Website Khan Lab School
POSITION: Long-term Substitute: Humanities Specialist and Advisor (Grade 5)
REPORTS TO: Lower School Director
LOCATION: Palo Alto Campus
HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT: 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m. and school events as required. This position could flex to part-time with the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., if needed.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
A Humanities Specialist and Advisor at Khan Lab School requires an experienced teacher who is also adept at inhabiting the role of a learner, demonstrating skills of observation and inquiry, and who loves to teach and guide children as they learn and play. The teacher in this position is expected to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of their teaching duties. This position reports to the Lower School Director and includes partnering with a teaching team and wider school community in support of the school’s mission and vision. This role also requires a teacher who has experience teaching in a mastery-based environment and/or who is curious and open to implementing mastery-based instruction and assessment and who is comfortable serving in the role of advisor and guiding students in their social and emotional development, through regular direct instruction and integrated practices.
PRIMARY AREAS OF FOCUS WILL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Teach Humanities 5 to elementary-aged (Grade 5) students. Humanities courses incorporate English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies curricula. Lead weekly Advisory sessions and support Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with Grade 5 students. Provide occasional coverage for teachers who may be absent and support outdoor recess, arrival, and dismissal duties, on an as needed basis.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Design and implement differentiated and developmentally appropriate instructional activities.
● Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and learning needs.
● Use assessment data effectively to inform and guide learning and to provide ongoing feedback to students and complete progress reports.
● Appropriately and effectively coach and advise students, supporting them with social emotional and executive function skills.
● Set clear expectations and oversee student behavior, as well as manage classroom procedures, resources, materials, and non-instructional duties (e.g., recess duty, assemblies).
● Build a positive, safe, inclusive, and fun classroom community.
● Incorporate DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) best practices into teaching and community interactions.
● Communicate and collaborate effectively with students, families, teachers, and other professionals on a regular basis about student progress.
● Maintain effective and efficient documentation of student progress, communication with families, and other documentation, as needed.
● Model professional and ethical standards when working with students, parents, peers, and community.
● Invest in the life of the school by participating in professional development, team meetings, school events, and any and all aspects that support student growth.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
● Bachelor’s degree; ideal candidates will have an academic background in elementary education.
● Prior elementary teaching experience.
● Understanding and support of Khan Lab School’s core values, mission, and vision.
● A passion for working with elementary students and a keen understanding of where they are developmentally.
● Expertise in teaching Humanities curricula from an introductory level to advanced concepts.
● Knowledge and experience using Khan Academy for instruction, when applicable.
● Commitment to inquiry-based, project-based learning, and other progressive pedagogies
● Prior experience analyzing student data and using a variety of assessment techniques.
● Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents.
● Flexibility to shift and take on a variety of tasks, as the lab school continues to grow and change.
● Ability to reflect on effectiveness of own practice, respond well to feedback, and adjust instruction accordingly.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
● Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push and pull up to 25 pounds as some regular organizational tasks involve moving desks, chairs, electronics, paperwork and other school supplies and equipment as needed.
● Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
● Capability of occasionally moving about inside an office setting to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
● Ability to proficiently and frequently operate a computer and keyboard as well as other office equipment such as calculators, copy machines, printers, and projectors.
● Consistently practice safe working habits while using school supplies, equipment, and electronics as well as the ability to maintain a safe and hazard-free workstation for yourself and others at the school.
● Occasionally required to work weekends, nights, or be on-call for special events, which are sometimes held outside and require the ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions at any time of the year.
● Ability to properly communicate information and ideas so other people can understand as well as the ability to ascertain and understand information communicated from others.
COMPENSATION:
Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and level of education.
Faculty level: 64K-106K (pro-rated if part-time)
To apply for this job email your details to jessica@khanlabschool.org
