Grade 1 Lead Teacher Leave Replacement

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfil their potential, find their path, and follow their passions, whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community.

The Lower School at Country School serves approximately 210 students in Grades 1 through 4. Our teachers support the educational mission of the school as well as its core values of community, courage, curiosity and kindness. A strong teacher presence and low student‑teacher ratio help usher children through these critical formative years. The school is seeking an energetic, experienced, and dynamic teacher for a grade one leave replacement position for the spring (mid‑March through early June) of the 2025‑2026 school year. This individual must possess a strong sense of pedagogy and an understanding of best practices in instruction.

Responsibilities

Cultivate a joyful, vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming classroom community supported by strong classroom management skills

Create strong connections and relationships with students in order to foster a positive and trusting learning environment

Plan, organise and implement a developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive first grade program

Partner with grade‑level colleagues in short and long‑term planning of curriculum

Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents/guardians through formal and ongoing informal touchpoints

Participate productively in grade‑level, department, division and all employee meetings

Differentiate instruction to meet the varied needs of learners across all core subjects

Evaluate students’ academic and social growth, keep appropriate records, prepare narrative reports and conduct parent conferences

Support and collaborate with the classroom Apprentice Teacher and share teaching responsibilities appropriately

Supervise and engage with students in out‑of‑classroom activities during the day, such as recess, lunch, and during field trips and other events

Identify student needs and partner with Learning Resource professionals to support student growth and development

Requirements

Ability to effectively teach core subjects, such as language arts, math and social studies, as well as additional skills to students

Ability and willingness to understand and support the social, emotional and academic needs of first grade children

Relevant experience teaching the age group and assessing student learning

Well‑versed in the practices of Responsive Classroom

A strong background in reading instruction for this age group

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Desired Qualities

Demonstrates joy in working with students of this age and being in a school environment

Is collaborative, flexible, creative and adaptive

Has strong oral, written and interpersonal skills

Demonstrates cultural competence

Has experience in reading instruction for varied levels of readers

Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth and development; stays informed of current research and practice and child development

Has knowledge of appropriate use of technology to enhance the learning experience

Instills a growth mindset of healthy risk‑taking and mistake‑making in students

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