Position Title
Elementary Teacher (1 position, 5th Grade)
Reports To
Principal / Head of School / VP of Instruction
Employment Status
Full-Time, Exempt
Job Summary and Core Philosophy
The K-5 elementary teacher is a dynamic, student-centered educator responsible for designing and facilitating rigorous, standards-aligned learning experiences rooted in the Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework. This role is fundamental in cultivating foundational literacy and numeracy skills while instilling the core Hawaiian values of Pono (integrity), Kuleana (responsibility), and Aloha (kindness). The teacher serves as the primary SEL instructor, modeling and explicitly teaching students the skills for social-emotional growth and intellectual independence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
I. Instruction and Project-Based Learning (PBL)
- PBL Design & Facilitation: Design and execute high-quality, authentic projects aligned with PBLWorks Gold Standard teaching practices. This includes crafting driving questions, facilitating critique and revision, and ensuring a public audience for student work.
- Foundational Skills Mastery: Deliver differentiated, explicit instruction in core subjects (Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science) to ensure all K-5 students meet or exceed grade-level standards.
- Curriculum Development: Collaborate with grade-level and cross-grade teams to map state standards to integrated PBL units, ensuring authentic connections across disciplines.
- Assessment & Data Use: Collect and analyze formative and summative data to inform instructional decisions, tailor interventions, and track student growth toward unit and project outcomes. Use the .
II. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Classroom Culture
- SEL Implementation: Serve as the front-line implementer of the Healthy Habits Compass curriculum, leading daily lessons and activities that focus on Pillar 2 (Mental & Emotional Well-being) and Pillar 3 (Community Care).
- Accountability & Intervention: Manage classroom behavior by focusing on instruction and repair rather than just compliance. This includes:
- Proactively teaching replacement behaviors (as defined by the K-8 Behavior Support Plan – BSP).
- Utilizing “Teaching with Love and Logic” (Fay and Fay) strategies to empower students to take ownership (Kuleana) of their choices and the resulting consequences.
- Using the AOK Behavior Referral Form consistently and objectively for major incidents only.
- Building Community: Create a safe, inclusive, and emotionally supportive classroom environment where every student feels a strong sense of Aloha (belonging).
III. Cultural Integration and Professionalism
- Hawaiian Values: Model and integrate the school’s core Hawaiian values (Aloha, Pono, Kuleana) into daily classroom procedures, conflict resolution, and instructional expectations.
- Professional Growth: Actively participate in all scheduled Professional Development (PD), including training on the PBL framework, SEL strategies, and cultural practices.
- Parent Communication: Maintain clear, consistent, and proactive communication with families regarding academic progress, project updates, and behavior, fostering a strong Ohana (family) partnership.
Qualifications, Education, and Certification
- Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field.
- Possession of or eligibility for appropriate state teaching certification (K-5 or equivalent).
Required Experience and Skills
- Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating Project-Based Learning (PBL) units.
- A philosophical commitment to positive behavior support, growth mindset, and student-centered learning.
- Familiarity with foundational literacy and numeracy instructional strategies (e.g., phonics, number sense).
- Strong collaborative skills and the ability to work effectively on grade-level and cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a PBL or inquiry-based school setting.
- Familiarity with the history, culture, and values of Hawai‘i and their practical application in the classroom.
- Experience utilizing SEL curricula or behavior tracking systems.
Pay: $53,000.00 – $72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
