Elementary- Kindergarten Teacher

Our 100% tuition free K-8th Grade campus in the Cleveland Central Neighborhood emphasizes academic expectations that promote a sense of worth, personal responsibility, civic engagement, and a “no excuse - every child can succeed” attitude. Stepstone Academy has the “whole child” “whole family” “whole community” mindset. We are changing more than just the narrative around urban education. Stepstone Academy is Changing Lives.

Essential Functions

• Communication & Relationship Development
• Able to communicate effectively and respectfully with children, parents/guardians, colleagues and community contacts
• Schedules time to become familiar with families: parent/guardian meetings and family engagement
• Demonstrates compassion and ability to make connections with students and families
• Demonstrates culturally competency and ability to relate to individuals with various ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds and socio-economic status
• Advocates for and provides emotional support to individual children and families based on issues related to poverty, social problems, dysfunctional families, violence, stressors outside of school, lack of parent involvement, etc.

• Instructional Design and Planning
• Develops and communicates timelines related to the common core
• Demonstrates the ability to develop creative curriculum incorporating technology and the opportunity for stretch assignments
• Designs and implements lessons and activities which guide students towards meeting and exceeding academic standards
• Demonstrates ability to bring their lessons and material to life, engaging students and extending thinking
• Demonstrates ability to differentiate instruction addressing a wide variety of intellectual and academic needs
• Demonstrates the ability to assess students through utilizing data to inform instruction
• Implements curriculum to provide life context to lessons
• Focused on what students should know and be able to do in order to reach or exceed Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)

• Instructional Environment
• Creates a positive, structured atmosphere for students to observe, understand, and exemplify the Stepstone Academy mission
• Conducts daily instruction, student assessment, and portfolio development
• Demonstrates ability to set, communicate and maintain HIGH expectations and a deep responsibility for each student’s progress, not accepting failure
• Demonstrates ability to manage student conduct through consistent expectations and organizes subject matter so that students are engaged
• Maintains student attendance and manages the transient student population and changing room dynamics
• Able to respond appropriately and maintain composure and possess professional demeanor at all times
• Committed to the Stepstone Academy vision and mission and the SA way

• Collaboration – Teamwork
• Creatively collaborates through parent-teacher relations and interfaces with the school’s educational support service specialist to ensure outcomes are aligned with the school’s mission and culture and student success
• Shares ideas and responsibilities with colleagues in order to benefit the whole
• Provides and accepts support and encouragement from their colleagues
• Eager and open to receiving and offering nonjudgmental feedback
• Works towards the values, virtues, mission and success of the whole through a What-Ever-It-Takes attitude

• Commitment & Motivation
• Personally committed to using every moment of every day for instruction, academic and personal, in and out of the classroom
• Passionate about changing the way urban students are educated
• Demonstrates inspiration , persistence, motivation, drive at exceptional levels
• Able to support and follow through with Stepstone Academy’s “no excuses” school and organizational culture
• Demonstrates expert knowledge of and enthusiasm for academic subjects and projects this enthusiasm to students
• Committed to modeling the virtues at all times with students, parent/guardians, colleagues and community contacts

• Professional Growth and Responsibilities
• Willing to examine oneself personally and professionally
• Expects excellence from students, teachers and leaders
• Possesses an exceptional level of professionalism, intellectual curiosity, ambition and goal oriented drive
• Encourages students to grow as human beings and to develop academically
• Excitement to learn and grow as a teacher and a leader and continually works to improve ability to do both
• Highly knowledgeable about content area theory and best practices
• Possesses intellectual curiosity by keeping abreast of changes in their fields
• As part of the What-Ever- It- Takes philosophy, teachers will be expected to assist in areas outside their normal job duties with students outside their normal classroom in an effort to ensure the overall success of Stepstone Academy.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• May be involved in the planning, organization and implementation of special events or department specific projects or seasonal program changes
• In times of need, employees may be asked to complete related duties other than those indicated above

Performance/Physical Requirements

• Requires long periods of standing, walking, stooping and bending.
• Requires extended work hours and work is performed in the school setting (inside and outside), in the community and visits will occur in the homes of the students
• Public speaking experience with children and/or adults required
• English writing, reading, and speaking skills required
• Cultural competency and the ability to teach and work with students and families of varying religions, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a non-judgmental, supportive manner
• Specialized knowledge of the lives and learning styles of the urban child, first hand experiences in urban schools, and an understanding of the community from which the child comes.
• Confident in teaching, communication and presentation abilities
• Energetic and enthusiastic about teaching and the prospect of helping students reach their fullest potential

Qualifications

• Qualified applicants will hold a minimum of a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Education.
• Minimum of a resident educator license required
• Must be able to demonstrate a proven record of success in the classroom.
• Teaching experience in an urban public or charter school setting is preferred.
• Ohio and FBI criminal background check required and must pass the minimum requirements per the State Department of Education.

At Stepstone we care about the health and safety of our employees. Stepstone requires applicants to complete a pre-employment screening process upon receipt of an offer of employment. We require and cover the cost of fingerprint background screening, physical, Tuberculosis test, and drug screen after an employment offer is made. Any employment offer is contingent upon receipt of all satisfactory pre-employment screenings.

We believe that fostering a workforce that reflects diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens our organization. Embracing diversity not only promotes a culture of respect and belonging, but it also enhances creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, ultimately contributing to our collective success.