Posted: 04-May-26
Location: Portland, Oregon
Type: Full Time
Salary: Competitive
Preferred Education:
Oregon Episcopal School seeks a Kindergarten Teacher to begin duties in August 2026. Interested candidates should include a resume and cover letter addressed to David Lowell (Head of Lower School) when submitting materials.
OUR MISSION: Oregon Episcopal School educates students to realize their power for good as engaged citizens of the world.
ABOUT US: Founded in 1869, Oregon Episcopal School today occupies a wooded 59-acre campus where 880 students in Pre-K through 12th Grade share an excellent faculty, an inquiry-based curriculum, and a strong sense of community. The Upper School also includes a small boarding program of international and domestic students who live and learn together, enhancing the vibrancy of the school community.
OES seeks and values employees who continually grow in their work practices. Teaching faculty engage in the Characteristics of Effective Teaching for their ongoing learning in service of students. All other employees engage in professional growth specific to their responsibilities. Together, faculty and staff create a vibrant and diverse community of lifelong learners.
As an Episcopal school, we are rooted in a rhythm of gathering and reflection that values and respects all beliefs and cultures. As such, we educate toward a larger purpose – toward inclusion and respect, service and justice, and commitment beyond ourselves.
JOB SUMMARY: Oregon Episcopal School is seeking a skilled, passionate, and culturally competent individual to teach an inquiry-based, project-rich curriculum to kindergarten students in a positive, collaborative, child-centered environment. The teacher will provide classroom instruction following OES standards and methods. In addition to the qualifications detailed below, the successful kindergarten teacher candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, and the ability to support the OES mission, vision, and identity. This is a full-time, academic year position that starts in August 2026 and comes with a competitive salary and benefits package.
In addition to the qualifications detailed below, the successful teacher will promote the School’s commitment to attracting and retaining a highly talented faculty, possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to support the School’s educational mission. As professional educators in a dynamic living and learning environment, faculty are required to model professional behavior and observe appropriate adult-student boundaries to support a safe and supportive community for teaching and learning. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated gift for engaging students and strengthening the inclusive community of OES.
Faculty also participate in a variety of activities typical to the independent school environment, including advising, committee work, support of experiential education, and other duties as assigned. In addition to strength in their teaching discipline/area, faculty candidates who bring an interest in dormitory association (for the Upper School), or coaching (in the Middle and Upper Schools) are encouraged to apply for these additional opportunities for student engagement and are strongly considered.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Develop an intellectually challenging and creative program with developmentally appropriate and research-based practices.
- Implement an academically strong, inquiry-based and differentiated curriculum.
- Individualize instruction and educate the whole child.
- Be responsible for teaching in a self-contained classroom.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in a spirit of openness and cooperation.
- Use a variety of best curricular approaches including reading workshop, writing process, experiential learning, cycle of inquiry, and conceptual and manipulative-based math approaches.
- Utilize a variety of instructional and assessment methods. Integrate technology to support student learning.
- Develop familiarity with a framework for understanding students’ individual strengths, affinities, and challenges.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- BA/BS or equivalent in relevant discipline
- 3 years of classroom teaching experience
- Strong background in differentiated literacy, math instruction, and child development
- Previous team teaching experience
- Intercultural competence, ability to work with sensitivity and effectiveness with students, families, colleagues of diverse backgrounds and identities, demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion for people of all backgrounds and identities
- Digital literacy; intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Docs/Sheets and other web-based applications; database and cloud storage solutions, such as Google Drive, ability to troubleshoot common hardware and software issues, and good understanding of data privacy principles, particularly in safeguarding student data and personal information.
- Video-conferencing experience, as appropriate to job duties; flexibility and willingness to learn as digital tools evolve
- Ability to pass a criminal background check
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5 years of classroom teaching experience
- MA/MS or equivalent in relevant discipline
- Experience developing curriculum with clear learning outcomes, assessments, and means for feedback using a proficiency grading scale.
- Training through IMSE, OG, LETRS or a similar evidence-based reading approach
- Familiarity with social constructivism and playful inquiry
- Knowledge of Reggio-inspired schools, social constructivist teaching and learning and the integration of the arts
- Oregon Central Background Registry qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Verbal and written communication skills, ability to manage confidential information in compliance with the law and best practice
- Ability to consistently apply principles of equity and inclusion in day to day work and in the broader workplace community
- Organizational skills, ability to work well on teams
- Ability to grow professionally and to stay abreast of changes in the field of education
- Interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate and maintain collegial relations with colleagues
- Knowledge of educational technology; openness to innovation, willingness to learn, ability to integrate evolving IT into curriculum
- Organizational skills, ability to work well on teams
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to sit at computer and keyboard for moderate periods
- Mobility sufficient to move about the campus, to include climbing stairs
- Sight and hearing adequate to perform the duties of the job, ability to communicate clearly
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis
COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, academic year position that comes with a competitive salary based on degrees and experience, abundant professional development opportunities, and a generous benefits package.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- Visit www.oes.edu/careers to learn more about OES and the faculty experience.
- Candidates should include a resume and cover letter addressed to David Lowell (Head of Lower School)
Job descriptions are reviewed periodically and changes made based on the needs of the school and the position.
Oregon Episcopal School does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), disability, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristic or status.
