Organization Background

Horizons at SFFS provides joyful academic and enrichment learning opportunities that build on the skills and talents of students in San Francisco public schools. Students join Horizons at SFFS in Kindergarten and participate consistently through 8th Grade through a comprehensive summer program as well as year-round tutoring and enrichment referral opportunities. Beyond 8th grade, Horizons at SFFS is expanding to provide students recurring high school success workshops as well as mentorship, internship, and postsecondary planning opportunities.

Working in partnership with Horizons families, referring schools in the Mission District, and the host school San Francisco Friends School, Horizons at SFFS is committed to developing the whole child and offers activities that promote higher-level thinking and perspective, develop academic skills, leadership, and self-efficacy – all while raising student aspirations and expectations for their lives. Horizons at SFFS is a nondenominational program This upcoming summer Horizons will serve approximately 153 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. For more information about Horizons at SFFS, please visit http://www.horizonsatsffs.org.

Position Overview

Horizons at SFFS is seeking dedicated and experienced Lead Teachers (K-8th) with a dynamic talent for creating and nurturing a lifelong love of learning in children. We are looking for talented, passionate, caring professionals who will contribute to the educator community, fulfill the Horizons mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring and educational culture. The Lead Teacher will work with an Assistant Teacher, Reading Specialist, and a high school volunteer, and will be supported by the Executive Director, Instructional and Curriculum Coach, and the Academic Program Director. Our summer teachers walk away with new skills and experiences that they will take with them to their year-round classrooms. This is a temporary in-person position located at 250 Valencia St. San Francisco, CA 94103

Essential Job Functions:

The Lead Teacher will:

• Design and teach high quality, culturally responsive, project-based curriculum and engage students in learning math, science and language arts throughout our six-week summer enrichment program.
• Plan and lead fun, community-building games and enriching experiential learning opportunities.
• Lead the Horizons staff in identifying individual students’ learning profiles, building on each youth's academic strengths, and coordinating resources and activities to best address his/her areas of need.
• Meet regularly with their Assistant Teacher to plan curriculum and lessons with weekly support from C&I Lead or APD. Review assessment data with Reading Specialists and tailor lessons according to student needs.
• Participate in daily meals with the students, attend virtual Family Nights and Faculty Meetings, and other duties that may be required.
• Attend a paid, weeklong professional development session prior to the start of the program (June 12-16th).
• Collaborate with educator working groups and contribute to professional development spaces.
• Develop and nurture a safe, respectful, challenging, and fun learning environment.
• Assist in evaluating program effectiveness.
• Help maintain ongoing communication with parents, caregivers, and school year teachers.
• Participate in two half day planning meetings to prepare for summer in late April and early May.
• Meet regularly with Lead Teacher, Instructional and Curriculum Coach, Academic Program Director, Executive Director, and volunteers as needed to accomplish goals and/or problem-solve as issues occur.

QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to a strong commitment to Horizon’s mission, this position requires a balance of content knowledge and proficiency in pedagogical best practices that are culturally responsive. The ideal candidate for the Lead Teacher position must be flexible, well organized, capable of taking initiative, and full of enthusiasm for both teaching and learning. Below are some of the required and preferred qualifications for the position.

Required:

• 2 or more years working as a K-4th Grade teacher.
• Experience managing a classroom with diverse school age children and working in partnership with families.
• Planning and delivering lessons for the assigned grade level that are grounded in current pedagogy.
• Skill and experience in designing, differentiating, and delivering curriculum for TK-6th Grade second language learners.
• Knowledge and skills in classroom management, social-emotional learning, and specific strategies for developing children’s noncognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy and self-discipline.
• Understanding and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing public school students and families living in the Mission District.
• A strong affinity with the values of Horizons. Willingness to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes.
• Ability to maintain good communication between all stakeholders, set clear expectations and directions, and give and receive feedback across the organization.

Preferred:

• Fluency in English/Spanish preferred (bicultural also preferred).
• 4 or more years working as a K-4th Grade teacher.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• Leadership experience and ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Elementary teaching credential or equivalent experience, with a BCLAD preferred.

The salary range for the Lead Teacher position is $7,600-$9,660 (commensurate with experience) for seven weeks of full-time work. The Lead Teacher is an exempt position and includes a week of prep prior to the program’s start and six weeks of summer program. Each Spring, teachers and staff are expected to attend two staff planning meetings.

Dates:

Pre-Summer Mandatory Training Dates

Late April, 9am - 1pm

Mid May 9am - 1pm

Summer, 2023

Monday, June 12 - Friday, June 16 - Teacher orientation week and classroom set-up

Tuesday, June 20 - Friday, July 28 - Six-week program (no program on June 19th or July 3-4)

Continuity of work

It is our hope that Horizons summer staff will be open to returning to the program for more than one summer, as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community. Beyond summer, Horizons provides year-round programming to its students and families throughout the year.

To Apply: Please email a resume and cover letter, outlining your skills and experience (PDF format, please) to Ariel Mendez-Peñate, Academic Program Director of Horizons at San Francisco Friends School at amendez-penate@sffriendsschool.org with subject line “Horizons at SFFS Lead Teacher.”

Horizons at San Francisco Friends School is an equal opportunity employer.

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