Website The Seven Hills School The Seven Hills School
The Seven Hills School
Full-Time Equivalency: 1.0 (full-time)
Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) Classification: Exempt
Supervisor: Head of Lower School, Jennifer Arnest
Salary Range: 60,000-100,000 negotiable based on experience
The School
Founded in 1962, the Seven Hills School is a learning community whose mission is to develop the intellect, engage the spirit, and foster respect for, and responsibility to, our world. Our beautiful campus, located on nine acres of former ranch land near Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, CA (approximately 35 miles from downtown San Francisco), is home to our outstanding PS-8th grade program and offers over 420 students the daily opportunity to move freely from engaging classrooms to great expanses of natural outdoor space. We believe every student deserves a whole child education that harmonizes their academic growth and social and emotional development.
At Seven Hills, learning is joyful–from the Preschool sandbox to the 8th grade position paper, learning is fueled by curiosity, exploration, and the love and encouragement of trusted adults. Our small class sizes allow for greater differentiation, building strong partnerships with parents, and employing passionate teachers who love what they do and bring creativity to their daily practice of challenging, nurturing, and inspiring each child.
The Position
Seven Hills seeks an experienced lead teacher to join our vibrant Lower School faculty to teach on the First grade team. We have two sections of each grade K-5, with both a lead and support teacher in each classroom in K-3. Our Lower School’s unique approach to learning supports cross-curricular integration and the development of critical thinking. Kindergarten through 5th grade students develop skills and confidence in the exploration of math, science, reading, and writing as they strive to meet high academic standards. Every teacher is responsible for supporting individual learning styles and encouraging the success of every child. As a member of the First grade team, the lead teacher works collaboratively with colleagues to design and implement learning experiences. The position includes includes the following responsibilities and additional duties as needed:
Overview of Responsibilities:
- Create a community of learners in which students develop the skills of self-advocacy and resilience while demonstrating empathy and compassion for others.
- Plan, implement, and assess language arts, math, social studies, and science curricula.
- Collaborate regularly with colleagues (including math and science coordinators, librarian, music, Art, Spanish, and P.E specialists) when designing the overall program and special projects.
- Provide a hands-on, inquiry-based, workshop model of teaching, manage collaborative learning groups, and comfortably integrate technology into the curriculum.
- Provide ongoing communication with families, regularly reporting on student progress.
- Attend regular staff meetings, participate in grade level team meetings, and take part in ongoing professional development.
- Work with the Support Services team and Division Directors in service to the student and family as necessary
Successful Candidates will:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree, Teaching credential and/or other educational credentials
- Demonstrate experience and knowledge of developmental stages of elementary school children, with a deep respect for their capabilities
- Be committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Have a demonstrated ability to help provide a differentiated program
- Have excellent and empathic communications skills, often translating concerns for families and teaching staff
- Have experience with inquiry-based teaching strategies and real-world applications
- Have a demonstrated ability to help establish a classroom culture that is built on strong teacher-student relationships and allows for risk-taking
- Have a comfort level with the use of technology for teaching and learning
- Have a demonstrated ability to initiate, fully participate in and foster strong collegial relationships
- Be self-aware and able to build on others’ ideas, capitalize on others’ strengths and effectively share
- Have a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and improvement
- Have a growth mindset, active sense of humor, warm personality, and excellent organizational and communication skills
Our Professional Culture
At Seven Hills, our creed–be respectful, caring, positive, responsible, honest, mindful, and grateful–provides the foundation for the learning environment we strive to create. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging, developing cultural competence and global understanding, and practicing effective stewardship of our resources. Every faculty and staff member is expected to act in accordance with the school’s mission and creed, and to meet a set of fundamental professional expectations, which include:
- Fostering a safe, predictable, and supportive environment for students
- Engaging in duties and responsibilities with a positive attitude
- Demonstrating integrity and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Interacting with colleagues in a respectful and collegial manner that fosters a healthy professional culture
- Upholding professional standards of personal presentation, courtesy, and discretion
- Demonstrating appropriate planning and preparation; being punctual, reliable, and prompt
- Honoring the confidentiality of school, student, and family information
- Being thoughtful, timely, and professional when communicating
- Authentically engaging in self-reflection and learning opportunities to grow professionally
- Being self aware and building on others’ ideas and effectively sharing responsibility
Teaching at Seven Hills
Seven Hills teachers are compassionate and experienced lifelong learners; they are well-versed on current research and educational trends that positively affect student learning. They are actively involved in curriculum development, planning, and implementation within their classrooms and wider school community. Creativity and innovation are encouraged and supported in order for teachers to engage their students through inspiring classroom experiences. Seven Hills teachers seek to create an inclusive environment that encourages student collaboration and risk-taking.
Application Process
Please submit your resume and a cover letter via email to Lower School Head, Jennifer Arnest, at jarnest@sevenhillsschool.org. In your cover letter, please explain your interest in this position, including in what ways your background has prepared you for this role, and what draws you to Seven Hills school and mission.
As an equal opportunity employer, Seven Hills School recruits, hires, and promotes without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
