wellness.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are made solely on the basis of the individual's qualifications as related to the requirements of the position being filled. The school's Title IX Coordinator is Jessica Hiltabidel ([email protected])

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported, and students are educated nationwide. At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, students learn through an academically challenging, standards-based curriculum that supports and builds the four "I"s : Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. Within its walls young people learn and achieve at high levels without having to surrender their intellectual curiosity and passion for learning.

The school focuses on developing student potential in four areas : Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. Students master content in Reading & Literature, Communication, Math, Science, and Social Studies-and have the ability to apply their knowledge to relevant and current situations, problems, and experiences; students develop the skills of a researcher, using their intellectual curiosity to pose and solve problems; students exhibit the skills of divergent thinkers, with the courage to create, the willingness to approach problems with a joyful spirit, and the ability to play; and students develop the skills and dispositions necessary to function as members of a democratic society.

Teachers are held to a high standard of excellence and professionalism. Teachers demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the subjects they teach; draw on an extensive repertoire of authentic and engaging strategies for instruction and assessment, steeped in the knowledge of how children and adolescents learn; contribute to a vibrant and active professional learning community; and forge strong and positive relationships not only with students, but also with community stakeholders, including families.

As a demonstration school, staff works to disseminate our instructional approach through inviting education influencers to visit the school, and disseminating the model outward via preparation of Teaching Residents, conference presentations, and other opportunities to speak in the community.

The school is a place where children, adolescents and adults thrive and find joy in their work.

Primary methods of instruction include inquiry and active learning, where the teacher serves as facilitator and coach to support student learning. Instruction includes an emphasis on social-emotional learning, and classrooms are characterized by student-centered organization styles such as differentiated instruction, collaborative groups, and child-initiated play.