Reports to:    Elementary and Enrichment Coordinator; Director of Upper School; Head of School 

Location:     The Discovery School, 102 15th St., Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250

 About the School

The Discovery School is a private, non-profit school that offers a unique educational experience through a gradual evolution from pure Montessori, to a blended curriculum, to pure International Baccalaureate (IB) over the course of the child's academic career, serving children ages 18-months through eighth grade.

Through a progressive and internationally-minded framework, students receive a firm foundation in academic skills and participate in a wide variety of enrichment opportunities from a dedicated and caring faculty. Students in our toddler and primary program engage in learning in a Montessori prepared environment with Montessori trained teachers. Students in our elementary school are a part of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). Our middle school seeks to challenge students with academic rigor in a low-pressure environment. 

 Who We Are Looking For

Discovery seeks a dynamic, creative, and dedicated Elementary Teacher with a strong passion for learning, a growth mindset, and a commitment to innovation in education. As an IB World School, our culture is about having the freedom and latitude to discover our passions and thrive on encouraging this mindset. 

 The Elementary Lead teacher should have a deep love of and respect for our students and believe that Discovery School students are:

• Explorers pursuing their passions 
• Spirited and reflective risk-takers 
• Peacemakers 
• Resourceful and persevering innovators 
• Leaders who inspire others to discover and act on what is possible 
• Responsible, courageous world citizens

Job Summary:

The Discovery School Elementary Lead Teacher understands and promotes the school’s mission, vision, core values, and policies both within and outside the immediate school community.  The elementary teacher is responsible for providing an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) that supports the children's individual needs.

 The Teacher is responsible for interpreting and implementing all classroom-based assessments as indicated in the School’s curriculum guide. The Lead Teacher is also accountable for regularly evaluating the program to ensure children's social, emotional, and academic needs are met according to the Florida Council of Independent Schools, IB-PYP, and state licensing standards.  The Lead Teacher is professionally responsible for implementing best practices based on current research in education.

 This job requires the employee to spend most working hours with young children. This includes but is not limited to standing, bending at the waist, kneeling, sitting on the floor, and lifting.

Normal Hours:

• Monday thru Friday that school is in session 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Other hours as required and deemed necessary by the Head of School

Planning, Preparation, Instruction, and Communication:

• The teacher creates instruction that supports the development of the child's cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth.
• The teacher uses the School Curriculum, IB standards, and current research-based best instructional practices to develop integrated units of inquiry and instruction that meet both the group and individual needs of students.
• The teacher is responsible for maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the PYP Coordinator and specialty teachers, coordinating curriculum integration and implementation.
• The teacher works with students of various abilities assigned to the classroom, including those with learning differences, as diagnosed. The teacher may be required to participate in child study team meetings, training, and planning cooperatives to meet each child’s needs.
• The teacher uses various assessment tools/strategies such as observations, children’s work samples, continuums of development, NWEA Map, portfolios, etc., to help make instructional decisions for individual students.
• The teacher is responsible for preparing a peaceful environment in which the furnishings and materials are complete and correspond to the needs of the group; for maintaining a clean, orderly, and attractive environment, including the care and maintenance of plants, animals, classroom materials, and equipment; for communicating needs for the classroom in accordance with school policy, i.e., maintaining inventory of classroom materials and any additional materials needed.
• The teacher creates an environment that demonstrates rapport with respect and kindness for all students and between students.  The teacher models and teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies in the classroom.  
• The teacher promotes an understanding and appreciation of all cultures.
• The teacher promptly reports discipline concerns beyond typical classroom strategies to the IB Coordinator and/or Director.  A meeting with parents may be needed.
• The teacher is responsible for the safety of the children left in their charge, within the classrooms, and on the playground, until dismissed to a responsible adult.  The teacher is responsible for the appropriate treatment and well-being of all children, based on respect.  No child should ever be left unsupervised either inside or outside the classroom, except when directed by the teacher.
• The teacher is responsible for understanding and implementation of the School Emergency Operations Plan and must follow School-wide security protocols. 
• The teacher is responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school’s program, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family in the school community.
• The teacher establishes a positive relationship with the parents of the students and maintains regular communication with parents with regard to their child’s specific needs.  The teacher provides for parent and/or student-led conferences, meetings, and communication throughout the school year in accordance with school policy. The teacher responds to parent concerns in a timely manner.
• The teacher communicates to parents and others about the classroom and curriculum in the school community. The teacher executes on PREP (Parent Education and Retention Program) and is imbued with Discovery's Be Our Guest attitude.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, Masters's degree in education a bonus but not required.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience.
• Experience with IB and/or progressive learning approaches. 
• Comfortable with integration of technology as a tool enabling learning.
• Deep capability to engage in differentiated instruction strategies. 
• Ability to make connections across disciplines, respond to students' ideas and inquiry by adapting lesson plans.
• Exceptionally strong spoken and written communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage in a collaborative community. 
• Adept at communicating Discovery’s story to various constituencies.
• Is committed to Discovery’s Characteristics of Professional Excellence  
• Model the Portrait of the Graduate 
• Passionately pursue their own professional growth and development 
• Unabashedly hold children at the center of all decisions and actions 
• Cultivate an inclusive and vibrant learning community 
• Discover and act on what is possible  

