Lower School Teacher Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:

The role of our teachers will focus on instilling a love of learning. The Lower School teacher fosters children’s curiosity and innate desire to learn and understand the world around them. They create a secure environment to support learning and assist children with their growing independence. Teachers must be flexible, and creative, engaging, and establish freedom within structure. They will help children develop social skills and supervise them during meal times. Lower school teachers report to the Lower School Division Director.

The position’s preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in elementary education or a closely related field. A graduate degree and a track record of successful teaching at the lower school level are preferred

• Firm understanding of academic, social, and emotional development

• Innovative mindset with strong skills in communication, collaboration, project-based learning, and technology

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the Lower School Teacher position:

Lower School teachers will need to create a positive and vibrant learning environment for students. The preferred candidate will have a strong desire to see their craft improve and evolve. The ideal candidate will possess a growth mindset and share their expertise openly with others. Lower School teachers will be able to kneel, crouch, work at a table/desk, and transition to and from the floor to work with students and may be required to lift up to 20 pounds.

The Lower School teacher candidate will:

• Shape the lives of children by using best teaching practices

• Collaborate effectively with co-teacher and other colleagues

• Use variety, creativity, and flexibility to motivate and inspire young learners

• Teach reading, writing, math, science, and social studies

• Facilitate social-emotional learning using elements of Yale’s RULER program

• Facilitate the development of a positive class culture that supports learning and personal growth using elements of Responsive Classroom

• Collaborate with the Learning Support Coordinator to support students with unique and diverse learning needs

• Provide regular and specific student feedback and maintain assessment records

• Communicate with students and families regularly

• Know the developmental and academic abilities of one’s students

• Effectively coordinate with co-curricular teachers (PE, drama, art, music, Spanish, library, choir, and band)

• Perform various student supervisory duties.

• Adhere to the standards described in the Employee Handbook.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head or Associate Head of School.

SALARY RANGE: Starting at $50,000 annually based upon skills and experience, excellent benefits package.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to [email protected] and indicate the grade levels you are interested in as multiple positions are available.

St. Mary’s Academy, located in Englewood, Colorado is Metro Denver’s premier Catholic, Independent school offering rigorous academics in its co-ed PreK-Grade 8, and all-girls High School. SMA offers a safe, yet innovative program that embraces all student backgrounds, and fosters character and moral development from Pre-Kindergarten to graduation. 

SMA is a close community where faculty and staff serve as role models for the students with a mission to foster excellence in each child through academic achievement, spiritual development and service. The qualities of a strong work ethic, desire for personal growth, and commitment to life-long learning that St. Mary’s Academy expects of students is likewise an expectation for faculty and staff. Each day, too, is an opportunity to live the Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect. 

SMA is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff dedicated to their profession and the well-being and life of the St. Mary’s Academy community. St. Mary's Academy does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, sex, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, sexual orientation or religion. This policy applies to all areas of student concerns: educational policies, admission policies (historically high school admission is open to women only), scholarship, and grant-in-aid programs, athletic and other school-administered programs as well as employee/personnel concerns. St. Mary's Academy is an equal-opportunity employer.

Job Description: 

St. Mary’s Academy is seeking a High School Theology Teacher. This full-time, exempt position begins in August 2026 and reports to the high school principal. The ideal candidate is an experienced educator with a degree in Theology from a Catholic university and a deep understanding of Catholic teachings. They are an active participant in a parish community and are passionate about engaging high school students in meaningful discussions about faith, ethics, and moral reasoning. Committed to fostering an inclusive and intellectually stimulating learning environment, they inspire students to think critically about theological concepts and their relevance in today’s world while encouraging respect for diverse traditions and viewpoints. The candidate should also demonstrate a strong ability to collaborate, team-teach, and actively participate in departmental planning to create a dynamic and cohesive curriculum. 

Through regular conversations with their division principal and colleagues, St. Mary’s Academy teachers learn and understand their job responsibilities. It has been a hallmark of teachers throughout the history of SMA that their work goes beyond the classroom and includes not only the academic preparation of the student, but also the emotional, social and spiritual development of students. Additionally, teachers at St. Mary’s Academy are enthusiastic and energetic and they find support for new ideas. This enthusiasm is encouraged and applauded at SMA. Additionally, faculty members at St. Mary’s Academy are a supportive group. One does not have to look far to find a helping hand.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences; 

• Develop schemes of work and lesson plans; 

• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities; 

• Prepare the classroom for class activities; 

• Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities;

• Identify and select different instructional resources and methods to meet students’ varying needs;

• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment; 

• Use relevant technology to support instruction; 

• Observe and evaluate student’s performance and development; 

• Assign and grade class work, homework, tests and assignments; 

• Provide appropriate and timely feedback on work; 

• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students; 

• Maintain accurate and complete records of students’ progress and development; 

• Prepare required reports on students and activities; 

• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing appropriate rules and procedures; 

• Perform certain pastoral duties including student support, counseling students with academic problems and providing student encouragement; 

• Participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities such as social events, sporting events, clubs, overnight trips, community service and other school community activities; 

• Participate in department and school meetings, parent meetings; 

• Communicate regularly with students, colleagues and parents regarding student progress and student needs; 

• Keep updated with developments in subject area, teaching resources and methods and make relevant changes to instructional plans and activities; 

• Other tasks as assigned; 

• Adhere to and support the mission of St. Mary’s Academy. 

