4th Grade Teacher

4th Grade Teacher

The Philadelphia School (TPS) is seeking a full-time 4th Grade Teacher. We are a Preschool - Grade 8 progressive, independent school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an enrollment of approximately 420 students. Since our founding in 1972, The Philadelphia School has grown in size, complexity, and diversity. This growth has been rooted firmly in the progressive values with which our founders began: immersive learning, responsive pedagogy, and meaningful engagement with the world.

The Philadelphia School seeks educators who possess a deep interest in progressive pedagogy, social justice, and place-based learning and who demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth. We hire experienced educators who have excellent classroom management and communication skills, as well as a flexible approach to teaming. All our teachers build respectful and supportive relationships with their students, develop strong home/school partnerships with parents and caregivers, participate in school wide initiatives, and work closely with their supervisor to develop their craft. Our teachers have strong interpersonal and communication skills. They are grounded in the practices of progressive education with a demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity and social justice as well as environmental education. All our teachers bring a rich range of interests and expertise to their work.

Position Summary:

Our Primary–Junior Unit program (i.e. grades 1 to 5) remains committed to thematic integration across disciplines. First- and second-grade students are taught in single-grade looped classrooms, with two lead teachers (co-teachers) supporting each classroom and students remaining with the same teaching team over a two-year span. Third, fourth, and fifth grades are organized as stand-alone classrooms, each staffed by two lead teachers (co-teachers). Across the grades, classroom teachers work collaboratively to align curriculum and instruction, engaging in regular shared planning. Classroom teachers inspire and support young learners during their foundational academic years, creating dynamic, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the co-teacher, other classroom teachers, the Learning Resources team, and specialists to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Partner with a co-teacher and grade team to develop an engaging thematic curriculum and interdisciplinary projects
• Participate in planning and executing weekly off-campus outdoor days in fall and spring
• Deliver progressive and intentional instruction around academic and social emotional learning
• Integrate technology to enhance instruction and student engagement
• Use a variety of formative and summative assessment tools to monitor and evaluate student progress
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to students to support their academic and personal growth
• Foster a classroom atmosphere that supports respect and inclusion
• Develop strong home/school partnerships and communicate with families clearly and frequently and with cultural competence
• Engage in a range of activities for school-sponsored and individually-sought professional development with curiosity and a commitment to continued growth, including a periodic process of growth-oriented feedback and evaluation
• Contribute actively to school-wide initiatives, including other duties as assigned, and the board life of the community

Faculty are encouraged to partner with the Auxiliary Programming team to deliver up to two weeks of summer camp instruction, as well as extra-curricular club facilitation throughout the academic year. Participation in auxiliary programming supports the educational mission and helps sustain resources that benefit the entire TPS community. We value the unique expertise our teachers bring to these programs, and additional compensation is generally provided in recognition of this additional commitment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in a related field of study preferred
• 2+ years lead teaching experience preferred
• Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
• Solid understanding of child development, including the social, emotional, and intellectual domains
• Ability and commitment to create a warm, nurturing, and supportive classroom for young children
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills at the team, student, and family levels
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as integral to the curriculum and community experience
• Demonstrated proficiency with integrating technology
• Familiarity with various teaching programs such as Responsive Classroom, Wilson Foundations, and Bridges in Mathematics
• Passion for instilling in children a lifelong love of learning

The pay range for this position is $57,000 - $78,000 depending on education and applicable experience.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates should visit our website and click on “Job Opportunities” under “Quick Links”. For full consideration, please provide a cover letter tailored specifically to your interest in and alignment with our school program - including the grade level(s) that you are most interested in teaching, resume, and contact information with three professional references.

The Philadelphia School welcomes and celebrates diversity in our student body and in our faculty and is committed to providing an education for all of our children that instills in them a respect, understanding and appreciation for the many races, cultures, religions, family structures, and ethnicities that make up our complex and diverse world.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Philadelphia School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws to ensure fair treatment of all applicants and employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources department at [email protected].