Job Description
Job Description
The Organization
As a Christ-centered K–12 school, Ambleside Colorado fosters educational renewal based on Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and practice. We have served the Denver-metro community since 2010 by providing a living education to students and families. We have a new campus opening in Englewood, CO, in addition to our established campus in Lone Tree, CO.
The philosophy of education developed by British educator Charlotte Mason shapes our curriculum and method. Her focus on engaging children with the best of creation and attention to habit-formation are models that remain relevant and poignant in guiding today’s children toward lives of purpose, character, and excellence.
The Position
The Spanish Teacher at Ambleside Colorado leads the foreign language program for students across both the Lone Tree and Englewood campuses. The role combines classroom Spanish instruction grounded in living language immersion, oral narrative, and the Ambleside/Charlotte Mason philosophy. The position is offered as a part-time (20-25 hrs/week) appointment split across both campuses.
Classroom Atmosphere
- Prepares an optimal classroom atmosphere for the student free of encroachments of personality, rewards, incentives, and punishments.
- Keeps a classroom environment conducive to the educational needs of students, organized, neat, and free of clutter.
- Takes responsibility for the care and maintenance of classroom materials, books, and language resources, and brings the children into this responsibility.
- Establishes positive relationships with each student and parent.
- Assists in helping each student develop academically, linguistically, spiritually, relationally, and physically.
Academic Excellence
- Follows the curriculum guide and uses the resources provided or approved by the school. For Spanish, this includes utilizing living literature, poetry, folksongs, and Ambleside-approved linguistic selections.
- Prepares for classes with familiarity with texts and materials, prepared lesson plans, and open-ended questions.
- Adheres to the philosophy and practice of Charlotte Mason as ascribed by Ambleside Schools International.
- Assists students in areas of linguistic or academic weakness through additional support or work, including coaching parents on how to support language learning at home.
- Models a love for learning and a love for the Spanish language and culture for the students.
- Seeks continually to broaden personal understanding of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and improve practice of her methods.
- Continues to pursue excellence in profession by retaining a learning posture.
Professionalism
- Pursues excellence with humility.
- Accepts responsibility for the safety and physical well-being of the children under his or her supervision, following all school guidelines.
- Protects the privacy and confidentiality of each student.
- Exhibits discretion and appropriate boundaries in conversations with other colleagues, staff members, board members, parents, students, and the community.
- Communicates effectively and respectfully with parents concerning their child.
- Notifies the principal promptly of behavior or academic difficulties with students, problems with parents, or other pressing administrative concerns.
- Maintains complete reports and records for each student.
- Supports and enhances building a culture of open and candid communication among school peers and leadership.
- Remains committed to building a respect-based community.
Peacemaking
- Offers guidance to students for making peace with others.
- Promptly and respectfully addresses conflicts with others following biblical principles (includes parents, students, staff members, Board members, and the community).
- Promotes a spirit of unity within the school — believing the best of others and speaking the truth in love.
- Addresses issues with the ‘owner’ of the infraction directly before and in place of going to others.
- Avoids the fueling and furthering of rumors.
- Supports leadership decisions (among staff, colleagues, parents, and students), after appropriately expressing disagreements in private.
- Demonstrates a spirit of cooperation, teamwork, and partnership with leadership, colleagues, and staff.
Other Expectations
- To be prompt, present, and attentive in performing services during the assigned working hours of the school day split across both campuses.
- To perform duties pertinent to arrival/dismissal with other teachers and staff.
- To make available Friday afternoons, until 3:45 pm, for staff and professional meetings as required for part-time schedule (check with principal for assigned hours).
- To attend the in-service trainings and workdays noted on the calendar (part-time employees, check with principal in advance for individual expectations).
- To hold parent/teacher conferences as published on the school calendar and when individually requested by parents.
- To participate in all Parent Teacher Conferences and Meetings.
- To attend all Community Events, at least three Ambleside Evening meetings, and Open Houses as requested.
- To attend weekly devotions and meetings with staff when scheduled.
- To participate in school-wide events published in the school calendar.
- To participate in available training, including local customized programs, Internships, and the Summer Institute.
- To perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) minimum. A degree or significant coursework in Spanish, Spanish Education, Linguistics, or a related field is strongly preferred.
- Fluency in Spanish (both written and spoken) with an ability to teach grammar, literature, and conversation dynamically.
- Familiarity with the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education (specifically regarding foreign language acquisition through living ideas and narrative) is preferred; willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in this method is required.
- Previous experience teaching elementary or secondary students is highly preferred.
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