Thank you for your interest in Sun Valley Community School! Please see below for current openings.
- Learning Specialist (Full-Time)
- Associate College Counselor
- Upper School Spanish Teacher
- Middle School Team Teacher Math/Science
- Learning Specialist (Part-Time)
- Middle School Head
- Director of Educational Technology + Innovation
- After School Program Leaders
LEARNING SPECIALIST (FULL-TIME)
Sun Valley Community School is excited to announce an opening for a Learning Specialist to join the Learning Services Department for fall 2022. This position involves providing direct learning support to students and collaborating closely with other teachers across multiple grades and divisions. The school is looking for an engaging and innovative educator who believes that children should be the focus of all curricular decisions, that learning needs to be differentiated in order to see the potential of each child emerge, and that there are benefits to students completing both individual and group work. This person will join a strong team of educators who work hard to support the unique needs of every child. This is a full-time,10-month position with benefits that begins on August 16, 2022.
Responsibilities
- Evaluating and providing direct support and instruction to students with identified needs;
- Conducting supported classroom sessions;
- Strategically support the general education faculty through the implementation of each enrolled student’s Accommodation Plan;
- Communicate with families informally and formally throughout the year.
Qualifications
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree;
- Candidates must have experience working with students with learning differences, and be able to work across multiple grade levels;
- Candidates must have experience applying student accommodations that maximize the learning for students enrolled in the learning support program;
- Knowledge and experience with creating and engaging students in a differentiated curriculum;
- A healthy sense of humor and flexibility in approach;
- A real sense of joy in working with students;
- An outstanding communicator with all constituencies: students, parents/guardians and colleagues;
- Organized, creative, and inspiring approach to working with a range ages.
Interested candidates should electronically send a cover letter, resume, and at least two letters of reference to:
Sam Herrick
Middle School Head
sherrick@communityschool.org
ASSOCIATE COLLEGE COUNSELOR
Sun Valley Community School is seeking an Associate College Counselor to join the highly collaborative College Counseling Office. This new colleague will serve alongside the Director of College Counseling as the school’s primary source of support and guidance for students and families during all aspects of the college search and application process. The Office’s philosophy is to guide and encourage our students to seek a best-fit college where they will achieve their next set of educational goals. This is a full-time position, with benefits, beginning on or before July 1, 2022.
Responsibilities
- Advise approximately 25 students and their families in all phases of the college search and application process, including student self-reflection, college list building, revising essays, standardized testing, and financial aid;
- Write honest, comprehensive, and supportive recommendation letters that appropriately advocate for each student;
- Meet all deadlines to submit recommendation letters and other school supporting documents;
- Conduct Junior Cohort workshops and Senior Cohort workshops;
- Co-present Grade 9 -12 parent meetings;
- Co-lead a college campus visit week each February during the winter term trip cycle;
- Collaborate with the Director of College Counseling to explore, evaluate, and when appropriate, refine the college counseling curriculum;
- Support the Director of College Counseling in developing, refining, and implementing a rolling three-year strategic plan (2022-2025) for the office;
- Participate in relevant professional development through national and regional conferences, workshops, webinars, etc.;
- Cultivate long-term relationships with college admission offices through college campus visits, participating in counselor fly-in programs, email communication, and hosting college admission representatives on our campus or via video conferencing;
- Participation in some evening, weekend, and our Outdoor Program is required;
- Act as an advisor to a cohort of 9th-12th grade students;
- This position reports to the Upper School Head.
Qualifications
Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should have:
- The energy, patience, and sense of humor to thrive in a fast-paced environment with adolescents and other school community members;
- Experience in higher education admissions and/or college counseling;
- A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
- A detail-oriented approach, with exemplary writing, communication, public speaking, and organizational skills;
- A strong work ethic, a willingness to initiate, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines;
- Track and adapt to current trends in college counseling and college admissions;
- Understand and embrace the unique culture of an independent school in a vibrant mountain resort town’
- A Bachelor’s degree.
Please send an electronic cover letter, resumé, and three references letters by Fri., January 28, 2022 to:
Sun Valley Community School
Attn: Associate College Counselor
℅ Royce Mussman, Director of College Counseling
rmussman@communityschool.org
UPPER SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER
Sun Valley Community School is seeking a dynamic and experienced Upper School Spanish Language Teacher. The position begins August 15, 2022. Candidates should understand and embrace the unique Sun Valley Community School culture of a small independent school in a mountain resort town. They should also possess a deep understanding of the developmental range within the Upper School population, and also be supportive of the school’s “one-school” philosophy across divisions. Ideal candidates should have a healthy sense of humor, be flexible in their approach, and find joy in their work. They should be organized and creative with a commitment to motivate and inspire students to achieve their personal best. Candidates should also work collaboratively with faculty and communicate clearly with parents.
Candidates should demonstrate the ability and desire to work within an inquiry-based educational program, which empowers students to think critically and engage confidently. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree, have native or near-native proficiency, and should be well-versed in ACTFL’s guidelines and proficiency levels. Above all, the successful candidate must love education and demonstrate an energetic and passionate approach to students and teaching.
