Lower School Kindergarten Teacher

Minnehaha Academy is a PreK – 12 Christian school and a ministry of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

Our mission is to provide a high quality education integrating the Christian faith and learning.

Minnehaha Academy has an opening for a full-time Kindergarten Teacher in the Lower School for the 2025-2026 school-year, from November 2025 through June 2026. This educator will join a collaborative faculty team committed to faith-integrated academic, social, and emotional development through structured play, differentiated instruction, and family engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Planning and Delivery

• Design and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans that integrate literacy, numeracy, science, and social-emotional learning.


• Use differentiated instruction to meet diverse learning needs.


• Incorporate play-based and inquiry-based learning to foster curiosity and creativity.



• Integrate technology and multimedia tools to enhance engagement and accessibility.

Classroom Environment and Management

• Create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing classroom culture that supports positive behavior and emotional regulation.


• Establish clear routines and expectations to promote independence and self-management.



• Use restorative practices and positive reinforcement to guide behavior and resolve conflicts.

Assessment

• Conduct ongoing formative and summative assessments to monitor student growth and adjust instruction.


• Maintain accurate records of student performance, attendance, and behavior.



• Use data to inform instruction and collaborate with support staff (e.g., interventionists, counselor).

Christian Faith Formation

• Model and nurture Christian values such as kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, and respect in daily interactions.


• Lead age-appropriate devotions, prayer, and worship activities that invite children into a relationship with God.


• Integrate Biblical scripture into curriculum and classroom discussions.



• Create a classroom culture of grace and restoration, helping children understand reconciliation and community through a Christ-centered lens.

Family and Community Engagement

• Communicate regularly with families through newsletters, conferences, and digital platforms.


• Partner with parents and caregivers to support learning at home and address developmental concerns in a timely manner.



• Participate in school-wide and community events to build strong school-family relationships.

Professional Development

• Collaborate with grade-level teams and specialists to align curriculum and share best practices.


• Participate in professional development focused on on instructional practices, curriculum implementation, and faith integration .



• Stay current with educational research and policy changes, including state standards and licensing requirements.

Compliance and Administrative Duties

• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, including FERPA, IDEA, and child safety protocols.


• Prepare and submit required documentation, such as assessment data and referrals.



• Support school initiatives and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• Previous teaching experience in an elementary setting



• Experience with Singapore math preferred,
  and/or experience with Building Thinking Classrooms practices in mathematics


• Experience with the Science of Reading / explicit phonics instruction; experience with Reading & Writing Workshop preferred


• Demonstrates ability to engage learners and deliver rigorous curriculum across multiple content areas (Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies)


• Demonstrated proficiency in assessment practices and using student data to inform and differentiate instruction, set goals, monitor progress, and differentiate instruction accordingly, including neurodiverse learners


• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with students, colleagues, and families


• Experience working with diverse student populations (e.g., culturally, socio-economically, neurologically) and implementing equitable teaching practices.


• Minnesota K-6 or 1-6 teaching license or commensurate license from another state



• Ability to integrate the Christian faith into all aspects of the classroom

Minnehaha Academy is an EEO/AA employer