Lower School Math Specialist

About Annie Wright Schools

Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

Position Description

The Lower School Math Specialist at Annie Wright is an enthusiastic educator, passionate about supporting literacy in the Lower School. This role is a split one (roughly 50/50), allowing the Math Specialist to support both students and teachers. With teachers, the Math Specialist understands our math programs and ensures they are taught consistently and with fidelity across the Lower School and align with the PYP philosophy and curriculum. The Math Specialist pushes into classrooms to observe and support teachers, modeling when helpful, and reflecting together afterward to optimize best practices. The Math Specialist at times acts as a coach, other times a cheerleader, as they move across the grades in support of literacy instruction.

The knowledge the Math Specialist gains about our math program and pushing into classrooms in support of and observance of classroom teachers makes them a natural support for students. The Math Specialist provides push-in support during instructional time with students, as well as provides pull-out small group support when needed. Students see the Math Specialist as another teacher present in the classroom, and with their experience, the Math Specialist employs strategies to differentiate instruction and provides interventions for students. Through professional and personal experience, the Math Specialist has developed a deep understanding of meeting the range of needs of children and teachers and finds joy and love in providing this support.

The work of the Math Specialist is unique and is most successful when done as part of a team. The Math Specialist works collaboratively with the Lower School pedagogical leadership team to support math curriculum and progression within our PYP program as well as to recommend professional development resources and collaboratively lead in-house professional development. The Math Specialist is also part of the broader Student Action Team (SAT) in the Lower School, so works collaboratively with all those supporting students and teachers. The Math Specialist has experience in the classroom, so has empathy and understanding for classroom teachers, as well as experience teaching and supporting students.

Duties and Responsibilities

Faculty and Curriculum Support (0.5)

• Supports math instruction; models, coaches, and inspires IB and math best practices
• Collaborates with the pedagogical leadership team, including the PYP Coordinator and Learning Support team, to support math curriculum and progression from Preschool through Grade 5
• Collaborates with the pedagogical leadership team to recommend professional development resources and collaboratively lead in-house professional development
• Works with the pedagogical leadership team and teaching teams for online and text-based curriculum selection and implementation needs
• Oversees i-Ready math testing and data

Student Support (0.5)

• Push-in support (and additional pull-out if needed) focused on math
• Provides small-group math support as needed
• Provides testing accommodations for students across subjects as needed
• Works as part of the Lower School Student Action Team to identify, strategize on, and support students' needs
• Provides Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP) support as needed
• Reports to the Lower School Division Director
• Assists with daily duties alongside other members of the Lower School team, including carline and an occasional recess duty as needed
• Fulfills other duties as assigned

Qualifications

The Lower School Math Specialist will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list, and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities.

• Holds a BA or master's in education
• Has a minimum of three years of experience as a Lower School (Preschool-Grade 5) lead classroom teacher or learning specialist
• Has an understanding of the PYP philosophy and curriculum framework
• Demonstrates familiarity with current research and best practices in learning, differentiation, and teaching
• Is a strong communicator, both verbally and in writing, and an empathetic listener
• Demonstrates flexibility
• Is proficient in using technology as a learning support tool
• Exhibits an understanding of and enthusiasm to work with and care for Lower School students and the desire to collaborate as part of a team
• Practices cultural humility in personal interactions
• Is eligible to work in the United States. Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods
• Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom and outdoor playground space, accessing materials and assisting students as needed
• Must be able to navigate the stairs on campus
• Must be able to communicate and exchange information with teachers, young children, and families

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a salary range of $60,000 - $90,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits available to the hired candidate for the Lower School Math Specialist include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year
• Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2026
• Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
• All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days
• A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match, with a 3% employee contribution