Elementary Learning Center Lead Teacher

The Island School Overview
The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in Eleuthera, The Bahamas, was founded in 1999 to create and support transformational educational experiences with the mission of leadership effecting change. The diverse educational initiatives, including The Island School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, the Elementary Learning Center, and Community Engagement, deliver unique education in partnership with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research, sustainable development and innovation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute.

Our educators, scientists, engineers and students live and work shoulder-to-shoulder on a 28 acre campus powered by renewable energy and live the philosophy that students should be generators of knowledge, not just consumers of knowledge. There is no such thing as an academic exercise, as all the work undertaken has real-world value outside of the educational experience. We are an ecosystem of education-based programs operating at the forefront of educational reform and experiential learning and aligned around a central question of How do we live well in a place? We are reimagining what education is for, and redesigning how education is delivered.

The Lab School Partnership
The Island School launched The Lab School Initiative in partnership with The Bahamas Ministry of Education. The goal of The Lab School is to enrich the national standard of education throughout The Bahamas by implementing evidence-based best practices in curriculum design, instruction, and assessment within a place-based educational model. The expectation is that the model is transferable and will be successful in other schools, and that it will set a precedent for additional schools to transition into place-based, experiential education utilizing high-impact strategies in alignment with the Bahamian national curriculum. The Lab School partnership includes: Elementary Learning Center at The Island School, Deep Creek Primary School, Ministry of Education and Deep Creek Middle School at The Island School.

The Elementary Learning Center
Our multi-age classroom model serves approximately 24 students ages 3-10 and utilizes the natural environment and access to incredible resources and expertise throughout our community to inspire, nurture and challenge our students. The ELC serves staff children as well as children from neighboring communities and as such, the academic and programmatic calendars are designed to meet the needs of those families. At the ELC, we provide students with experiential learning opportunities that focus on the development of the whole child:intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. The ELC models The Island School's educational philosophy for our youngest learners. Students are asked to do real work and to take personal responsibility. Instruction and activities are carefully planned to fully meet the needs of each student at their individual levels. Our teachers will facilitate a fun and engaging curriculum that utilizes our exceptional outdoor classroom and the benefits of a multi-age learning environment.

Job Summary
The ELC is seeking a Lead Teacher who will take primary responsibility for the design and delivery of an exceptional educational experience which takes advantage of our unique setting and community resources. The Lead Teacher will manage a small team of teachers and teaching assistants and will serve as the primary teacher, helping to further develop their team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Take primary responsibility for designing and delivering the educational experience for ELC students and fully engaging ELC parents in their child's education
• Apply an understanding of multi-age, inquiry-based educational approaches (e.g Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio-inspired pedagogies)
• Continue to develop and adapt curriculum, experiences and assessments according to students unique developmental and educational needs and in line with the developmental milestones of Common Core and Next Generation Science standards
• Show initiative, enthusiasm, and reliability in all aspects of school life
• Create and maintain an indoor-outdoor classroom environment that is clean, safe, stimulating, and functional
• Form strong teacher/student relationships based on mutual respect
• Effectively communicate with and engage parents in their child's education and provide written, artifact driven and verbal summaries of student progress on a consistent basis.
• Be responsive to the variety of needs, talents, and learning styles of a multi-age group of students, using a variety of teaching techniques
• Maintain a joyful, productive and respectful school culture, employing positive behavio support.
• Manage, support and mentor staff, volunteers, and interns and provide meaningful professional development opportunities
• Foster positive and effective relationships with parents and engage them in their child's learning and development. Provide meaningful ways for parents to contribute to the school experience
• Build relationships and collaborate with staff across campus to support educational opportunities for ELC students and enhance the integrated learning model of our whole community
• Work with school administrators to publish the annual ELC handbook and calendar and school events including parent information sessions, parent/teacher meetings, learning celebrations, and interim camps in advance of each academic year
• Support the ELC recruitment and admissions process to maintain full program enrollment
• Ensure the design and staffing needed for delivery of camp experiences during scheduled school breaks

Other Duties
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Skills and Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education
  ○ Degree in education / administration, marine biology, biology, or environmental science
• Experience and Skills
  ○ A minimum of 3 years experience as an early childhood or elementary educator
  ○ A minimum of 2 years experience in the management and administration of education programs
  ○ Experience assessing and managing risk in outdoor activities
  ○ Experience with planning and leading academic programs for young learners and communicating with parents
  ○ Experience mentoring young professionals
  ○ Effective verbal and written communication
  ○ Detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple projects at once
  ○ Proficiency with Google Workspace
  ○ Proficiency with email correspondence and virtual meetings (Google Calendar,Google Hangout, Zoom, WhatsApp)
• Adaptability
  ○ Able to survive and thrive in a small, tight-knit, green, sustainable campus community, located in a remote part of The Bahamas with a “can-do” attitude to address challenges and opportunities of such a place
• Preferred Certifications/Abilities
  ○ First Aid/CPR - Wilderness First Responder or better
  ○ Swimming - Demonstrated snorkeling and swimming ability. Lifeguard or swimming instruction experience or qualifications preferred

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Housing & utilities (benefit for employees who relocate to Eleuthera)
• Access to dining hall for on-campus meals when available
• Medical insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental reimbursement
• 10 days of paid vacation per year
• Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
• Professional Development opportunities

Schedule
This is a full-time academic position with an annual review, and the potential for extension depending on circumstance. The Island School operates year round and working hours vary depending on needs but are typically Monday-Friday (40 hours/week), however, evening and weekend work will be required. Special events will require periods of time outside of normal working hours when staff must be on site for extended periods. Although this role largely follows an academic year calendar, it is an educational leadership role which requires work and preparation beyond the academic calendar. The successful candidate should expect, and desire to work a variable and mission driven schedule.

Application
Applicants should include the following in their application:

• Letter of application that states career interests, why you would like to work for The Island School and your relevant experience and qualifications for the position
• Current resume
• Three references (to include name, address, telephone number and email address) familiar with the applicant's work

Submit all of these materials in PDF format detailing your interest and experience. Please submit your application at: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/careers/. The anticipated start date is 1st July 2024. Preference will be given to suitably qualified Bahamians. We are a Bahamian equal opportunity employer.

Keywords

Lead Teachereducational experiencecurriculum designmulti-ageinquiry-basedCommon CoreNext Generation Scienceindoor-outdoor classroomteacher/student relationshipspositive behavior supportstaff managementparent engagementintegrated learningrecruitmentadmissionscamp experiences