LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER | JK-5 | full-time - The Wilberforce School

We are seeking industrious and collegial Christian educators, who exhibit both a growth mindset and a commitment to seeing their students holistically. Teachers who are experienced with intensive phonics instruction and Charlotte Mason pedagogy will feel at home in our Lower School. Whatever their experience, we look for flexible and positive teachers who are both learners and doers.

The Wilberforce School exists to provide a distinctively Christian education characterized by academic excellence and joyful discovery within a classical framework. At The Wilberforce School, our understanding of God as Creator and of His saving purposes in Jesus Christ undergirds all of our teaching and conduct. In providing a truly Christian education in NJ, we seek to nurture students who have a genuine love of learning, who are equipped to live as vibrant Christians, and who can articulate and defend the Christian message with clarity, creativity, and conviction.

Ministry Purpose:
In accordance with Ephesians 4:11-12 and Titus 2:7-8, the teacher is responsible for training the next generation of Christian leaders and equipping them for a life of service to their Savior, homes, churches, vocations, and communities.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Titus 2:7-8
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Responsibilities:

Spiritual Leadership:

• Integrate Biblical principles and a Christian worldview into all curricula and teaching.
• Be prepared to communicate the school’s religious beliefs to students and others who inquire.
• Follow Matthew 18 principles in addressing issues with students, parents, staff, and administration.

With Students:

• Models for students genuine love for God, love of scripture, and love of learning
• Prays (privately) for each student in the class; prays with the class daily
• Plans teaching schedule on a daily, weekly, trimester/semester, and yearly basis, with the help of Administration
• Works through the curriculum at an appropriate pace, with ongoing assessment of how each child is progressing through the material
• Uses formal and informal assessment tools to measure students' progress
• Individualizes instruction according to each child's needs while moving everyone toward class-wide high standards of achievement
• Identifies and addresses academic or disciplinary problems; documents situations and/or alerts the Head of School or parents when appropriate
• Respects the confidentiality of students, families, and colleagues by using the highest degree of discretion in all communication
• Completes administrative tasks to maintain smooth operation of classroom

With Parents:

• Views parents as students' primary teachers
• Views parent-teacher communication as highly important and valuable; expresses to parents a commitment to teach and nurture their child
• Communicates with parents when issues arise with their child, whether in academics, discipline, or other matters
• Makes parents aware of what is being taught at school through work sent home and other means

With Other Teachers:

• Contributes to a cooperative and collegial atmosphere among teachers and staff
• Participates in teacher mentoring relationships and is committed to personal/professional growth
• Participates in training, devotionals, and other meeting and initiatives
• Performs both teaching and non-teaching tasks with attention to quality, detail, timeliness, and professionalism
• Brings discipline or academic problems to the attention of the Division Head (and Head of School when appropriate) early on, keeping them abreast of general progress and specific problems that arise

Keyword: teacher, elementary, classical, Christian, school
Required Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree preferred and reflected in compensation
• State or specialty certification

Experience:

• Two years of teaching experience are strongly preferred, with exceptions granted for outstanding candidates with demonstrated teaching gifts and call
• Ability to teach well as demonstrated by references and student achievement
• Mastery of subject matters to be taught, as demonstrated by references, education, and student achievement

Personal Qualities:

• Be committed to furthering our school’s Christian mission and philosophy of faith-based education
• Agree to uphold our school’s Statement of Faith
• Be willing to submit to and honor the standards outlined in the Employee Handbook and/or Code of Conduct
• Credible profession of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ
• Godly character (pastoral and other character references may be required)
• Regular in-person attendee in good standing (i.e., not under church discipline) at a local Christian church (and a member, if membership is offered). The church’s beliefs are consistent with the Nicene Creed.
• Gift of teaching
• Views teaching as a high calling
• Self-educator and lifetime learner
• Well-spoken with excellent grammar, diction, and vocabulary
• Understanding of and agreement with the missions, philosophy and pedagogy of The Wilberforce School, including classical framework and Charlotte Mason influence
• Teachable and committed to grow, learn, and develop new understanding and skills
• Understanding of and ability to articulate biblical worldview
• Ability to integrate biblical worldview into all subject matters to be studied
• Maturity and emotional stability
• Heart for the age of students being taught
• Strong desire to see students learn well, to know God, and to love God

From: The Wilberforce School