Upper School Spanish Teacher

Title: Spanish Teacher

Department/Location

Upper School faculty, St. Louis

Position Type: Full-Time, 39 week

Summary

The Spanish Teacher uses a variety of teaching methods to effectively explain and demonstrate language concepts and culture in accordance with the school’s curriculum; leads classes and teaches primarily in the target language; proficient in upper-level Spanish skills.

Within our close-knit, mission-driven learning community, Principia School teachers nurture students’ limitless potential—academically, morally, and spiritually—modeling love, integrity, and lifelong learning in all they do.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.

• At Principia School, our core value is LOVE [https://www.principiaschool.org/about/belonging-and-community].
• Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach.
• We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life.
• We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities.
• Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment [https://www.principia.edu/debm] where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

• Primary Responsibilities
• Displays strong interest and love for working with high school students
• Develops four basic language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Planseffectiveandpedagogically-soundlessonsthatinvokestudentinterestandownership
• Models an enthusiasm and love for the subject matter
• Helps students develop a strong appreciation of foreign peoples and their cultures, knowledge of the area’s geography, and critical thinking and communication skills
• Has experience with or is willing to work in a 1:1 laptop environment
• Recognizes that the subject of Spanish is a vehicle for character education
• Handles discipline situations in an effective manner
• Communicates well and works collaboratively and effectively with colleagues, parents, Resident Counselors, and administrators
• Organizes professional obligations to achieve timeliness and order
• Uses effective information technology for student learning

• Secondary Responsibilities
• Demonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential
• Demonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens
• Recognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instruction
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals
• Supports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communication
• Participates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planning
• Serves as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School students
• Supports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention efforts
• Pursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.
• Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoons
• Fulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assigned
• Lead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activities
• Attends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travel
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and programmatic needs

Core Competencies

• Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:
• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements [https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements]
• Master’s degree in Spanish preferred
• Teaching certification required
• Documented teaching experience with high school students; ability to work with a wide range of students - helping them feel successful and reach their full potential
• Able to perform detailed work in pronunciation, practice in basic patterns of grammar, build vocabulary, develop aural-oral skills, teach reading and writing comprehension, and introduce culture and literature

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes

• Generous
• Employee
• Tuition
• Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
• Professional
• Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive
• Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here [https://www.principia.edu/jobs/highlights], including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.