Teacher - Elementary - Grades K through 5

About the role

Downington Area School District is seeking qualified candidates for anticipated openings for elementary teachers certified in Grades K through 5 for the 2026-2027 school year. Available positions may include full-time permanent contracts and long-term substitute contracts.

Responsibilities

• Communicate openly to build relationships and trust
• Partner with team members to see the TEAM succeed
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and seek ongoing opportunities for growth
• Embrace and support a safe and inclusive environment
• Eagerly and enthusiastically support student learning
• Strive to be kind and reflective
• Focus on the solution and put people first
• Lead by example!

Requirements

• Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and hold a proper Pennsylvania certification for the position
• Positives attitude toward the teaching profession, service to the district, and importance and purpose of the education program
• Proficiency in use of current technology for individual or group demonstration or communication
• Able to flex and vary hours to accommodate needs of students, parents, and other teachers
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, and outside organizations
• Excellent classroom management skills
• Effective communication skills to provide accurate information to others and to obtain, give, and follow directions
• Ability to provide good judgment, planning, and human relations skills, as well as be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility

Qualifications

• Knowledge in the area of assignment
• Positive attitude toward the teaching profession, service to the district, and importance and purpose of the education program
• Proficiency in use of current technology for individual or group demonstration or communication
• Able to flex and vary hours to accommodate needs of students, parents, and other teachers
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, and outside organizations
• Excellent classroom management skills
• Effective communication skills to provide accurate information to others and to obtain, give, and follow directions
• Ability to provide good judgment, planning, and human relations skills, as well as be required to work under periods of stress due to the level of the position responsibility

Skills

• Communicate openly to build relationships and trust
• Partner with team members to see the TEAM succeed
• Demonstrate a growth mindset and seek ongoing opportunities for growth
• Embrace and support a safe and inclusive environment
• Eagerly and enthusiastically support student learning
• Strive to be kind and reflective
• Focus on the solution and put people first
• Lead by example!

Benefits

• Select Health Benefits a la carte - Only pay for what you need
• Medical Coverage through IBX - Personal Choice C4-F4-02
• No Primary Care Physician necessary
• No referrals required
• IBC has extensive local and national networks
• Prescription Coverage through CVS/Caremark
• Dental Coverage - Delta Dental Active PPO
• Allows use of in-network and out-of-network providers
• Vision Coverage - Vision Benefits of America (VBA)
• Eligibility - No Waiting Period
• All employees may enroll in the district's health benefit plans effective with their date of hire into the benefit eligible position
• Eligible Dependents A legally married spouse as defined by PA law and children up to age 26 may enroll in the District's health benefit plans
• New Hires or Newly Eligible You have 31 days from the date that you are benefit eligible to make your elections
• If you do not make elections during this time, you will only be enrolled into any benefit that is provided by the District at no cost to you
• Flexible Spending Accounts Benefit eligible employees have the opportunity to elect to participate in a Flexible Spending Account
• DASD offers both a Healthcare Spending Account and Dependent Care Spending Account
• This benefit allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out of pocket eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Support For The Whole You Fitness Program
• Receive $150 back when you complete 120 workouts at an approved fitness facility within 365 days
• www.ibx.com/reimbursements
• Nutritional Counseling
• Up to 6 free visits per calendar year with a registered dietitian
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate is a free, confidential program that offers EAP+ Work/Life benefits to help you address difficulties in your life by providing short term assistance with personal, family, and work issues
• In addition, it simplifies the navigation of the health care system by helping you find the right doctors, resolving billing and insurance claim issues, explaining benefit coverages, helping your parents or in-laws with the complexities of Medicare, and much more!
• Telemedicine
• The telemedicine benefit through SwiftMD is offered to ALL DASD employees at no cost to you
• The telemedicine benefit allows for consultations with US board-certified doctors over the phone or online, from your home, office, or on the road
• Retirement - Member of State Pension System (PSERS)
• As a PSERS member, you'll join with over a half million fellow public school employees who are also members
• You'll contribute to your own personal PSERS retirement account and have a safe and secure benefit payment(s) from one of the largest public retirement plans in the nation
• Student Loan Forgiveness
• All DASD employees are eligible to apply for loan forgiveness through the federal government's Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Find out more here: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
• Life Benefit
• Pays 1 x your basic annual salary up to maximum of $50,000
• Income Protection Benefit
• Pays 60% of your basic monthly pay, up to $2,800 per month
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 75% of tuition if grade if B or better is attained; limit 12 credits per year
• Induction Program
• All new teachers, including Long Term Substitutes (LTS), will participate in the DASD Induction Program
• The district offers a one- or two-year program depending on the number of years of prior professional experience within PA public schools
• After-school workshops
• Assigned mentor for additional support
• Collaboration meetings with curriculum leader, grade level leader, or supervisor(s)
• New hire faculty meetings with principal(s)
• Professional Development
• 8 staff professional development days per year
• Paid Time Off
• 10 sick days annually
• 2 personal days annually; may accumulate up to 5
• Retiree Benefits
• Personal Days Payout
• Sick Days Payout

Pay

Salary 2026-2027 School Year Placement upon salary scale is dependent upon education and years of teaching service. Please click on the link to the DAEA Agreement - 2025-2030 and refer to Appendix B for the 2026-2027 Salary Schedule.

Schedule

7.5 hours per day based upon district-approved calendar

Up to 191 days per year, plus up to 3 days of orientation for professional employees during first year of employment