New Canaan Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 9 co-ed, independent day school, serves approximately 570 students from diverse backgrounds living in 18 different towns/cities across Fairfield and Westchester counties. Our mission is to create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose. We believe that childhood is in itself an integral part of life to be lived fully and happily. 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.

Early Childhood at Country School serves approximately 100 students ages 3 to 6 years in Beginners and Kindergarten. 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 Beginners 3/4 assistant teacher with a strong sense of pedagogy and an understanding of best practices in instruction for the 2024-25 school year.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-sensory lessons in the primary curricular areas
• Attend, participate and contribute at weekly grade-level team meetings, Divisional Meetings and Wednesday Professional Development Sessions
• Support the lead teacher in maintaining a clean and inviting classroom to serve as the child’s third teacher
• Well-versed in Responsive Classroom language
• Able to take the lead in the Head teacher’s absence
• Serve on Admission observation teams and participate in Admission outreach events
• Continue to grow professionally by attending workshops, conferences, in-service training, and staying up to date on current literature and best practices

• Ability and willingness to understand and support the social, emotional and academic needs of Beginners
• Relevant experience teaching the age group and assessing student learning
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Desired Qualities

• Models inquiry, curiosity and risk-taking
• Embraces a willingness to be flexible, adaptable and open
• Is an active steward in helping to create a positive, encouraging, respectful and joyful culture
• Is reflective of teaching practice and seeker of feedback
• Demonstrates cultural competency
• Is organized and detail-oriented
• Responsive to the needs of the children and seeks PD to upskill as needed in order to reach all learners
• Communicate clearly with  colleagues, families and children