Watkinson School, offering innovative teaching to Hartford and surrounding communities since 1881, seeks a summer-only full-time elementary school teacher. SPHERE is a non-profit, five-week program for 60-70 Hartford and East Hartford youth entering grades 1-5 held at Watkinson School.

Daily classroom instruction is aligned with the Common Core State Standards in literacy and math. Teachers are encouraged to use technology to support instruction and promote student engagement. Other classroom practices that the SPHERE Summer Program incorporates are:

• Social emotional morning routines such as Morning Circles and mindfulness activities
• Skill-based learning stations
• Interactive Read Alouds and text discussions
• Using pre- and post-assessment and daily observation to drive instructional choices
• Positive reinforcement classroom management system as well as class and program-wide celebrations

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to reaching all students in a heterogeneously-grouped class. They will do so by using creative approaches to instruction that incorporate both hands-on and minds-on learning while prioritizing fun, laughter, and opportunities for student choice. Successful applicants will also bring to the position a sense of enthusiasm, proactivity, and warmth as well as the ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with parents, students, and summer program colleagues.

A bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or a related field and proven successful experience teaching at this level is required. In addition to classroom teaching responsibilities, this position includes supervising high school student counselors assisting in the classroom and occasionally moderating an afternoon activity. 

Watkinson School is an equal opportunity employer and an open and affirming community. We seek candidates of diverse backgrounds. This position commences on June 21st and concludes on July 28th and is a summer-only position. If interested, please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to sphere@watkinson.org.

Watkinson School, offering inventive teaching to Hartford and surrounding communities since 1881, seeks a full-time Director of College Counseling. Successful applicants will demonstrate creative approaches to counseling and a commitment to knowing and representing all students well. Applicants must possess enthusiasm for working in a dynamic environment, working with a range of students, and developing and sustaining positive relationships with parents, faculty, school leadership, and staff. 

Watkinson’s College Counseling Office prides itself in knowing our students deeply through their work in our classrooms, our stage, our fields, and our community.  Our college counselors are present and involved, as they work with other faculty in Advisory, participate in leadership discussions in the Upper School, and communicate regularly with our families.  Successful candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) and significant experience in college counseling and admissions.  

The Director of College Counseling is responsible for championing the work that lies within our students’ hopes and dreams of what might come next for them after high school.  

Successful candidates should possess the following attributes: 

• Impeccable written and oral communication skills 
• Extensive knowledge of a wide variety of colleges and universities
• Proven experience and success with the admissions process from multiple angles 
• Experience with successful and productive adult collaboration and shared creation with colleagues and faculty  
• An interest in and attention to trends and patterns within the changing world of college admissions
• Commitment to building positive and supportive relationships with students and families 
• An ability to connect and know students in order to help them identify academic and future goals
• A sense of humor and fun in our work at school 

Beyond that, the Director of College Counseling will take up the following work: 

• Understanding Watkinson’s mission and program and how that impacts the lens through which our students will approach the college process
• Coaching students on the most effective ways to present themselves through written work, digital portfolios, interviews, and other correspondence
• Creating and executing information sessions and workshops for students and families in grades 10-12 regarding the college process, testing, and financial aid 
• Oversee the administration of and access to standardized testing 
• Coordinating, supervising, and editing both the Student Profile and Teacher Recommendation processes
• Maintaining strong relationships with those institutions and coordinating on-campus visits with representatives from college admissions offices
• Appropriate travel to colleges, universities, and professional conferences 
• Teaching and managing our community’s use of Scoir throughout the application process 
• Participating in Upper School support team meetings

Our eventual Director of College Counseling will enter a lively and vibrant school where, according to recent surveys, 95% of alumni would recommend the school, 98% of current parents believe that the school supports their students’ social and emotional development, and 97% of current students agree that their teachers encourage them and treat them with respect.

 Watkinson is an equal opportunity employer and an open and affirming community that seeks candidates of diverse backgrounds. This 12-month position will start in July 2023. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to collegecounselor@watkinson.org