Interested candidates should please send an electronic cover letter, resumé, and at least two letters of reference by January 24, 2022 to:
Sarah Forzley
World Language Department Chair
sforzley@communityschool.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM TEACHER MATH/SCIENCE
Sun Valley Community School is excited to announce an opening for a Middle School Team Teacher, with an emphasis on math instruction who also has an interest in and experience with science. This is a full-time teaching position that involves collaborating closely with other teachers. Our Middle School program is a blend of subject-specific classes and integrated, project-based units that combine science and humanities through thematic, interdisciplinary curricula. The school is looking for an engaging and innovative educator who believes that children should be the focus of all curricular decisions, that learning needs to be differentiated in order to see the potential of each child emerge, and that there are benefits to students completing both individual and group work. In addition, a significant part of our Middle School program involves time in the field on four annual outdoor trips.
Responsibilities
- This is a full-time, 12-month position with benefits that begins on August 15, 2022.
- Teach math and science, and co-teach the integrated units (2 sections) with Humanities teacher
- Advisor to group of middle school students
- Co-lead four outdoor trips each year
- Teach/lead one term of co-curricular activities during the fall or spring
- Communicate with families informally and formally throughout the year
Qualifications
- A deep understanding of math and science, and comfort with the developmental breadth found in middle school students
- Experience with or an aptitude for collaboration and co-leading projects
- Knowledge and experience with creating and engaging students in a differentiated curriculum
- A healthy sense of humor and flexibility in approach
- A real sense of joy in working with middle school students
- An outstanding communicator with all constituencies: students, parents/guardians and colleagues
- Organized, creative, and inspiring approach to working with middle school students
- A committed collaborator, eager to work with co-teacher and colleagues on a dynamic curriculum
**Both candidates with traditional and non-traditional paths to education are encouraged to apply.
Please send an electronic cover letter, statement of educational philosophy, resumé, and at least three letters of reference to:
Jo Edwards and Naomi Goldberg
Subject: Middle School Team Teacher (Math and Science)
jedwards@communityschool.org and ngoldberg@communityschool.org
LEARNING SPECIALIST (PART-TIME)
Sun Valley Community School is seeking a Learning Specialist for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year with the potential to remain on staff at the conclusion of the academic year. This is a part-time position, of up to 20 hours per week, beginning as soon as the position is filled. Benefits would be available should the position grow beyond 20 hours (28 hours for benefits).
About the Position
The Sun Valley Community School is excited to announce an opening for a learning specialist to join the Learning Services Department. This position involves providing direct learning support to students and collaborating closely with other teachers across grades K-8. Our Elementary and Middle School programs are a blend of subject-specific classes and integrated, project-based units. The school is looking for an engaging and innovative educator who believes that children should be the focus of all curricular decisions, that learning needs to be differentiated in order to see the potential of each child emerge, and that there are benefits to students completing both individual and group work. This person will join a strong team of educators who work hard to support the unique needs of every child.
Responsibilities
- Evaluating and providing direct support and instruction to students with identified needs
- Working to strategically support the general education faculty through the implementation of each enrolled student’s Accommodation Plan
- Conducting supported classroom sessions
- Communicating with colleagues and families informally and formally throughout the year
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree
- Experience working with children with learning differences, and be able to work across multiple grade levels
- Experience with or an aptitude for creatively supporting a range of learning styles and abilities
- A healthy sense of humor, inspiration, organization, creativity and flexibility in approach to working with students
- A real sense of joy in working with elementary and middle school students
- An outstanding communicator with all constituencies: students, parents/guardians and colleagues
- A committed collaborator, eager to work with colleagues to support students
- Candidates also should support the unique Sun Valley Community School culture of a small independent school in a mountain resort town
Please send an electronic cover letter, resumé, and a list of at least 3 references to:
Sam Herrick
Subject: Learning Specialist position
MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD
Sun Valley Community School is seeking an experienced and inspirational educator to become the next Middle School Head starting on July 1, 2022 (or earlier by mutual agreement).
The successful candidate will be a proponent of Sun Valley Community School’s emphasis on community, academic achievement, and its extensive Outdoor, Arts, and Athletics programs. The right candidate for this position will also understand the importance of close relationships between faculty and students and will nurture an atmosphere that builds the trust that is essential to those relationships. They should be an organized, energetic, and creative individual who motivates and inspires students, faculty, and parents. And finally, the successful candidate should be someone who embraces living and working in a mountain town.
The Middle School Head is the primary administrator for grades 6 through 8. The position is part of the senior leadership team of the school, which works collaboratively on behalf of the school community. The Middle School Head reports directly to the Head of School.