Work Authorization: The candidate must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance,  403(b), LTD and STD, paid & holiday leave, and life insurance.

Start Date: As soon as possible

To Apply: https://www.thediscoveryschool.org/about/employment 

The Discovery School is an equal opportunity employer.

Reports to: Director of Curriculum and Learning, Head of School

This is a 10-month position following the school year calendar, inclusive of teacher work weeks and professional development pursuits. The Librarian is a key member of the educational staff. Technological proficiency with Mac hardware/software and competency with electronic communication methods are requirements for the fulfillment of this job description. 

Summary of Position: 

The Discovery School Librarian understands and promotes the school's mission, vision, core values, and policies both within and outside the immediate school community. The Librarian is responsible for providing a classroom/instructional program that supports both Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB) methodologies while respecting the individual needs of the children in accordance with the school's mission and vision. 

The Librarian works collaboratively and is committed to ongoing curriculum development and growth within the IB framework. This position communicates effectively with the administration on all aspects of the program to maintain congruence between the program and the Board-approved mission. The Librarian is professionally responsible for implementing best practices based on current research in the field of education. 

This job requires the employee to spend working hours at a desk and interfacing with a computer, performing tasks necessary for the upkeep of the campus, and working directly with children, team members, and vendors/contractors. In addition, this job may require the employee to stand, bend, kneel, or lift in their regular job duties. 

Normal Hours:

1. Monday through Friday that school is in session from 7:40 am - 4:00 pm. 

2. Other hours as required and deemed necessary.

Accountabilities:

Professional Knowledge

Participates in a regular evaluation process, including classroom observations, feedback conferences, and self-evaluation toward the goals in conjunction with the Director of Curriculum and Learning.

1. Maintains solid knowledge of the Montessori & IB Curriculum frameworks. 

2. Continues to develop a deep knowledge of children's literature, information literacy, and library best practices to foster a love of reading and research skills among students. 

3. Stays current with educational trends, technology integration, and diverse literary resources to support a dynamic and inclusive library program. 

Resource Management

1. Assumes a leadership role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom by creating and sustaining an environment promoting free inquiry and exposing students to a broad range of ideas. 

2. Establishes yearly and long-term goals for the library media program. 

3. Administers the library media and resources, developing policies and procedures to ensure efficient operation and services. 

4. Curates an inclusive and high-quality library collection that reflects a wide range of cultures, perspectives, and voices. Selects materials that support the school's curriculum, fosters a love of reading, and provides students with access to stories and information that reflect their identities and expand their understanding of the world. 

5. Regularly evaluates and updates the collection to maintain relevance, accuracy, and engagement for all learners.

6. Administers the set-up and maintenance of an automated catalog and circulation system. 

7. Maintains and administers a system for library check-out considerations, ensuring that all faculty and staff are abreast of the current process for checking out books and, with the help of the administration, observes/enforces related accountabilities. 

8. Classifies, catalogs, and circulates library materials and instructs students and staff in the use of the library system. 

9. Expands access to information through the use of online resources and conducting interlibrary loans. 

10. Operates within an annual budget and is responsible for submitting an accounting of these funds.

11. Trains and supervises both adult and student volunteers as needed. 

Teaching and Learning

1. Collaborates with teachers to integrate information literacy, media literacy, and research skills into Montessori or IB units of inquiry, ensuring students develop critical thinking and responsible digital citizenship. 

2. Aligns library resources with IB Units of Inquiry, designing research experiences that enhance student inquiry and critical thinking.

3. Works with school faculty/staff to develop a schedule for effective use of the library by groups (large and small) and individuals. 

4. Teaches library lessons to students from Toddlers through Elementary, providing group and individual instruction in library skills, literature, information literacy skills, research strategies, and use of resources and equipment. 

5. Provides group and individual instruction in technology skills, including the G Suite for Education suite of tools, digital citizenship, graphic design, and other skills as needed for students. 

