The Renaissance Prep Multi-Age
Elementary (Grades 4, 5, & 6) and Grammar (Grades 7, 8 & 9) Educator Positions

The Renaissance Preparatory Academy in Myrtle Beach, SC seeks an experienced, dynamic, creative, unflappable, innovative thinker for full-time Elementary or Grammar class Teaching positions that joins us in launching this new school.  

We want a teacher who loves children and who is excited to become a part of a community that nurtures their social, emotional, ethical, physical, and academic growth.

 Renaissance Prep is an independent non-profit private school beginning to serve the Grand Strand from a central location in Myrtle Beach in July of 2017. It is designed to provide quality education to students capable of excelling in higher education.  A dynamic, diverse educational community that promotes curiosity and independence of mind, Renaissance Prep values each student’s voice, respects their family values, nurtures respectful relationships and empowers students to have a positive impact on their communities.
 
Job Duty Summary
The Elementary and Grammar Class teachers will work with a multi-age class of diverse learners and will be responsible for designing and assessing all aspects of curriculum — literacy, math, social studies, science — and integrating each with hands on experiences and projects.  As part of the Lower School team, each teacher will be a part of school-wide events and activities that are central to students’ experiences and to the school’s culture, including the honor codes, rotating three-year themes, research projects on common topics, other performances and presentations, and other school events and activities. The teacher and students will stay together during the whole time the student is in the associated grades.

Essential Job Functions
The ideal candidate will see this as an unusual and exciting opportunity to join a team of creative, skilled educators in a unique academic environment. The candidate will possess the leadership skills and confidence to take on the challenge of creating broad-based learning opportunities while providing a strong grounding in core, foundation areas.  The teacher will facilitate learning, not merely provide access to information.

The ideal candidate will:

• Invent and implement strong academic curricula and assessments in core subject areas, including math, science, literacy, art, social sciences, music, and physical education
• Develop a cohesive class culture and provide students with leadership opportunities in the school and broader community.
• Create curricula that are responsive to the interests and experiences of students while attuned to age-appropriate standards and competencies.
• Devise (and revise) course materials from year to year. There is no comprehensive pre-packaged curriculum to deliver although support for reading and math are identified across courses.  The teacher will be inspired by his or her own passions and knowledge, previous teaching experience, and an understanding grade level standards.
• Provide loving, strength-based, age-appropriate guidance for students’ social, emotional, physical, ethical, and intellectual growth.
• Be conversant with the history of standards in core subject areas and creatively align the program with high level and advanced standards as appropriate.
• Create varied opportunities for individualized learning, including scaffolding curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners. Skill in guided learning and the use of centers to develop independent student choice is desired.
• Be open and willing to work with educational professionals and Renaissance Prep administrators related to student evaluations and learning plans (ie LEAPs, confirmation testing, placement testing, grade consultations, etc)
• Model excitement about learning, being part of a team and recognizing the variety of strengths individuals bring to the table.
• Communicate frequently with diverse audiences — teachers, parents, administration and community organizations.
• Be part of the larger Renaissance Prep Community and support the institution and its mission.

Basic Qualifications
  The ideal candidate will be a creative, innovative, generous, humble, innovative thinker who can seamlessly integrate project- and field-based opportunities with core subject areas.  

  The candidate will possess a combination of the following qualities:

• Excellent social and leadership skills
• Passion for and knowledge about place- and project-based learning
• Unfazed (and even delighted) by the antics and challenges of elementary-aged students
• Methodical and organized
• Loving learning, the natural world, and community and desiring to instill that reverence in students
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Proven track record of strong student and community relations.
• Effective communicator — orally and in writing
• Fierce advocate for students’ need for play and movement
• Non-dogmatic in adherence to specific teaching pedagogies
• Committed to strengths-based approach to nurturing students’ social, emotional, physical, ethical, and intellectual growth
• Be competent, compassionate and creative in providing a positive and successful environment for all kinds of learners and temperaments.
• Flexible and able to juggle many balls at once
• Compassionate team player
• Experienced in alternative/progressive approaches (advancement based on competence) to education
• Excited to seek professional development and educational opportunities
• Be willing to work with and be mentored by the founding members and board of advisors.
• Able to acclimate easily to a new environment and help form school culture

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (ex: Education, Environmental Science, Math, English, History, etc) OR an equivalent experience; teaching certification from an English speaking program a plus
• Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in at least one of the identified grades; experience in multi-age/grade classes, independent schools and/or alternative learning environments (i.e. Montessori) a plus
• Technologically competent, including working knowledge of personal computers, office programs, google docs and tablet-based apps; Demonstrated skills in Music, Art, Sign Language, Drama, Dance, PE a plus
• Understanding of principles, philosophy and practices in child development and education.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to seek training to obtain a bus driving endorsement.

 
Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit (on floors and chairs), talk, listen, use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision and the ability to monitor multiple children in indoor and outdoor settings. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds (i.e., tables, chairs). May need to demonstrate movements to music so keeping time desired; may have to lead singing, so singing in tune is a plus.
  

For more information about The Renaissance Preparatory Academy, please visit the Renaissance Prep website:  http://www.renaissanceprepMB.org.

If you are interested in being considered for the job, attend a position open house or send your resume with a cover letter to renaissance.headmaster@gmailcom. Please indicate why you are interested in our position and why you should be the one hired. If you have a copy of your background check that is less than 3 years old, you may attach that too. Otherwise, you will need to pass a background check upon employment.