About the Middle School
The Middle School division comprises an experienced faculty and staff of approximately 20 professionals working with approximately 100 students in grades 6 through 8. The Middle School program offers diverse formative experiences in the classroom, on the playing fields, on stage, and in the backcountry. The academic program is rooted in proven best practices for middle school students, including project-based learning, student choice, integrated team teaching, standards-based grading, advisory groups, elective classes, thematic units, an appropriately challenging curriculum, and a staff who is committed to engaging early adolescents. We embrace diverse teaching and learning styles to both support and foster the academic success of all students. We also strive for a culture of mutual respect and trust between teachers and students, which creates an environment that is open and accepting, while fostering curiosity and student voice.
Responsibilities
- Oversee and evaluate all Middle School instructional and co-curricular programs in accordance with the school’s mission, goals, and guiding principles.
- Hire, develop, and support an outstanding and experienced faculty.
- Continue to integrate a standards-based grading program in the Middle School.
- Facilitate ongoing faculty development through an evaluation process and professional growth program.
- Manage the Middle School budget.
- Communicate actively and constructively with parents regarding Middle School programs and student progress.
- Represent the Middle School to external constituents and the greater Wood River Valley community.
- Promote creative and meaningful synergies between divisions and departments to maximize the experience of the faculty and students in the spirit of being one school ECC-12.
- Support, nurture, challenge, and inspire the Middle School and greater school communities, while having fun and maintaining a sense of humor.
- Uphold and manage the policies and procedures of the school as outlined in the school’s Handbooks and in context of the school’s Community Standard.
- Effectively communicate the benefits of Sun Valley Community School’s emphasis on academic achievement, its extensive Outdoor, Arts, Athletics, and Service Learning programs to current and prospective families.
- Provide administrative support, oversight, and leadership for unique Middle School programs, such as Athletics, Outdoor, Arts, and Service.
- Continue to evaluate and evolve the Middle School program to meet changing school, scientific, pedagogical, and societal understandings about middle school students.
- Understand and embrace the unique culture of an independent school in a vibrant mountain resort town.
Qualifications
Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should have:
- Extensive experience in the roles of a middle school administrator, teacher, advisor, and/or coach, with a demonstrated passion for working with adolescents.
- A successful track record leading academic initiatives and programs.
- An understanding of standards-based grading practices and philosophies.
- Experience as a school administrator guiding, coaching, leading, and/or supervising faculty.
- Demonstrated strong and effective communication skills (both written and oral), expertise in program development, scheduling, personnel management, and knowledge of current pedagogical research as it relates to middle school students.
- The ability to lead, collaborate with, listen to, and rally a team of educators, adolescents, and parents.
- A commitment to fostering diverse, culturally competent, and inclusive classrooms.
- At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree, with preference for an advanced degree.
Please send an electronic cover letter, statement of educational philosophy, resumé, and at least three letters of reference by December 10, 2021 to:
Erika Daly and Janet Salvoni
Attn: Middle School Head Search
msheadsearch@communityschool.org
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY + INNOVATION
Sun Valley Community School is hiring for a Director of Educational Technology and Innovation, to start July 1, 2022. We seek an aspirational, innovative, and motivated person who is ready, willing, and able to reshape the future of our Technology Program with the support of the Head of School, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees. The Director will serve as a member of the school’s leadership team, report to the Head of School, and will be a vital part of our school programs
Applications are due November 29, 2021
Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of Sun Valley community School. For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:
Ed Tech Recruiting
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM LEADERS
Sun Valley Community School has positions open in our After School Program for the 2021-22 school year. Successful candidates will enjoy working with children ages two-seven years, and have a positive, flexible disposition. These are hourly positions that do not include benefits. Hours vary from 16-20 hours/week in the afternoons between 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Interested candidates will be required to pass a background check. Please provide an email of interest and resume electronically to:
Janet Salvoni
Elementary School Head, Sun Valley Community School
About Sun Valley Community School:
Our philosophy? Build community. Take risks. Grow your curiosities. Pursue your passions. Aim for personal bests. We are a preK-12 day and boarding college prep school of 435 students set in the iconic mountain resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Our faculty and staff are passionate about the outdoors, the arts, innovation, athletics, adventure, and the work they do with students. They are engaged and encouraging and believe in our student-centered approach.
Our students are open to new experiences, take advantage of the natural environment, thrive in a small-town community but have a solid sense of the broader world. A Sun Valley Community School experience balances intellectual inquiry with adventure. We ask students and faculty alike to push comfort zones and seek understanding. We value inclusivity, authenticity, and critical thinking.
A Sun Valley Community School Elementary education is a child-led journey of discovery, fueled by the energy of a dedicated faculty on campus and in the natural surroundings we explore. Starting at the age of two in our Reggio Emilia-inspired program, we encourage our students to follow their passions and explore their creativity while building a strong academic foundation. Throughout our Elementary program, we use authentic challenges and situations—in the classroom, in the lab, on the stage, in the art studio, or in the wilderness—to teach students to work together and build skills while developing essential character strengths. Students learn to value setbacks as well as successes and approach both with optimism and perseverance. Small group discussion, hands-on projects, and teamwork are hallmarks of our learning process. When our students complete their elementary education, they have the independence, confidence, and ability to thrive in Middle School.
Please see our website for further details about our school’s guiding principles as well as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work.