Lower School Associate Teacher

Open Window School; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Health Insurance

Health Reimbursement Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Account

Life and AD&D Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Open Window School in Bellevue, WA seeks a Lower School Associate Teacher to join a collaborative teaching team. You will support classroom instruction and student learning, working alongside Lead Teacher to deliver developmentally responsive instruction.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s in education and have experience with elementary students, a commitment to social-emotional learning, and a passion for gifted education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field.
• Experience supporting elementary students.
• Understanding of social-emotional learning in lower school years.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a teaching team.
• Commitment to reliability and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Support design and delivery of engaging, developmentally responsive instruction with Lead Teacher.
• Work with students in small groups and one-on-one to reinforce learning.
• Differentiate learning experiences to meet varied readiness levels.
• Observe progress and contribute insights for instructional planning and student growth.
• Cultivate a classroom community grounded in belonging, respect, and curiosity.
• Prepare instructional materials and classroom experiences for an organized learning environment.
• Contribute to grade-level collaboration, faculty meetings, and school events.
• Provide classroom continuity during Lead Teacher absences.
• Supervise recess and lunch, supporting student well-being across settings.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning.

Skills

Elementary classroom support

Team collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Gifted education interest

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Job description

Mission

Open Window School nurtures and inspires students of high intellectual potential.

Mission

Open Window School nurtures and inspires students of high intellectual potential.

Overview

Open Window School (K-8, coed, 360 student day school) is seeking candidates for its Lower School Associate Teacher position. Open Window is dedicated to serving gifted students. With a strong commitment to social-emotional learning, these exceptional young people are nurtured and inspired in both their academic and personal growth. Open Window students have true enthusiasm for deep and accelerated learning, with an emphasis on project-based initiatives with real world application. Innovation and risk taking are encouraged within a supportive environment. Open Window School graduates are empathetic, academically well-prepared, innovative problem solvers, purposeful global citizens with a commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a place where it is cool to be smart and the expectation is that our students will graduate and make a difference in high school and beyond. Located on a beautiful campus in Bellevue, Washington, 15 miles from the center of downtown Seattle, Open Window benefits from its unique location; it is surrounded by woods right in the middle of one of the fastest growing metro populations in the country. The school enjoys a robust and growing pipeline of students which will continue to drive demand for the type of rich educational experience guided by Open Window’s mission and values.

Position Overview

Open Window School seeks a Lower School Associate Teacher who will play an integral role in supporting classroom instruction and student learning within a collaborative teaching team. This position is ideal for an educator who values partnership, brings strong initiative, and is eager to contribute meaningfully to a responsive classroom environment. Associate Teachers are respected professionals whose work strengthens the student experience and supports the shared responsibilities of the classroom.

Major Areas Of Responsibility/Specific Duties

• Partner with the Lead Teacher to support the design and delivery of engaging, developmentally responsive instruction.
• Work with students in small groups and one-on-one to reinforce learning, build foundational skills, and promote student confidence.
• Provide instructional support across subject areas, helping to differentiate learning experiences to meet varied readiness levels.
• Observe student progress and contribute insights that support instructional planning and student growth.
• Help cultivate a classroom community grounded in belonging, respect, and curiosity.
• Support the preparation of instructional materials and classroom experiences that contribute to an organized and effective learning environment.
• Demonstrate initiative in responding to classroom needs while maintaining flexibility in a dynamic school setting.
• Communicate professionally with colleagues and families, contributing to a collaborative partnership that supports students.
• Participate actively in grade-level collaboration, faculty meetings, and school events.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning.
• Provide classroom continuity during Lead Teacher absences.
• Perform supervisory duties such as recess and lunch coverage while supporting student well-being across settings.

Qualifications

Qualities & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field.
• Experience supporting students in an elementary setting, preferably within a classroom environment.
• Understanding of child development and the role of social-emotional learning in the lower school years.
• Ability to work collaboratively and professionally within a teaching team, contributing thoughtfully to classroom practice and shared responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with colleagues and families.
• Alignment with Open Window School’s mission and commitment to fostering a community that is kind, inclusive, respectful, and responsible.
• Interest in working with intellectually gifted students and supporting a range of learning profiles.
• Ability to actively engage in a lower school environment, including working at floor level, navigating child-sized furniture, and supervising students indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Consistent attendance and reliability, contributing to a stable and supportive classroom experience for students.

Position Details

Manager: Assistant Head of School and Director of Lower School

Compensation: $47,017 per year

Position Classification: Exempt, Full Time (10-month school year), benefit eligible

Hours: 8am - 4pm, 5pm on Tuesdays. Occasional weekend and evening work required.

Benefits Include

• Paid Sick leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid 100% for employee only coverage)
• Employer paid Health Reimbursement Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Account, Pre-tax & Roth Options (eligible for employer contribution and employer match after one year of service).
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional development and training opportunities

Open Window School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, or other status legally protected by local, state, or federal law.