2nd/3rd Grade Team Teacher

2nd/3rd Grade Team Teacher

SCFS is seeking a teacher to work with our mixed-age second- and third-grade classes in both a Lead and Assistant capacity for the 2025-2026 school year. This person will partner with a seasoned 2nd/3rd Grade Lead Teacher to serve in an assistant role during the majority of the week and will step into the lead role during the Lead Teacher’s planned absences 1.5-2 days per week. This unique opportunity will allow the Team Teacher to collaborate closely with and receive guidance from the seasoned 2nd/3rd Grade Lead Teacher to implement an experiential and integrated curriculum, preparing for the potential of a full-time Lead Teaching role in the 2026-2027 school year. Faculty members at SCFS thoughtfully engage people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences and foster an environment of trust, collaboration, and professionalism at school. A strong alignment with Quaker testimonies and progressive education -- in philosophy and teaching practice -- is expected.

Responsibilities
While supporting the Lead Teacher, the Assistant Teacher:
- assists students one-on-one;
- contributes to classroom management and behavior management;
- supervises students independently;
- works with small groups of students;
- prepares materials;
- supports the Lead Teacher across the academic and social-emotional program as needed.
- helps establish a positive classroom community and culture of belonging;
- helps create and maintain an inviting, stimulating, and neat classroom environment;

While stepping into the Lead role, the teacher also:
- delivers large- and small-group instruction across the curriculum;
- facilitates hands-on projects;
- manages student behavior in a manner consistent with classroom culture.

In addition, the teacher will:
- collaborate with the 2nd/3rd Grade Teaching Team and SCFS colleagues in a creative, dynamic, values-based learning community;
- communicate in a timely, accurate, and nonviolent manner with students, families, and colleagues;
- assist with documenting students’ learning and writing progress reports;
- help to engage families in the school-home partnership through individual communications and meetings as needed, contributing to the weekly classroom newsletter, and participating in family-teacher conferences;
- share in community responsibilities outside the classroom including but not limited to faculty meetings, committee work, and supervision of students during arrival, break, lunch, recess, and dismissal;
- participate in other school-wide programs and events, including but not limited to Open House, Back to School Night, Move Up information sessions, and the overnight all-school camping trip;
- attend in-service meetings and pursue professional development opportunities in consultation with the Head of School;
- complete other duties as assigned by the Lead Teacher or Head of School, consistent with the position of a member of the faculty.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Process
Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest in this specific position at SCFS addressed to the Hiring Committee, resume, and three professional references with contact information to [email protected]. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior approval.

Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule a preliminary interview. Finalist candidates will be invited to an on-campus interview with the Hiring Committee, including the delivery of a sample lesson. Applicant materials will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

Full Time, Salaried, Seasonal: This 10-month position includes five full days per week in the classroom, in addition to time outside of this schedule for faculty and committee meetings, professional development, family-teacher conferences, progress report writing, and school events.

Qualifications of the Ideal Teacher
The ideal candidate is joyful about teaching and working with second- and third-grade-aged children and demonstrates passion for progressive education and the Quaker testimonies that guide SCFS’s mission. Essential skills for this role include clear and compassionate communication, organization and time management, and a growth mindset. The ideal candidate also brings:
- experience working in or attending an independent school;
- demonstrated knowledge of cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice;
professional conduct;
- high interest in collaboration with colleagues;
- a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field.

Physical Requirements
This position includes, but is not limited to:
- moving;
- bending;
- walking, including at a fast pace, both indoors and outdoors;
- lifting up to 50 pounds;
- kneeling;
- squatting;
- sitting on the floor;
- standing for long periods of time;
- climbing stairs.

State College Friends School prohibits discrimination and harassment against any member of the School community on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, sex, personal appearance, genetic information, economic background, political affiliation, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

8/18/2025