Project Learn School (PLS) is looking for a full-time elementary level (K-5) teacher, beginning August 1, 2019.  Project Learn School is a small, cooperative school run collectively by teachers and parents on the basis of consensus. We are looking for individuals excited about working with children and about joining our dynamic and collaborative educational community.
 
We believe strongly in the benefits of mixed-age classroom groups. This means each year our classroom groupings change, to reflect the mix of children we are teaching. The ideal candidate would be open to working with mixed-age primary grades groups, for example, a classroom of kindergarten and 1st graders or 3rd and 4th graders.
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Teaching Responsibilities
 
The group teacher facilitates the academic, personal, emotional, and social development of the students.  He/she/they must also strive to create a socially vibrant and intellectually curious community in the class as a whole.
 
Project Learn School is a school that respects its teachers as experts in their fields and gives them autonomy to make their own choices about curriculum. The group teacher is responsible for creating and implementing project-based curriculum that includes Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, Outdoor Education, and Physical Movement. At the same time, the teaching staff is collaborative. In particular, the primary grades teachers work closely with each other, coordinating thematic curricula and collaborating on projects. The group teacher also will be supported by other teachers who lead Art, Music, and Spanish.
 
PLS is an intimate school, and the teacher’s work will not be confined to his or her own group. Special events allow the teacher the opportunity to teach other age groups in the school. The teacher will work with the rest of the staff to care for all students in our community. PLS is also highly diverse, racially and socioeconomically. Applicants should feel comfortable working with diverse student populations and with children of all ages.
 
PLS welcomes the interests and talents of its community members into the classroom. We seek teachers eager to share their passions with the students. Candidates with a background in outdoor education, music, handcrafts, conflict resolution, cooking, and making/building would be particular assets to our community.
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Forest School
 
PLS is committed to weekly outdoor experiences, which we call Forest School, now in its fourth year. The children spend every Wednesday in a outdoor location. The ideal candidate is willing to support and grow the existing program with the mentorship of the other staff.
 
Co-op Responsibilities
 
Project Learn School has a cooperative governance structure. All aspects of the school program are run collectively by the teachers and parents. Attendance at a weekly staff meeting is required. In addition, teachers attend a monthly “Town Meeting” with the full staff-parent body. After their first year, teachers contribute their interests and skills to one of PLS’s various committees (e.g. Marketing, Personnel, Development, etc.).
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Project Learn School Mission Statement
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Project Learn School is an independent cooperative school, serving about 60 students in grades K-8.  Situated in the historic Philadelphia neighborhood of Mt. Airy, PLS maximizes the many resources available in a dynamic urban setting.  At Project Learn School, teachers, students and parents work together to create a progressive and humanistic community that promotes mutual respect, involvement and curiosity.
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Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and statement of educational philosophy to personnel@projectlearnschool.org or Project Learn School, 6525 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
 
It is the policy of Project Learn School to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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