Located just minutes from downtown Dallas in the vibrant Oak Cliff neighborhood, The Kessler School (TKS) is an early childhood through 8th grade independent school. Our Mission is to create a community of diverse learners that values individuality, cultivates a passion for learning, instills respect for others, and promotes leadership and community service. Our small community collaborates to equip our students with skills and values that help develop self-sufficient, high-achieving and joyful learners, and aspiring leaders.
Why work at TKS:
TKS is a culturally and socially diverse community, promoting ongoing learning and growth in and out of the classroom.
Professional development and mentorship are part of our ethos to encourage growth as educators and model lifelong learning.
Small class sizes (typically 8-16) mean more individualized attention for our students and more manageable workloads for our teachers.
Expectations–and support–are high, leading to excellence across campus.
Full health benefits and long-term investment opportunities are offered.
Extra holidays (2 weeks Spring Break; 1 full week Fall Break, in addition to typical school holidays) allow for rejuvenation and extended paid time off.
Lower School (PreK - 4th Grade) Teacher Job Description:
Work independently in a self-contained classroom while collaborating with peers to plan for and implement lessons and projects in math, science, language arts, and social studies;
Support SEL growth and develop executive functioning of all students, relying on Responsive Classroom models;
Lead/Co-lead grade-level community service initiatives (“TKS Cares”);
Communicate with parents/guardians regularly, including weekly newsletters;
Facilitate Project-Based Learning experiences for your students;
Analyze student data and assess student learning regularly—both formally and informally—and respond to student data with follow-up lessons that address gaps;
Provide students with frequent and accurate behavioral and academic feedback and evaluations based on the development of individualized goals for performance that are specific, measurable, data-based, and time-bound;
Identify students who are at risk and initiate effective intervention strategies.;
Manage student behavior and classroom routines to maximize learning time and create a positive classroom environment;
Celebrate student progress and effort each day.
TKS Faculty Essential Functions:
In addition to the grade-level specific expectations, all TKS teachers
actively participate in all professional development sessions, independently and as a team, including a week of in-service before school starts and on predetermined dates throughout the year and attend all-faculty meetings after school;
attend Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings 1-2 times per month and commit to improving instructional, culture-building and leadership skills;
incorporate feedback from colleagues, mentors, and administrators promptly;
implement all TKS routines and procedures with professionalism and fidelity;
complete all duties, posts, and tasks as assigned, including occasional evening and weekend activities; and
find ways to share your talents and skills with the community and engage beyond the classroom.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Kessler School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The school’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.
Qualifications:
Professional teaching experience in early childhood/lower school institutions;
Bachelor’s degree and solid academic record from an accredited college or university– advanced degree or equivalent experience is preferred but not required;
Excellent communication skills, written and spoken;
Ability to work collaboratively, with regular observation/feedback cycles;
Willingness to support the culture and institutional policies and procedures of the school;
Demonstrated success working in a high-performing private school setting preferred; and
A level of flexibility and a love of teaching young children.
The Kessler School is a student-centered, small private school that provides an UNLIMITED educational experience that nurtures and inspires students from early childhood through eighth grade. Located in the vibrant Sunset Hill neighborhood of Oak Cliff, just minutes from downtown Dallas, TKS is deeply ingrained in the local community and celebrates diversity and inclusivity. We welcome families from all cultural and religious backgrounds. Our mission is to create a community of diverse learners that values individuality, cultivates a passion for learning, instills respect for others, and promotes leadership and community service.
