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Posted: 11-Dec-24
Location: PIKESVILLE, Maryland
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
THE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING POSITION: GRADE 5
FALL 2025
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world. ~The Park School Mission
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, gender inclusive day school of 827 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
The Position
The Park School seeks a full-time fifth grade homeroom teacher for fall 2025. The position involves responsibility for all academic subject areas within an integrated curriculum based on a year-long theme study of medieval cultures. The position also involves active collaboration with the two other homeroom 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, and attend weekly faculty meetings and other meetings as needed.
There are three sections of fifth 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. Ability to work collaboratively within a grade-level team and to communicate effectively with families are also key qualifications. In addition:
- 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
Salary
Park's job requirements differ, with some positions requiring no experience, while others require years of expertise. Our salary range is from $51,500 to $82,500 and is based on factors such as years of experience, qualifications, full-or part-time status, and schedule. If selected for the role, your salary will be determined by your experience and qualifications. Salaries do not include benefits that are described below.
Benefits
Park’s benefits include a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contributions, and medical, dental, and vision insurance for individuals and families. Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts are also available. Employees receive disability and parental leave, along with paid time off. Other resources include an Employee Assistance Program, a Computer Buying Program, and various wellness initiatives.
Additionally, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
Faculty & Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: A $5.6 million endowed program, established in 1989, supports summer professional development work by faculty. This program provides full salary and benefits for work on group or individual projects. Approximately 40% of
Park faculty participate in FACA projects each summer. Projects are selected through a formal, competitive review process.
Tuition Remission: Under current policy, employees who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. (Faculty children must meet the same standards for admission as all other applicants.) During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for financial assistance through Park’s need-based tuition assistance program.
Application Process
Interested candidates are asked to send a letter of interest, personal statement, résumé,
and completed employment application (found here) via email or US mail. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.
Contact
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School of Baltimore
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for
employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.