WILLOW CREEK ACADEMY
Sausalito, California
Position Description
Spanish Teacher and Cultural Studies Lead
About Willow Creek Academy:
Founded by a group of dedicated parents and community members, Willow Creek Academy opened its doors in September 2001. The founders created Willow Creek with a philosophy and belief that inquiry-driven, project-oriented learning would provide students countless opportunities to engage in learning and understanding. A majority of our students live in the Sausalito Marin City School District.
Starting with 37 students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade in September 2001, Willow Creek grew through the next years to a population of almost 400 children enrolled in grades K-8 for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Several features distinguish the Willow Creek charter school experience from a traditional District experience:
We engage students in their learning through project-based projects and teaching for understanding lesson design. We ask students to apply their knowledge in practical situations, especially those that highlight the environment and our social-emotional development.
Parent involvement is a strong part of our school culture. Families are asked to provide a minimum of 50 hours per school year in volunteer time to the School. This support can be manifest in a variety of ways from working in the classroom to driving on field trips to assisting at fundraising events.
Willow Creek is the beneficiary of an extraordinarily diverse student body. There is no significant majority of any specific socio-economic group. As a result, students of a variety of backgrounds and beliefs learn to work together and support each other.
As a relatively new school (2015-16 is our 15th year) and a small school, parents, students and staff have a strong voice in the direction the school will follow. Working with the Willow Creek Board of Directors, parents and staff, and sometimes students, are able to shape the school in the image that the community desires. Rarely does one have this opportunity in public education.
The Position:
This role has two main roles. The teacher will teach Spanish to all students in Middle School (two sections of 6th grade and one section each of 7th and 8th grades) three periods each week. In addition, the staff member will take a leadership role in leading the entire Team in the development of a comprehensive K-8 Cultural Studies program to launch in the Fall of 2016; this program would include a strong World Language component for K-5. The position is full time.
As part of the role’s responsibilities, the Spanish Teacher and Cultural Studies Lead is expected to fulfill duties in the following areas:
Plan, develop and teach Spanish classes for all Middle School students
Develop scope and sequence for Spanish program for grades 6-8
Implement Spanish curriculum for grades 6-8
Provide assessments and feedback for all students
Coordinate an electives program for K-5 students in World Language in partnership with our After School Program
Collaborate with staff, parents and Board to identify a scope and sequence for a K-8 Cultural Studies Program to launch in Fall of 2016 that would include a K-5 World Language component (likely Spanish)
Plan and lead cultural events at school, both during the school day as well as evening events
Communicate with families around Spanish and Cultural Studies programs
Other duties as assigned
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
While performing the duties of this job, the person is regularly required to use hands, to speak and to hear. The teacher is required to stand, walk, reach with hands, and stoop. The person must occasionally lift 10 or more pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
Qualifications:
1+ years of teaching experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Fluent in Spanish speaking, listening, writing and reading
Excellent classroom management skills
Love of middle school students
Self-starter who works well independently as well as in groups
Proficiency with technology
Highly collaborative
Ability to manage multiple project at once
Experience working with diverse youth strongly preferred
Benefits:
In return for your hard work, Willow Creek Academy offers a competitive salary, good benefits and, most importantly, the autonomy and professional latitude that charter schools offer.
How to apply
To apply:
Please email a PDF of your resume and cover letter to Royce Conner, Head of School, at rconner@willowcreekacademy.org. Please use “Spanish Teacher” in your subject.