KairosPDX Teaching Opportunity: Elementary K-2 Teacher
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Elementary K-2 Teacher
We’re Hiring at KairosPDX!
KairosPDX is looking for a strong K–2 elementary teacher who is passionate about academic success, positive classroom culture, and serving Black and Brown leaders.
Newer educators are welcome—must be licensed and ready to jump in!
About KairosPDX:
KairosPDX is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families, and their communities. Through innovative pedagogy, strong community collaboration, and meaningful family partnerships, we work to close Portland’s persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in measurable and sustainable ways. Our mission is to eliminate racial disparities in academic achievement and opportunity by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders.
We advance this mission through a comprehensive organizational approach that includes: the PK–5 KairosPDX Learning Academy, Family Connections programming, the KairosPDX Training Academy, mental health supports, and local and legislative policy work. Learn more at www.kairospdx.org.
Working at KairosPDX:
KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, limited- duration Teacher Assistant- Early Learning position, starting immediately. Persons of color and members of other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
KairosPDX launched our flagship program, our Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland, in 2014. Our educational model is inquiry-based. Our curriculum approach is a culturally-responsive, workshop model that infuses mindfulness, restorative practice, studio art, STEM, music, and fitness in our teaching.
The Early Learning Teacher Assistant will support the Teachers to implement the curriculum in a safe, healthy, and nurturing classroom environment that supports each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development. The Assistant will perform activities that ensure the safety, involvement, and creativity of each individual in the group. The Assistant will work cooperatively with the teachers to discuss and aid in the implementation of daily plans in accordance with the current curriculum.
Overall Staff Responsibilities:
Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and families to honor the mission:
To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders.
Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions:
respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence, and service to community
Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction
Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative,
Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationships and service to others.
A multi-cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society.
Children must be supported in the context of their families,
Support multicultural practice and inquiry-based approaches that are:
Actively anti-racist – confronting bias in all of its forms,
Education for social justice – acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future,
Pervasive – Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization,
Personal –Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being,
Critical Pedagogy – Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions, and challenging assumptions,
Empowering – Providing children with the ego strength to challenge racist societal views,
Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Core Position Responsibilities:
Support the teaching team and support a group of preschool children
Individual and/or small group instruction for children
Support for the exchange of information between home and school ie: creation of flyers, conference reminders, etc.
Support teachers to communicate with families regarding student behavior, needs and growth
Perform activities that ensure the safety, engagement, and creativity of each individual in the group
Work cooperatively with the teachers to discuss and aid in the implementation of daily plans in accordance with the current curriculum
Nurture the social-emotional intelligence of children
Follow daily lesson plans for appropriate age teaching and learning, making adjustments when needed
Support set up, maintenance, and clean up of daily provocations
Partner with teachers to cultivate a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for students, families, and colleagues
Support classroom expectations and agreements
Guide children through the process of exploration, collaboration, and reflection
Comfortable getting outside and creating a positive light on outdoor education in all weather
Support the teachers in keeping an organized and orderly classroom that promotes creativity and learning
Support teachers to maintain weekly communication with parents through a weekly email
Cultivate positive relationships with families, teachers, state licensing authorities, community contacts, and corporate partners.
Participate in supervising students during recess and other non-classroom times, and
Assist in planning and supervising walking and local field trips.
Additional Responsibilities:
Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events
Participate in professional development to facilitate the growth of each student, staff members and the organization overall
Participate in continuous improvement practices, including observations, reflections, and collaborations
Perform other related duties as needed and assigned
Send your résumé + cover letter to careers@kairospdx.org with “K–2 Teacher Application” in the subject line. Know someone great? Please share and send them our way!
