Website The Nueva School
Lower School (grades PreK-4) Social-emotional Learning Specialist
Full Time, Starting August 2024
The Position
Nueva is a student-centered school known for its distinctive integrated studies, constructivist/project-based learning, and its pioneering work in social emotional learning and design thinking. Our school community inspires a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind.
Nueva’s Social-Emotional Learning Program
As part of Nueva’s commitment to nurturing the whole child, our nationally recognized social-emotional learning (SEL) program is integral to the curriculum and community at every grade level. Students and adults work collaboratively to create a vibrant, safe learning environment where all community members are empowered. The SEL program seeks to develop compassion and resilience in children by supporting them to develop a range of intra and interpersonal skills.
Job Responsibilities
We seek an educator passionate about developing children’s social and emotional learning skills, including community building, cooperation, conflict resolution, positive communication, stress management, respect for others, appreciation for diversity, ability to see multiple perspectives, awareness of different learning styles, and emotional resilience. The teacher must be familiar with the developmental stages of childhood, bring expertise in social and emotional learning across the elementary grades, have knowledge of the particular needs of intellectually gifted children, and value restorative practices.
The full-time SEL teacher will plan curriculum, facilitate weekly classes, and teach creative lessons in grades 1-4. In addition to teaching weekly classes, the heart of the role is in responding to needs as they arise outside of the weekly SEL classes. To do this effectively and integrate with the community, this teacher will attend weekly faculty and student meetings, help supervise recess play, assist in planning parent education, and co-plan community meetings (our division-wide assemblies). Given that SEL is integrated into the school’s ethos, the SEL specialist also serves on the Lower School Leadership team.
In addition, the SEL teacher will communicate regularly with parents and teachers and attend grade-level specific meetings, events, field trips, and overnight experiences. Other expectations include coaching classroom teachers in curriculum and strategies to promote the school’s commitment to social and emotional acuity while creatively integrating skills for greater social and emotional awareness across the school.
We are seeking applicants who represent the full diversity of our community in the Bay Area. Our ideal candidate will possess a deep appreciation for the diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, academic, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. In joining our team at Nueva, you will become a part of an inclusive, iterative and equity-minded community that recognizes that equity and social justice is a lens with which we examine all aspects of our school community in order to ensure an educational experience where all students and colleagues can thrive. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Job Qualifications
§ Teach expertly the course of study with the highest standards for each student
§ Convey enthusiasm for content and inquiry
§ Design instruction that emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving
§ Collaborate with colleagues to enrich curriculum and instruction
§ Integrate appropriate technology to enhance learning
§ Create hands-on, project-based learning experiences
§ Collaborate effectively with students, teachers, and parents
§ Model flexibility in implementing best learning practices
§ Support the well-being of all students
§ Lead by example in your commitment to Nueva’s mission to serve the needs of gifted students
§ Demonstrate an understanding of child development with an emphasis on giftedness
§ Design and lead parent and teacher educational workshops
Position Qualifications
§ Bachelor’s and advanced university degree, with a minimum of three years teaching experience
§ Successful experience with elementary-aged children
§ Demonstrated mastery in area of study and ability to teach within and across academic disciplines
§ Excellent communication skills
§ A desire to integrate curriculum with other subjects and to teach collaboratively
● A desire to integrate curriculum with other subjects and to teach collaboratively
Compensation
The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $75,000 – $138,200. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.
We offer a full benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contribution toward dependent insurance premium, a generous match on our retirement plan, flexible spending account, and free lunch. Eligibility rules must be met.
To Apply
Please send your application information (cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references) to the Nueva Employment Website. To address specific questions, please email Megan Terra, at mterra@nuevaschool.org or Elizabeth Hoang, at ehoang@nuevaschool.org
The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field.
About The Nueva School
The Nueva School, an internationally-recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, serving six different counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.
A constructivist school, Nueva is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prizewinning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book,That Used to Be Us, in the chapter Average Is Over.
For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website:www.nuevaschool.org