All teachers are also responsible for a variety of duties and tasks throughout the day; the principal will make these assignments and share them with faculty. These tasks and assignments change as needs of the community are determined.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education and qualifications should include the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Theology from a Catholic university 

• Master’s degree or teaching certification preferred 

• 1-2 years of Theology teaching experience 

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the capacity to teach scripture and world religions 

• Experience teaching critical reading and analytical writing skills

• Ability to connect and communicate effectively with students 

• A joyful, flexible, communicative teacher with a willingness to teach in an interdisciplinary, collaborative classroom 

• Willingness to build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues and parents 

• A sense of resonance with the St. Mary’s Academy mission

Salary:

The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $54,000.00 - $68,000.00.

Benefits:

At St. Mary's Academy, we believe that exceptional educators deserve exceptional support. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your well-being and professional growth. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, and a retirement plan with a match after one year of employment to help you secure your future. Additionally, we provide tuition remission for your family and robust opportunities for professional development to help you continue growing in your career. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and statement of educational philosophy to Michelle Hayden, at [email protected]. No calls, please.

ABOUT ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

St. Anne’s Episcopal School is a vibrant, independent, preschool-8th grade co-educational school located in the heart of the Denver metro area, serving approximately 450 students. Our school culture fosters a sense of belonging and community, builds character, and pursues academic scholarship, all rooted in our values of curiosity, humility, faith, compassion, and service. We are a supportive community that provides a program where students can thrive academically, athletically, spiritually, artistically, emotionally, and socially.   We build character and integrity upon a spiritual, moral, and ethical foundation and strive to foster the development of people who make significant and lasting contributions to society.

MISSION

Grounded in our founding values, we cultivate a community of curious and compassionate learners who are inspired to serve and enrich our world.

VALUES

Community, Curiosity, Faith, Compassion, Humility

POSITION DESCRIPTION

St. Anne’s Episcopal School is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time upper elementary and middle school  music  teacher 2026-2027 school year. 

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Teach 4th-8th Grade Music classes

• Put on culminating performances for certain school events

• Put on performances for 6th-8th at the end of each trimester

• Conduct Lower School Band and Middle School Band

• Advisory of one MS group of 8-10 students

• Supervise study hall and other duties as assigned, possibly including Intramurals or Clubs

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree.

• 2+ years experience in music or related field

• Ability to collaborate with teammates

• Facility with Google Suite

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

• Practice classroom management that centers the social-emotional needs of children and embodies a joyful classroom environment

• Incorporate lens of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the curriculum in both planning and delivery

• Support classroom neurodiversity and implement accommodations as necessary

• Implement effective teaching strategies such as workshop model, conferring, specific feedback, differentiation, and incorporation of student choice and voice

• Engage actively with assessment practices to inform class-wide instruction and individual student growth in concert with learning specialists

• Communicate effectively with families about student progress through both informal touchpoints as well as formal opportunities (report cards and conferences)

• Plan thoughtfully with the teaching or advisory team to ensure horizontal and vertical consistency

• Utilize technology intentionally and demonstrate an interest in learning about new tools 

• Nurture meaningful relationships with students

• Actively seek out professional development opportunities

• Contribute to community-wide needs and other duties as assigned

• Participate in outdoor education and experiential trips

• Participate in meetings for student support, department, division, and all school 

St. Anne’s Episcopal School is committed to creating a supportive learning environment where all individuals are valued for their unique contributions and are able to achieve their highest potential. We strongly believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is the best learning environment for our students and prepares them to live, work, and thrive in an increasingly global and multicultural community. We reject all prejudice, particularly those based on race, national and ethnic origin, religion, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and physical characteristics.

St. Anne’s believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender or gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, ancestry, 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, promotional opportunities, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

SALARY RANGE & BENEFITS 

$52,000 - $80,000 Annually  (Commensurate with Experience)

St. Anne’s offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage, 403(b) retirement inclusion, long-term disability, life insurance and free lunch.

Interested candidates can send their cover letter, resume, Philosophy of Education statement, and list of references to Rene Reynolds, Director of Human Resources, at [email protected].