Chicago, Illinois
Emeryville, California
Chicago, Illinois
Posted: 12-Feb-25
Location: Lyndhurt, Ohio
Type: Temp to Full Time
Long-Term Substitute Teacher – PreK-5 Elementary School Spanish
Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.
THE POSITION:
Working under the direction of the Lower School Director, the Long-Term Substitute Spanish Teacher will engage young learners in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in meaningful and developmentally appropriate Spanish language instruction. This teacher will foster an immersive language environment, using engaging methods to build students’ foundational skills in Spanish while connecting language learning to students’ lives and the broader curriculum. The substitute teacher will collaborate with classroom teachers and fellow specialists to create a joyful, student-centered learning experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide engaging and interactive Spanish instruction for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5.
- Implement curriculum plans that support language acquisition through conversation, storytelling, play, and cultural exploration.
- Create a warm and supportive classroom environment where all students feel encouraged to take risks and grow as language learners.
- Use developmentally appropriate teaching strategies and assessment methods to track student progress and adapt instruction accordingly.
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure Spanish language learning is integrated with classroom themes and broader school initiatives.
- Maintain regular communication with families regarding student progress and classroom experiences.
- Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Director or Head of School. Examples include supporting arrival or dismissal procedures and taking part in all-school events and activities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- A degree in Spanish, Elementary Education, or a related field is preferred.
- Fluency in Spanish and experience teaching young language learners in a school setting.
- Knowledge of best practices for early language acquisition and proficiency-based language instruction.
- Experience with Responsive Classroom or other student-centered teaching frameworks preferred.
- Strong understanding of child development and the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Experience with dynamic educational technology integration and learning enhancement.
- A willingness and eagerness to participate in the life of the school.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills, with a commitment to building positive partnerships with colleagues and families.
- A joyful enthusiasm for teaching Spanish and working with young learners.
- Flexibility, energy, creativity, high expectations, and a sense of humor.
HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES:
Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission.
Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.
Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.
Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.
Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.
Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.
THE SCHOOL:
Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduces its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.
To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Molly Toussant at LSAdministration@hawken.edu.
Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.