Lower School Teaching Residency

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Lower School Division Director and Auxiliary Programs Director

Salary: $28.00-30.00 per hour, plus full benefits

Anticipated start date: August 2026

Location: All positions are in person

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (40 hours per week)

Hours include workshop days but does not include all-school holidays/vacation breaks when the teaching faculty does not report with the exception of Mustang Vacation Program time.Teaching Assistants are expected to support Mustang Vacation Program for one week of winter and spring breaks for additional compensation.

Teaching Assistants are expected to participate in Lower School Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.

School Overview

Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good.

We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world.

Position Overview

The Lower School Teaching Residency is designed to be a one to three year introduction to independent school teaching for educators new to the field. This position offers partnership with an experienced teacher to deliver a student-centered educational program. It is specifically designed to provide a developing educator the opportunity to expand curriculum knowledge and instructional proficiencies through a structured mentorship model.

Day to day, this position will serve as a vital partner in translating Breck’s research-to-practice philosophy into a classroom reality. This person will grow towards leading small group instruction while providing consistent support to teachers and classrooms in fostering a positive climate in the classroom and community.

Beyond the core school day, the Teaching Residency provides leadership for the Early Childhood Extended Day program, ensuring a seamless continuation of inquiry-based and high quality programming into the afternoon hours.

Responsibilities

• Planning and Instruction
  • Collaborates with the assigned teaching team to lead daily learning experiences; manages resources and supervises students in outdoor and indoor classroom settings.
  • Partners with the lead teacher to differentiate literacy and math lessons to meet the diverse developmental readiness of early childhood learners.
  • Leads the curation of science notebooks, floor journal projects and Project- Based Learning, using observation to inform instruction and make student learning visible.
  • Assists in the design and delivery of developmentally appropriate instruction for a variety of learners.
• Classroom Environment
  • Assists in designing inside and outside learning spaces that naturally invite students to ask questions, explore the world, and engage deeply with the experiential and outdoor learning.
  • Establishes strong, responsive relationships with students, modeling respectful behavior and fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Demonstrates the ability to step into a lead teaching role when classroom teachers are absent or to support coverage needs across the Lower School.
  • Manages and leads the Early Childhood extended day environment, fostering a space that promotes respect, wonder, and social-emotional development.
• Communication
  • Develops a collaborative relationship with the assigned teaching team through initiative, honesty, and open communication.
  • Commit to instructional coaching and feedback around growth and development.
  • Partners closely with Extended Day leadership and programming staff to align goals and ensure operational excellence.
  • Communicates student progress and documentation of learning projects in a timely and meaningful way.
  • Participates in community milestones, including Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.
• Professional Responsibility
  • Actively participates in faculty development to broaden curricular knowledge through reading, research, and reflective practice.
  • Engages in continued professional learning, reflection and goal setting using the Breck Instructional Framework.
  • Supports the mission, vision, and values of the school, with a firm commitment to equity, inclusion, and the dignity of every human being.
  • Serves as a team member who supports collaboration, exhibits flexibility, and follows through with responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required; degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood preferred.
• Experience working in an educational setting.
• Experience with nature-based pedagogy and/or Reggio Emilia philosophy preferred