Job Posting -- Teaching Position
Oak and Orca Bioregional School
Victoria. B.C., V8T 3N1
(250)-383-6609
yj383@victoria.tc.ca
Applications currently being accepted. Position will be filled when appropriate candidate is found.
Potential applicants are welcome to send a resume and completed application form to the school by mail or in person. The ideal candidate will be familiar with our programs and educational philosophies. Ideally, this involves spending time at the school before the interview process. Please call Kara at (250) 383-6609 after you have read all of our web information.
Details
Term: Permanent full-time position, with a four month probationary period.
Salary: CERTIFIED $30,000 per year / NON-CERTIFIED $20,000 per school year
Specifics: Year round position with significant time-off in summer
Positions Open for 2008/2009
Full-time Teacher with Concentration on Primary Grades
All Oak and Orca Teachers work as part of a team to provide a well rounded, child-centred education to a group of students in Kindergarten through grade 8. While working within a team to create a positive environment for the children, this teacher has the primary responsibility for creating and maintaining an Open Classroom environment designed for children aged 4 through 8. In addition, the teacher would offer Workshops to all the children (aged 4 through 14) in certain areas. Key responsibilities include creating Learning Centres and child-directed/hands-on activities for all subject areas, both to support the Open Classroom environment and the Workshops taught. This Teacher is also responsible for teaching a muti-age math group covering at least 2 grades of math curriculum, by creating and supporting math choices based on a hands-on, manipulative based, problem solving approach. Assessment and reporting responsibilities are concentrated on the primary grades, but are also present for the Workshops offered. This Teacher will conference with the primary students to support them in working towards a well-rounded, appropriately challenging, individualized learning program.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with children in a student-led learning environment. The teacher will work cooperatively with a team to deliver a self-directed curriculum and create positive learning opportunities for children aged 4-12. A positive environment involves creating and continuing to provide a supportive, safe learning space that includes learning stations and help-yourself materials that can be used by the children as they choose to do so, as well as flexible child-led routines. The candidate must be prepared to cope with the demands of meeting children's needs for autonomy and choice as well as group needs for routine and organization. Compassionate communication must be used with the children. (see Marshall Rosenburg's 'Non-Violent Communication.')
GENERAL TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION
- Design, create and maintain an environment in which students learn about what interests them, and to help them place this in a bioregional context.
- Help students learn how to learn and be self-directed.
- Develop and lead workshops and educational activities designed to help students learn the outcomes from the B.C. Curriculum and our own Bioregional Curriculum; and ensure that the B.C. Curriculum is taught within a bioregional context.
- Contribute to the development of the Bioregional Curriculum.
- Ensure student progress in all curriculum areas, when the student is ready and at the student's own pace.
- Maintain health and safety standards.
- Manage student interactions in accordance with school culture/ethics/policies.
- Interact with parents in a way that supports the school community and the particular student. To provide parents with information both written and oral, about their child's progress and achievements.
- Basic maintenance of school facilities, i.e. setup of rooms, cleanup after activities, etc.
- Basic cleaning duties, i.e. vacuuming, washing tables, dusting, etc.
- Provide peer supervision for other teachers.
- Supervise students during free time, lunch, etc.
- Ensure that student records are up to date, complete and reflect the progress of the student at school.
- Assist with school fundraising, intake and other projects.
- Use a sustainable mode of transportation to come to work, cycling is ideal, alternately walking or busing would be acceptable.
In addition, all staff at Oak and Orca are expected to role model a bioregional lifestyle including ecological and social responsibility, and are required to observe the Bioregional Educational Association Constitution.
The ideal candidate for a teaching positions will possess:
- elementary teaching degree and experience with 4 - 12 year olds
- respectful attitude towards children
- understanding of open, self-directed, wholistic learning and mentoring
- understanding of bioregionalism and why it's important
- respect for the importance of practical ecological literacy
- administrative, clerical and organizational abilities
- excellent cooperative and communication skills
- initiative and enthusiasm
- willingness to be mentored in the philosophy of the school
- ability to create and maintain a safe, engaging learning environment
- ability to teach B.C. Curriculum within a bioregional context, to a multi-aged group
- strong ability as a cyclist, able to pull loads as well as cycle distances
Skills and knowledge in the following areas would be an asset:
- Creative arts (music, drama, movement, story-telling, visual arts)
- Languages (French, Spanish, Coast Salish, Sign Language)
- First Nations Perspectives
- Maths and Sciences
- Wilderness Skills (tracking, awareness, survival)
- Healing arts, Organic farming, Native plants
- Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Consensus Decision Making
Click here for Teacher Application Form.
Application Process: -- please read carefully:
1. Read website (oak-and-orca.ca) to gain familiarity with alternative teaching practices and structure.
2. Submit Teacher Application Form with resume to:
Personnel Committee
2738 Higgins Street
Victoria, BC V8T 3N1
E-mail applications will not be considered.
3. Short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
4. The interview questions are posted here. Candidates will be expected to come fully prepared, with a good understanding of teaching, learning and family participation at the school. It is highly recommended that you fully research all links on our website oakandorca.ca, to prepare for this interview.
5. Interviews will be held in two parts:
Part I: 45 min Interview. Candidates will be held to the 45 minutes, including response to all of the prepared questions and, time permitting, their own questions about the job.
Part ii: Observation. A session with a small group of children. Candidates will be required to prepare and implement a one hour long activity for a multiage group.
6. Final selection will be based on feedback from children and parents in addition to the interview and observation by the Personnel Committee. References will be contacted prior to a position being offered.
Important Comments:
* PLEASE DO NOT SEND EMAIL APPLICATIONS
** YOU MUST SEE OUR WEBSITE BEFORE YOU APPLY
Please visit our website to gain an understanding of the different way we teach. This is not a normal teaching job! You must show your dedication to alternative teaching methods and to a sustainable lifestyle.
***AN APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED TO QUALIFY FOR THIS JOB
Click here for Teacher Application Form
Click here for Interview Questions