8th Grade Spanish Teacher and Advisor

Prospect Sierra is an independent, coed TK–8 school located on two campuses in El Cerrito, California, serving 465 students. Prospect Sierra gives students the tools to build a better world by integrating rigorous academics with a deep understanding of human emotions. Every day our exceptional teachers connect students’ academic experiences to ethics, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. The result is deeper intellectual engagement, greater self-knowledge, and compassionate relationships. Prospect Sierra students develop the courage to become more than great students, but great people. 

Overview of Position

This position is for an 8th Grade Spanish Teacher and 8th Grade Advisor, beginning August 2023. This teacher will report to the Middle School Division Head and will work in close collaboration with Team 8 and the Spanish Department. This is a full-time teaching position that will require someone to teach in person.

Responsibilities

• Teach 8th grade Spanish to approximately 72 students in approximate groups of 18.
• Attend collaboration and planning meetings with Spanish Department and take on leadership roles on occasion.
• Collaborate with learning specialists in working with students with learning needs.
• Complete report card for 8th graders including both grades and narrative comments.
• Conduct ongoing effective communication with a diverse group of parents. 
• Lead 8th grade advisory – oversee the overall well-being of a group of students, lead daily morning meetings, and communicate with families.
• Plan and lead parent-teacher conferences twice a year for advisees.
• Serve on the 8th grade team and work collaboratively with faculty team members and take on leadership roles on occasion.
• Supervise advisees during afternoon study halls.
• Attend and support the week-long overnight student study trip. 
• Teach a weekly elective.
• Support the division and team with carrying out recess duties and other small tasks.

Required Qualifications

• Appreciation for and desire to work with middle school students
• Ability to deliver a dynamic curriculum that can differentiate for a range of learners through lessons, projects, games, and various activities 
• Understanding of differentiated learning techniques
• Knowledge of educational technology to support teaching and learning
• Commitment to early adolescent education and social/emotional development
• A passionate commitment to creating an innovative, joyful environment for students
• Knowledge of teaching Spanish language and cultures where Spanish is one of the languages used.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both written and verbal, with prospective and current parents and colleagues
• Ability to take initiative, work passionately and joyfully, take on leadership roles as needed, and collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies
• Knowledge of the essential role social-emotional literacy plays in the workplace and interest in the application of SEL within the educational setting 
• A nuanced understanding of DEI/social justice knowledge from a personal or programmatic perspective
• Knowledge of identity-safe and anti-bias educational practices and the ability to create an inclusive classroom community that allows for a multitude of perspectives to be heard and respected
• Ability to use and learn how to use various tech platforms such as Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Forms), Slack, Parentsquare, Classkick, etc. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong Organizational skills 
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable 

In addition to the required qualifications, desirable additional skills include:

• Bachelor of arts or science degree and/or professional coursework or certification, indicating training applicable to the responsibilities of the position
• Knowledge of Comprehensible Input strategies and TPRS 

Schoolwide Duties 

Ancillary duties include responsibilities that are part of middle school life, e.g., team and staff meetings, attendance at school functions, recess duties, etc.

Salary

The salary is competitive. Benefits included. Our 2023-24 salary schedule can be found here.

How to Apply

Email a resume, a one-page cover letter, and a list of three references with contact information to:

Nathan Tanaka, Middle School Division Head
Email: avisjobs@prospectsierra.org (include “8th Grade Spanish Teacher” in the subject line)

Prospect Sierra School is an equal opportunity employer. Our community is diverse in many ways, inclusive of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender spectrum, age, ability, and more. We welcome and value the same in our faculty and staff.