Posted: 04-Jun-25
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
About Shady Hill School:
Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK - Grade 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers. As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.
A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Gradeheads (classroom teachers) are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in social studies/history, language arts, and mathematics, working closely with the performing arts and visual arts faculty to integrate these disciplines.
Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution. Its long-standing Teacher Training Center, which brings apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field. Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.
About the position:
Shady Hill is seeking a 1st Grade Co-Teacher (Gradehead) to join our Lower School team for the 2025-2026 school year. This Gradehead will co-teach with another Gradehead in a 1st grade classroom with 20 - 22 students. Gradeheads in the Lower School are responsible for language arts/literature, social studies/history, and mathematics instruction for their classroom. 1st grade students attend Library, Music, Movement and Science, and each grade has an assigned part-time literacy specialist as well. This is a 1-year, full-time, in-person position for the 2025-2026 school year.
Specific Gradehead Responsibilities:
- Co-teach the year-long, grade level assigned Thematic Study / Central Subject which integrates instruction in language and literature, mathematics, science, music and art
- Beginners: Topics of Interest
- Kindergarten: All About Us
- Grade 1: Community
- Co-teach mathematics using the Illustrative Math curriculum with a focus on building student understanding
- Work closely and collaboratively with co-teacher, grade level team and department teachers to shape and refine curriculum
- Along with co-teacher, manage all classroom responsibilities, including implementing curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, utilizing a variety of approaches to teaching and assessing students
- Along with co-teacher, communicate regularly about student progress by writing reports, holding conferences with parents/guardians and meeting with other faculty and administrators to support the needs of individuals
- Monitor the social and emotional wellbeing, and academic achievement of students
- Serve as a full community member by attending weekly faculty meetings and performing weekly recess and dismissal duties, as well as volunteering for coverage duties when needed
The 1st Grade Co-Teacher is expected to attend Orientation (8/18 - 8/19), opening and closing meetings (late August 2025 and mid June 2026), other faculty meetings as scheduled, and to serve on committees of the faculty as needed.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required, Masters degree preferred
- At least three years of prior early childhood classroom teaching experience preferred
- Familiarity with integrated learning through a thematic approach
- Demonstrated knowledge of emerging literacy, accomplished-reader skills and the craft of writing
- Experience in helping children to construct mathematical knowledge through conceptually-based mathematics instruction that uses manipulatives and a problem-solving approach
- Effective, timely, and professional communication skills
- Employs multicultural, anti-bias, and anti-racist teaching strategies and materials that reflect cultural competence
Finalists will be expected to teach a demonstration lesson and provide a writing sample. Annual salary for faculty is determined according to a step scale commensurate with experience.
To apply: please send a cover letter and resume to apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “1st Grade Teacher” in the subject line of the email.
Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans and paid time off. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org.