Middle School Full Year Substitute Spanish Teacher Grades 5-8

Mission

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

Overview

Open Window School (K-8, coed, 358 student day school) is seeking highly qualified candidates for its Middle School Substitute Spanish 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. Parents/guardians and students alike are quick to point out the strengths in the faculty and the close relationships that Open Window teachers forge with their students. Open Window students have true enthusiasm for deep and accelerated learning, with an emphasis on project-based initiatives with real world applications. 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, 10 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 full year Middle School Substitute Spanish Teacher for grades 5-6 for the 2025-26 school year. This role is a rare opportunity; we seek a positive, dynamic, innovative educator to join our team. Successful candidates will have a joyful commitment to the importance of proficiency based language learning in the middle grades, an understanding of and appreciation for middle school years, a proven track record of effective teaching, a plan for building and maintaining a strong language and culture program in the middle school, and a commitment to culturally responsive, anti-bias, and anti-racist teaching practices.

The Open Window School academic program is hands-on, and project based, with an emphasis on curriculum that is relevant and responsive. We focus on real work that matters and integrate the curriculum with other disciplines, day and overnight experiences offered every year.  A culminating experience for our 8th graders is a 10-day trip to Costa Rica focused on sustainable agriculture and includes a 3-day homestay with a Costa Rican family. All of these experiences are included in tuition and are key to our authentic learning program. Our graduates are critical thinkers, active doers and compassionate community members with a bias for change in the world.

This role also includes serving as an advisor and a member of a grade-level team and a language department team. Other responsibilities include participation in weekly department and faculty meetings and attendance at occasional evening, weekend, and overnight activities.  All teachers in middle school actively participate in student clubs, leadership groups and other community building activities as an integral part of our middle school culture.

 

Major Areas of Responsibility/Specific Duties:

·        Develop and teach inspiring and relevant Spanish lessons with a focus on engaging students in building proficiency in the target language.

·        Assessing students using multiple measures and communicating proactively with students and families about student progress.

·        Maintaining curriculum maps and course documentation.

·        Dedication to learning and staying current with field studies and innovation in content area, DEIB work and gifted education.

·        Serving as an advisor to Middle School Students.

·        Collaborating and meeting with grade level and department teams.

·        Participating in co-curricular school activities and overnight trips.

·        Attend weekly faculty meetings and other required meetings and obligations.

·        Other school-related responsibilities as assigned.

 

Skills:

·        Advanced proficiency in Spanish.

·        Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

·        Teaching certificate preferred.

·        Experience in gifted education is a plus.

·        Experience with project-based learning is a plus.

·        Able to differentiate for varied levels and learning styles.

·        Able to communicate proactively and professionally with students, colleagues, administrators, and parents/guardians.

 

Qualities:

·        Flexible and adaptable with an authentic love of Spanish.

·        Enjoys inspiring students with a creative and innovative project-based curriculum.

·        Passionate and knowledgeable about language learning through inquiry-driven learning.

·        Proficient in the use of current technology to enhance and deepen learning.

·        Dedication to the social-emotional development of students during middle school years.

·        Excellent cultural competency, willing and able to work with multiple groups of people from diverse backgrounds.

·        Warm, engaging demeanor towards families, colleagues, and public.

·        Supports our mission statement to nurture and inspire students of high intellectual potential.

Position Details:

Manager: Director of the Middle School

Compensation: $63,190 – $123,550 (based on education and experience)

Position Classification: Exempt, Full Time, Temporary; this position is benefit eligible

Hours: 8am – 4pm, Tuesdays until 5pm. This role requires some commitments outside these hours including but not limited to school events and Middle School Trips.

Benefits include:

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

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, your resume, and answers to the Diversity Commitment Questions below on our Career Opportunities website. Applicants must submit an answer to both of the following Diversity Commitment Questions:

How would you define diversity?
Describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in your current or prior job. If necessary, candidates can draw upon their experience in community organizations if professional experience is limited.

Please be prepared to provide 3 professional references and one personal reference if requested. If you are unable to apply online, you are welcome to email your resume, cover letter, and answers to the Diversity Commitment Questions to HR@ows.org.

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.