6. Teaches at least one Middle School Elective and contributes to the program as appropriate.

7. Differentiates instruction as effective and required.

8. Utilizes ongoing formative assessments of engagement with library resources, information literacy skills, and research competencies to monitor students' development and understanding, providing feedback that encourages reflection and growth. 

9. Communicates individual student assessment through progress reports as relevant. 

Promoting Reading, Inquiry, and Research throughout the School

1. Actively promotes reading, literature, and library use through such activities as storytelling, book talks, displays, publications, reading programs, and special events.

2. Actively promotes reading, literature, and library use by making the library a welcoming and relevant learning environment.

3. As a result of collaborative planning, is involved in co-teaching, team or shared teaching, and individual library lessons so as to contribute to the informational and inquiry learning needs of the students. 

4. Effectively contributes towards the curricular development of information literacy and inquiry needs by collaborating with teachers in planning.

5. As a resource expert, helps teachers plan for the resources students will use in shared and individual inquiries. 

Safety, School Culture and Communication:

The Librarian is responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school's program, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family in the school community. 

1. Monitors student digital activity through GoGuardian alerts and collaborates with teachers and administrators to address any concerns, ensuring compliance with school policies on digital safety and responsible technology use.

2. Adheres to Discovery's "Be Our Guest" model, partners with families and colleagues to build positive relationships, and sparks interest in reading and the library.

3. Promotes the school's library and love for reading and provides and plans for opportunities to experience literature and research beyond students' initial involvement (invites guest authors, etc.)

4. Plans and conducts Library Showcases on occasion and as opportunities arise.

5. Provides individual and group learning updates (Streams) to families to help promote an understanding of the program.

6. Is responsible for the safety of the children within the classrooms and on the school premises until dismissed to a responsible adult. Every teacher is responsible for the appropriate treatment and well-being of all children, based on respect. No child should ever be left unsupervised, either inside or outside the classroom.

7. Models and teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies in the classroom.

8. Is responsible for the complete understanding and implementation of the School Emergency Operations Plan and follows School-wide security protocols. 

9. Immediately corrects and/or reports any safety issues to the Director of Facilities and/or the Head of School.

Professional Responsibility:

The Librarian is expected to actively contribute to a positive, collaborative, and professional school culture. This includes approaching each workday with a constructive and solution-oriented mindset; working collaboratively as a team player; demonstrating flexibility; and showing commitment to the school's mission, values, and community. The Librarian is expected to be a culture-builder who strengthens trust, collaboration, and morale within the school.

The Librarian is also expected to demonstrate the highest level of professionalism at all times. This includes punctuality for all assigned duties, meetings, and responsibilities; meeting established deadlines; responding to communication in accordance with the school's communication policy; and attending all required team, curriculum, and scheduled meetings. Reliability, accountability, and professional conduct are essential components of this role.

The Librarian is involved in ongoing self-assessment and refinement of practice in the classroom and collaborative professional growth.

1. Is responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines established in the personnel handbook, adhering to all school policies, and is responsible for complying with all state regulations and requirements of accrediting organizations. 

2. Maintains his/her teaching skills and participates in professional development activities both within the school community and attends conferences or workshops, etc. 

3. Participates in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment, for example, age-level meetings, curriculum discussion groups, working committees, mentoring, etc. 

4. Attends all scheduled meetings and professional days as appropriate to their level; participates and shares information from professional development activities with colleagues to benefit the learning community.

5. Collaborates with the admissions process when requested.

6. Assists in the development of and participates in school functions, including but not limited to Open Houses, Parent Orientations, Fall & Spring Festivals, Board/PTO Community Meetings.

7. Is responsible for keeping the Director of Curriculum and Learning updated on events, personal and professional issues, schedule, and curricular coordination that could impact performance.

8. Performs other duties assigned by the Director of Curriculum and Learning and/or Head of School. 

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree, Masters's degree in education a bonus but not required.

2. At least 3 years of teaching experience.

3. Experience with IB and/or progressive learning approaches. 

4. Comfortable with integration of technology as a tool enabling learning.

5. Deep capability to engage in differentiated instruction strategies. 

6. Ability to make connections across disciplines, respond to students' ideas and inquiry by adapting lesson plans.

7. Exceptionally strong spoken and written communication and interpersonal skills. 

8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage in a collaborative community. 

