Long Term Sub - Lower Elementary Teacher

The Waverly School; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Waverly School in Pasadena, CA is seeking a long-term substitute teacher to cover a lead teacher for a lower elementary class (grades 1–2). The school emphasizes social justice education and progressive pedagogy, with strong collaboration among teachers, staff, and administrators.

The role requires designing and delivering a culturally responsive curriculum, using Responsive Classroom strategies, and maintaining ongoing communication with families.

Qualifications

• Ability to design a culturally responsive curriculum.
• Experience working with diverse learners.
• Strong collaboration with staff and families.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design curriculum aligned with the school mission.
• Use varied teaching strategies including hands-on learning.
• Lead parent/teacher conferences twice per year.
• Provide supervision during lunch, dismissal, and field trips.
• Collaborate with grade-level teachers and specialists.
• Support Associate Teacher's growth and development.
• Provide feedback to the Elementary School Director on strengths and growth.
• Monitor and document student progress throughout the year.

Skills

Positive attitude

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Culturally responsive instruction

Tools

Dimensions Math

Handwriting without Tears

Job description

The Waverly School is seeking a long term substitute teacher to cover for a lead teacher while on leave for a lower elementary school class, grades 1-2. Waverly is highly collaborative and the mission focuses on social justice education and progressive pedagogy. We have a highly collaborative school and there is an expectation to work closely with teachers, staff, and administrators. Teachers are expected to teach a diverse range of learners and people and to support students throughout the year.

Primary Responsibilities

• Plan and design curriculum through thematic approach that aligns with Waverly’s scope and sequence and as aligned with the school mission and philosophy.
• Use teaching strategies that include small and large group instruction, hands‑on experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, integrated learning.
• Use Responsive Classroom or Culturally Responsive Teaching pedagogy and techniques to set‑up, run and develop a consistent, caring classroom environment.
• Teach and maintain proficiency in subject specific programs used by the school such as Dimensions Math and Handwriting without Tears.
• Provide supervision of students outside the classroom in collaboration with teaching partner (associate) – i.e. lunch periods, dismissal, walking to and from other campuses, including Farm.
• Collaboration with grade‑level/grade‑proximal teachers, specialists, and learning support educators.
• Collaborate with and support the Associate Teacher in their growth and development.
• Provide the Elementary School Director with feedback on the Associate’s strengths and areas of growth.
• Use formative and summative assessment tools to meet student’s learning needs.
• Monitor and document student progress throughout the year and evaluate learning development.
• Build and maintain positive relationship with parents.
• Have regular communication with parents‑via email and newsletters.
• Lead parent/teacher conferences (or facilitate student led conferences when appropriate) twice per year.
• Write and edit semester reports that include radials/checklists and narrative writing and submit on‑time.
• Chaperone field trips (1st through 6th may have overnight trips), outdoor education trips, or other experiential learning opportunities
• Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings (after school) and occasional workshops, in‑service opportunities, and other training seminars.
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the employee and faculty handbooks.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Division Director or Head of School.

Other Requirements

• Positive attitude, excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Collaborate and communicate regularly with teachers, staff, parents, and students in a positive and constructive manner.
• Ability to design a culturally responsive curriculum that attends to the needs of diverse learners.
• Occasionally provide classroom coverage during free periods when outside substitutes are not available.
• Support admissions and other school events (i.e. parent education nights, back to school night and open house).
• Attend special events during evenings and weekends.
• Participate in the weekly Elementary School meeting and occasional cross‑divisional All School Meetings.
• Participate in August and June work weeks and student orientation weeks.
• Participate in end of year culmination ceremonies.
• Serve on at least one school committee (i.e. DEIJ, admissions, curriculum, technology, etc.)
• Strong commitment to anti‑racist and inclusive practices that support students of all backgrounds to succeed.

Physical Demands And Abilities

• Teacher is expected to work in person, on campus during school hours.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations, including the Farm.
• Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers.
• Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.
• Regularly move up and down stairs.
• Regularly sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, or squat to be at eye level with children.

Other Employment RequirementsCPR/AED/First Aid Certification Training

• Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools
• Annual Mandated Reporter and Harassment Prevention Training
• Adhere to school policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee and Faculty Handbooks

The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, military or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

• Job Classification: Non-Exempt, Temporary
• Estimated Timeframe: January - March 2027
• Salary range: $25.00 – $30.00 per hour
• Typical hours per week: 40
• Typical Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday

School Information

The Waverly School is a progressive, coeducational, college preparatory school in Pasadena, CA, serving students and their families from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1993, Waverly fosters lifelong learning in a child‑centered and intellectually challenging environment. With nearly 350 students, Waverly offers an exceptional faculty, thoughtful programs, and expressive students within three adjacent campuses. Its one‑acre farm is within walking distance. Waverly is economically diverse and culturally rich; our families live in many Los Angeles area neighborhoods. The Waverly School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of The Alliance, POCIS, and A Better Chance. The school is within walking distance from the Metro L (Gold) Line Del Mar station.