Full Time

First Grade Teacher: Our Lady of the Elms

First Grade Teacher Job Description

Our Lady of the Elms School, a private Catholic school rooted in the Dominican tradition, educates girls and young women to live their lives boldly with purpose, confidence, kindness, resilience, justice and faith.

As the only all-girls, faith-based K–12 school in Summit County, the Elms is seeking a full-time, exempt,1st Grade Teacher for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning in August 2026. The 1st Grade Teacher will work under the supervision of the Principal and be supported by a Team Lead.

The ideal candidate will foster a nurturing, academically rigorous, and faith-filled classroom environment where young learners can thrive intellectually, socially, spiritually, and emotionally.

As a primary educator, you will guide students through pivotal milestones in literacy, numeracy, and spiritual formation, keeping the school’s mission and Dominican identity at the heart of all instruction.

Major Responsibilities

• Instructional Planning, Delivery & Classroom Management:
• Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with the Diocese of Cleveland graded course of study and State of Ohio standards
• Utilize a variety of instructional strategies including hands-on learning, phonics-based reading instruction, and math manipulatives to accommodate diverse learning styles and ensure learning for every student
• Teach the approved curriculum with high fidelity and instructional consistency to support uniform learning outcomes across the grade level using innovative AI frameworks, Savaas, Lexia, IXL, and Acadience
• Establish and maintain a positive, well-structured, and nurturing classroom management system based on mutual respect and kindness
• Prepare and submit well-structured, precise lesson plans on a weekly basis, effectively mapping out daily instructional objectives and activities. Teachers will be given weekly feedback for best lesson planning practices
• Utilize student performance data targeting an 80% proficiency benchmark, proactively identifying areas of weakness and developing comprehensive RTI strategies to support underperforming learners
• Assessment & Student Support:
• Regularly assess student progress using both formative and summative evaluation tools
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of student attendance, academic performance, and behavioral growth
• Identify students who may need additional academic support or enrichment, collaborating with intervention specialists and parents to implement strategies for success
• Implement and sustain evidence-based PBIS strategies to foster a positive classroom climate, effectively preventing and de-escalating behavioral challenges

• Professional Growth & Communication:
• Maintain contact with students and parents with effective and regular communication
• Update student grades and academic reports on a weekly basis to maintain accurate and transparent progress tracking
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development days, open houses, accreditation sessions, and Diocesan-mandated training to stay current in your content area and aligned with accreditation standards

• Faith-Based Spirituality
• Embrace and display Catholic/Christian values and spirituality
• Participate with your students in Catholic celebrations
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Dominican pillars of study, preaching, community, and prayer in your teaching

Salary Range:$35,000 to $50,000 (varies by years of experience, multiple credentials, extra services, and academic recommendations)

Core Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education from a fully accredited institution
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Valid State of Ohio Teaching License (P-3 or K-5)
• Experience in a Catholic learning environment preferred
• Complete the Diocese of Cleveland’sVirtus: Protecting God’s Children training prior to employment
• Successfully pass a criminal background check (BCI/FBI)

Compensation and Benefits:

The Elms is a delightful community of talented staff, academic professionals and diverse students offering a competitive salary. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible to participate in numerous benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and matching 401K.

SUBMIT:

Submit your cover letter, current resume with employment dates, and a list of 3 academic references to Dr. Caryl A. Hess at chess@theelms.org c/o Our Lady of the Elms School

Range