DESCRIPTION
The Montclair Cooperative School seeks a full time Fourth Grade Teacher to join our faculty beginning September 2017 in the capacity of a maternity leave position from September 2017 through February 2018. There is a possibility of creating an additional role at the school after February, provided the candidate has the right skill set. The Fourth Grade Teacher teaches multiple subjects in a school with a progressive educational program that balances academics with social/emotional curriculum, an interdisciplinary approach, and active, hands-on learning. The two semester-long integrated themes of our fourth grade curriculum are New Jersey Environment/Ecology and Colonial New Jersey. The Teacher is responsible for Social Studies, Language Arts, Mathematics and Science. The Teacher is a facilitator for building classroom community while nurturing each child’s social-emotional development. Other responsibilities include organizing field trips, and occasional overnight trips that complement the curriculum; supervising an assistant teacher; and collaborating with specialist and academic support teachers. Teachers in each division at the Co-op regularly meet to plan and work together, discuss students, and hone curriculum.

We seek a talented teacher who can inspire students, be inspired by our mission, and create a nurturing classroom with high educational expectations. Cultural competence, the ability to work collaboratively, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to work closely with families are essential. The teacher should practice student-centered pedagogy and be able to differentiate instruction. A Master’s degree in education and at least three years of successful experience as a head teacher are preferred. Successful Co-op teachers are lifelong learners who are reflective about their practice.

Montclair Cooperative School is a community of learners (nursery through 8th grade) where children are invited to take risks, question, explore, discuss, interpret, and create. We discover ways to apply learning effectively in solving problems and constructing new knowledge. We value diversity and understand that the world is composed of different people, cultures, and ideas. We are cooperative in that everyone – teachers, students, and parents – participates in the educational process. We are progressive in that children learn by building on multi-disciplinary themes and experiences.

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should send a current resume and a cover letter that introduces themselves, describes qualifications, and explains their teaching philosophy to Namita Tolia, Head of School, at fourthgradeteachersearch@montclaircoop.org. No phone calls, please. Please indicate how you learned of the opportunity in your cover letter. Only candidates selected to be interviewed will be contacted.