Third Grade Teacher

THE POSITION
The Park School is seeking a third grade homeroom teacher for fall 2026. The homeroom teacher is responsible for all academic subject areas within an integrated curriculum based on a year-long theme study of three cultural groups who lived in the Chesapeake Bay region during the 17th century. The position also involves active collaboration with the two other classroom teachers and with special area teachers in coordinating programs. Reporting to parents and involving parents in their children’s education are additional key responsibilities. All Lower School teachers share in covering routine duties, attend weekly faculty meetings, and other meetings as needed.

There are three sections of third grade; each homeroom teacher is responsible for one section of 15-18 students. Special area teachers provide instruction in art, music, physical education, Spanish, library, science, and technology.

The Lower School at Park includes grades Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, with an enrollment of 275+ students and 40+ faculty. Lower School Learning Resource Teachers and a Lower School Counselor work with teachers at all grade levels.

Park’s Lower School is committed to progressive principles of education. Respect for children and confidence in their natural capacity to learn — and to enjoy learning — are key. The program at all grade levels centers on experiential learning within an integrated curriculum. Our approach emphasizes open-ended inquiry and problem-solving, collaborative projects, and exposure to a wide range of learning activities and materials, anchored by a focus on essential understandings and attention to basic skills.

In addition to taking full responsibility for students’ learning in core subject areas and their emotional growth, classroom teachers individually and collectively are the creators of the curriculum. They engage in ongoing development and review, both as grade-level teams and in cross-grade-level and division-wide initiatives. Faculty are also strongly involved in divisional and school-wide diversity initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS
Passion for teaching and commitment to the education of Lower School children are essential. The ability to work collaboratively within a grade level team and to communicate effectively with parents are also necessary. Additional qualifications include:

• Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods.
• Formal training in early childhood or elementary education (M.A., M.Ed., or M.A.T. preferred).
• Classroom experience at the Lower School level (3+ years); upper elementary experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated strength in teaching mathematics both for conceptual understanding and skills mastery; experience working with TERC Investigations math program is a plus.
• Demonstrated strength in teaching literacy skills through literature and process writing.
• Experience in teaching inquiry-based science a strong plus.
• Experience in teaching an integrated, theme-centered curriculum a strong plus.
• Experience in curriculum development a strong plus.
• Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply.