Lower School (Elementary) Teacher K-5
Organization Name: Palm Valley School
About Our Organization: Since 1952, Palm Valley School (PVS) has stood alone as the Coachella Valley’s only non-religious, college-prep, independent school. With our commitment to developing leaders, Palm Valley School provides a toddler-12th grade nurturing environment in which highly motivated students flourish and find success in the classroom, at colleges and universities throughout the nation, and beyond. Palm Valley School is an exceptional learning community that educates, nurtures, and challenges students to achieve excellence and contribute to a global society.
Individual Attention to Students – Fostering personal connections and tailored learning experiences.
Inspiring Passionate Innovative Teaching – Encouraging curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning
Inquiry and Exploration – Promoting hands-on discovery and intellectual growth;
Academic, Artistic and Athletic Growth – Supporting a well-rounded education that nurtures the whole child.
Trust, Respect and Partnership – Building strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues
Diversity and Responsibility to Self and Others – Cultivating an inclusive environment that values ethical leadership and global awareness
Website: pvs.org
FLSA Status: Exempt
Prepared Date: 04-02-2025
Effective Date: 04-02-2025
Hiring Manager Job Title: Lower School Division Head
Job Function: Teacher
Employment Status: Full-time Regular
Primary Location: Rancho Mirage, CA
The Lower School Teacher is responsible for creating a nurturing, structured, and academically stimulating classroom environment that meets the diverse needs of young learners. Reporting to the Lower School Head, the teacher designs and implements an integrated curriculum that emphasizes foundational literacy, mathematical thinking, and social-emotional growth. This role serves as a child’s primary guide in their transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn," while building a strong partnership with families.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in education (M.Ed. or M.A.T.) is highly preferred.
Experience: 2–5 years of lead teaching experience in a primary grade level. Experience with specific independent school curricula is preferred..
Background: Proven experience in a co-teaching or collaborative team environment.
-
Science of Reading: Deep knowledge of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies.
-
Foundational Numeracy: Understanding of "ConcretePictorialAbstract" (CPA) sequences and how children develop number sense and spatial reasoning.
-
Child Development (Ages 511): Comprehensive knowledge of the cognitive, physical, and emotional milestones for the K5 age range.
-
SocialEmotional Learning (SEL) Frameworks: Knowledge of programs like Responsive Classroom, RULER, or Character Strong.
-
InquiryBased Learning: Understanding how to structure "ProjectBased Learning" (PBL) where student curiosity drives the curriculum.
-
Curriculum Standards: Familiarity with national or state standards and how they bridge from one grade level to the next.
-
Differentiation and SmallGroup Instruction: The ability to lead "reading groups" or "math centers" where different students are working on different levels of difficulty simultaneously.
-
Classroom Management: The skill of establishing routines, transitions, and "positive discipline" that creates a calm, productive learning environment.
-
Running Records and Assessment: Skill in using diagnostic tools (like Fountas and Pinnell or MAP testing) to track individual student growth and pivot instruction accordingly.
-
MultiSensory Teaching: The ability to present lessons using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (handson) methods to reach all learners.
-
Parent Partnership: The skill of translating classroom data into clear, empathetic, and actionable feedback for parents during conferences and in narrative reports.
-
Conflict Mediation: The ability to coach young children through social disagreements and playground conflicts in realtime.
-
High Energy and Physicality: This role requires significant physical stamina, including moving around the classroom, sitting on the floor, and supervising outdoor play in various weather conditions.
-
Collaborative Planning: Lower School teachers at independent schools usually work in "Grade Level Teams," requiring frequent meetings to ensure consistency across classrooms.
-
HighTouch Communication: Daily or weekly communication with parents is common, requiring a high level of responsiveness and professional warmth.
-
Environment Stewardship: Responsible for the "physical feel" of the classroom—creating a space that is organized, aesthetically pleasing, and conducive to learning.
-
Core Instruction: Deliver daily lessons in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies, often integrating themes across subjects.
-
Student Assessment: Conduct regular formal and informal assessments to ensure every child is meeting developmental benchmarks.
-
SocialEmotional Coaching: Facilitate "Morning Meetings" or "Circle Time" to build community and teach social skills.
-
Report Writing: Compose detailed narrative progress reports (often 23 times a year) that provide a holistic view of the child’s growth beyond just grades.
-
Supervision: Oversee transitions, lunch, and recess, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment during nonacademic times.
-
Admissions Support: Assist the Admissions team by evaluating prospective students during "shadow days" or "playgroup observations."
-
Google Suite
-
Blackbaud Academics
-
ClassDojo
-
Office Suite
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
Since 1952, Palm Valley School has stood alone as the Coachella Valley’s only non-religious, college-prep, independent school. With our commitment to excellence, Palm Valley Private School provides a Preschool through 12th grade nurturing environment in which highly motivated students flourish and find success in the classroom, at colleges and universities throughout the nation, and beyond. It is Palm Valley School's policy to practice equal opportunity without regard to an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin or ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information or other protected status in accordance with state and federal laws. This pertains to every policy, practice, rule, and regulation of the school.