9. Adept at communicating Discovery's story to various constituencies.

10. Is committed to Discovery's Characteristics of Professional Excellence 

11. Model the Portrait of the Graduate 

12. Passionately pursue their own professional growth and development 

13. Unabashedly hold children at the center of all decisions and actions 

14. Cultivate an inclusive and vibrant learning community 

15. Discover and act on what is possible 

Work Authorization: The candidate must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance,  403(b), LTD and STD, paid & holiday leave, and life insurance.

Start Date: As soon as possible

To Apply: https://www.thediscoveryschool.org/about/employment 

The Discovery School is an equal opportunity employer.

Reports to: Afterschool & Substitute Coordinator

Summary of Position

The Discovery School Substitute Teacher understands and promotes the school's mission, vision, core values, and policies both within and outside the immediate school community. They are also responsible for operating and managing the classroom and after-care environment, as assigned, ensuring all students are safely dismissed to their appropriate caregiver.

The Discovery School Substitute Teacher is flexible and adapts to the needs of the environment in which they work. The Substitute Teacher is responsible for supporting a classroom/instructional program that incorporates Montessori and International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) methodologies (dependent on program level) while respecting the individual needs of the children in accordance with the school's mission and vision. 

The Substitute Teacher is responsible for communication that supports an understanding of the school's program, develops positive relationships within the school community, and protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student and family in the school community. 

This position requires the employee to spend the majority of work hours actively attending to young children. This will include, but is not limited to, standing, bending at the waist, kneeling, sitting, walking up and down stairs, and lifting.

Normal Hours:

1. Monday through Friday, when school is in session, as requested and agreed upon.

2. Other hours as required and deemed necessary by the Program Coordinator, Director of Lower School, the Director of Upper School, or the Head of School, as agreed upon.

The Substitute Teacher:

1. Immediately corrects and/or reports safety issues, accidents, and incidents to the Lead Teacher, the Dean of Students, and/or the Head of School.

2. Is responsible for ensuring an organized and clean environment according to Lead Teacher directives. This includes, but is not limited to, properly storing all classroom supplies.

3. Collaborates with and follows the directions of the Lead Teacher's method of interacting with children and adults, per Discovery's policies, including respectful communication and positive directives and phrasing. 

4. Follows lesson plans and ensures the continuity of an orderly classroom in the absence of the Lead Teacher, teaching the provided curriculum. At times, the Substitute Teacher may be asked to establish lesson plans independently. 

5. Monitors and assists children with classroom jobs.

6. Manages arrivals and dismissals as required and with strict adherence to Emergency Contact protocol.

7. Is responsible for the safety and well-being of the children left in their charge, within the classrooms and on the playground, until dismissed to a responsible adult. No child should ever be left unsupervised, either inside or outside the classroom.

8. Assists with other projects, programs, and planning as assigned or requested by the leadership of the school.

9. Establishes positive relationships with students, which, while recognizing the differing roles of adult and child, are characterized by mutual respect and goodwill.

10. Notifies the Program Coordinator and/or Head of School immediately of professional difficulties with children, parents, or staff, and/or personal difficulties that may affect the Substitute Teacher's role/responsibilities.

11. Models integrity, curiosity, responsibility, creativity, and respect for all persons as well as an appreciation for racial, cultural, and gender differences and diversity.

12. Is imbued with Discovery's Be Our Guest attitude.

13. Assists with the execution of Emergencies and Emergency Drills per the established protocol.

14. Handles toileting and proper hygiene as required and needed by the program.

Professional Responsibility:

1. Participates in the establishment and maintenance of an atmosphere of collegial support and adherence to professional standards.

2. Participates in collegial activities designed to make the entire school a productive learning environment. 

3. Is responsible for reading and adhering to the guidelines as established in the personnel handbook and all school policies.

4. Is responsible for complying with all state regulations and requirements of accrediting organizations.

5. Initiates growth and change in their own intellectual and professional development.

6. Is responsible for keeping the Program Coordinator and/or Director of Lower or Upper School updated on events, personal and professional issues, schedules, and curricular coordination that could impact their performance.

7. Enthusiastically supports new initiatives.

8. Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator and/or Director of Lower or Upper School.

9. Communicates with other teachers, parents, and caregivers as needed.

Qualifications:

1. Has a bachelor's degree (or higher) plus experience in education, preferred.

2. Professional Teacher Certification or Montessori Credential is a PLUS.

3. A genuine love of children.

4. Has working knowledge of achievement, aptitude, and diagnostic testing of students.

Work Authorization: The candidate must be authorized to work in the US.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Benefits: None

Start Date: As soon as possible

To Apply: https://www.thediscoveryschool.org/about/employment 

The Discovery School is an equal opportunity employer.