About Cascades Academy
Cascades Academy was founded in 2003 with a deep commitment to experiential learning, academic excellence, and community engagement. Now in its 22nd year, the school has grown to 250 students PreK-12 on its 45-acre award-winning campus.  The school is excited to more fully realize its founding pillars while also deepening its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, social-emotional learning, and community partnerships to inspire lifelong learners.  

Cascades Academy values employees who are committed to our mission, are prepared to engage fully in a learning community, and are excited to bring their authentic selves to work. Cascades Academy’s culture is highly collaborative and puts what is best for students at the center of the work. Regularly named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon, our faculty and staff see each other as teammates and feel motivated to do their best work here. 
Cascades Academy strives to cultivate and maintain a supportive, inclusive community for all employees and actively promotes a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.  

The Upper School
The Cascades Academy Upper School is led by a collection of dedicated, dynamic educators working to support students seeking a unique, dynamic high school experience.  As a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, the class of 2027 will be the first to graduate with this unique, personal portfolio instead of a standard transcript with a GPA.  A tight-knit community, the US faculty culture is characterized by humility, agility, innovation, and humor as each individual wears multiple hats in a given week.  Faculty benefit from the chance to leverage their unique passions and interests in shaping elements of the experiential education program.  The faculty prioritize innovation, progressive education, and collaboration as we pave a new path for high school education.  

Position Summary
Cascades Academy seeks an experienced Upper School Spanish Teacher to instruct Spanish classes to students in grades 9 - 12 with an emphasis on higher level courses, Spanish III and Spanish IV/V.  Possibility exists for this position to range from 0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE based on candidate’s interest, availability, experience, and skillset. Possibility also exists to become department chair of the Middle School & Upper School Spanish department.

Full Time Responsibilities

• Teaching 3-4 sections of US Spanish.  Classes could range from Spanish I to Spanish V, depending on the candidate’s skills and experience.
• Co-teach an expedition each semester: experiential, off-campus field courses
• Teach experiential semester-long electives
• Co-lead multi-day, overnight (and likely international) Traveling School twice a year during the fall and spring semesters, 5 days in the fall, 10 days in the spring
• Potentially lead the Middle and Upper School Spanish department in monthly meetings designing, aligning, and coordinating curriculum scope and sequence work
• Institutional:
  • Attend all full-faculty trainings, meetings, and professional development activities.
  • Participate in other all-school events including open houses and other admissions events

Note: Minimum 0.5 FTE would include just teaching Spanish courses and none of the experiential or department chair duties. 

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years Spanish teaching experience
• Experience teaching high school students
• Experience with competency-based teaching and learning (preferred)
• Experience with curriculum development and departmental leadership (preferred)
• Clean driving record and valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Fluent Spanish speaker; Native speaker preferred
• A passion for Spanish language and associated cultures
• Passion for teaching in a creative, integrated, and innovative way
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Strong relational skills and emotional intelligence
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of, experience with, and values alignment with competency-based learning
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to drive a 14-passenger bus
• Commitment to implementing culturally competent curriculum and instruction 
• Appreciation and respect for diversity in all of its forms
• Advocacy around inclusion
• Commitment to experiential learning, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning
• Desire to be an active member of a vibrant community of students, families, and staff
• Knowledge of common tech platforms used in education, such as Blackbaud, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Integrity, sound judgment, self-confidence, collaborative spirit, and a sense of humor

Physical Requirements

• Requires mobility to traverse campus to accompany and assure the safety of children.  This may include moving between buildings multiple times throughout the workday and bending, squatting, stooping, and kneeling.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to consistently and clearly communicate with children, colleagues, and families.

About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is a PK-12 independent school located in Bend, OR.

Connections working at Cascades Academy