The Waverly School in Pasadena, California seeks a full-time lower school (K-2) elementary teacher for the 2026-27 school year.

Waverly is highly collaborative and the mission focuses on social justice education and progressive pedagogy. We have a highly collaborative school and there is an expectation to work closely with classroom teachers and other specialists. The successful candidate will also have skill in working with a diverse range of learners and be skilled in classroom management. Skillful, timely communication with parents is essential in the role, particularly since parents are learning about the emerging learning needs of their children. 

The candidate must also have a commitment to building a mission aligned, diverse and inclusive community, reflective of the socio-economic, racial, ethnic, varied family structure, and gender diversity of the greater Los Angeles area. While not required, the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, Chinese, Armenian, French, Hindi, Urdu and/or Korean will be particularly useful in this diverse region of California.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan and design curriculum through thematic approach that aligns with Waverly’s scope and sequence and as aligned with the school mission and philosophy.

• Use teaching strategies that include small and large group instruction, hands-on experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, integrated learning.
• Use Responsive Classroom or Culturally Responsive Teaching pedagogy and techniques to set-up, run and develop a consistent, caring classroom environment.
• Teach and maintain proficiency in subject specific programs used by the school such as Everyday Math and Handwriting without Tears, and UFLI.
• Provide supervision of students outside the classroom in collaboration with a teaching partner (lead or co-lead) – i.e. lunch periods, dismissal, walking to and from other campuses, including Farm.
• Collaboration with grade-level/grade-proximal teachers, specialists, and learning support educators.
• Collaborate with and support the Co-lead/Associate Teacher in their growth and development. 
• Provide the Head of Elementary School with feedback on the Associate’s strengths and areas of growth.
• Use formative and summative assessment tools to meet students’ learning needs.
• Monitor and document student progress throughout the year and evaluate learning development.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with parents.
• Have regular communication with parents-via email and newsletters.
• Lead parent/teacher conferences (or facilitate student led conferences when appropriate) twice per year.
• Write and edit semester reports that include radials/checklists and narrative writing and submit on-time.
• Chaperone field trips (1st through 6th may have overnight trips), outdoor education trips, or other experiential learning opportunities
• Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings (after school) and occasional workshops, in-service opportunities, and other training seminars.
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the employee and faculty handbooks.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Division Head or Head of School.

  Other Requirements: 

  • Positive attitude, excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Collaborate and communicate regularly with teachers, staff, parents, and students in a positive and constructive manner.
  • Ability to design a culturally responsive curriculum that attends to the needs of diverse learners. 
  • Occasionally provide classroom coverage during free periods when outside substitutes are not available.
  • Support admissions and other school events (i.e. parent education nights, back to school night and open house).
  • Attend special events during evenings and weekends.
  • Participate in the weekly Elementary School meeting and occasional cross-divisional All School Meetings.
  • Participate in August and June work weeks and student orientation weeks.
  • Participate in end of year culmination ceremonies.
  • Serve on at least one school committee (i.e. DEIJ, admissions, curriculum, technology, etc.)
  • Strong commitment to anti-racist and inclusive practices that support students of all backgrounds to succeed.

Physical Demands and Abilities

• Teacher is expected to work in person, on campus during school hours.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations, including the Farm.
• Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers.
• Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.
• Regularly move up and down stairs.
• Regularly sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.

Other Employment requirements

• CPR/AED/First Aid certification training
• Successful completion and positive result of of background checks as required by CA state law
• Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools
• Annual Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention Training
• Adhere to school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee and Faculty Handbooks

About The Waverly School

The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Waverly is a progressive, coeducational, college preparatory school in Pasadena, CA, serving students and their families from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1993, Waverly fosters lifelong learning in a child-centered and intellectually challenging environment. With nearly 350 students, Waverly offers an exceptional faculty, thoughtful programs, and expressive students within three adjacent campuses. Its one-acre farm is within walking distance. Waverly is economically diverse and culturally rich; our families live in many Los Angeles area neighborhoods. The Waverly School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools... and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of The Alliance, POCIS, and A Better Chance. The school is in walking distance from the Metro L (Gold) Line Del Mar station.

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Connections working at The Waverly School