Career Center

The Siena School in Silver Spring, Maryland, is seeking a full-time elementary teacher (grades 4-5) who is passionate about teaching and our mission of serving bright children with dyslexia and similar language-based learning differences. The position is for the 2022-23 school year. We are looking for a highly collaborative teacher committed to designing and adapting instruction to meet a range of student learning needs and interests. Siena relies heavily on multisensory and differentiated instruction.

The Siena School is one of the nation’s leading independent schools serving bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thesienaschool.org). In response to ongoing enrollment growth and significant parent and professional interest, Siena opened a second campus in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, for grades 3-8 and will add grades through high school in the future.

At The Siena School, teachers encourage students' creative expression, incorporate student interest and passions, and develop critical thinking by creating a vibrant, student-centered environment that supports the learning and personal growth of each student. Siena faculty and staff work collaboratively with students, parents, and professionals to create a nurturing but rigorous learning environment. We know our children well and engage them on a daily basis in exciting, intellectual dialogue. Through individualized, multisensory instruction, students develop critical thinking skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners. A positive learning experience inspires our students to have confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Siena teachers work with students in small classes of 10:1 and address individual needs through both small-group and individualized instruction. They are skillful in establishing a strong relationship with students and creating learning opportunities that motivate and inspire students to develop all aspects of their learning needs.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org. No phone inquiries, please.

Please note that COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement to work at The Siena School.

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching in-person at the school and via Zoom in synchronous and asynchronous models if needed
• Sharing teaching responsibilities with other teachers in the classroom
• Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs  
• Creating lesson plans and adapting curriculum to teach Language Arts, math, social studies, and science
• Regular and consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues

Qualifications:

• Master's/advanced degree (preferred) and 2-5 years of classroom experience (preferred), or Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education.
• Strong language skills and a desire to make a difference for students whose intellect is ahead of their literacy skills.
• Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences are essential.
• Comfort level with elementary-age children, student-advocacy practices, and inquiry-based instruction.
• Training or classroom experience with elementary grades, differentiation, and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia.
• Training in multisensory, structured language approaches is desirable (but not required) since Siena has targeted and ongoing professional development in reading instruction/learning differences.
• Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Citizenship, residency, or work Visa in the United States is required.