Position Summary

Located in Mount Pleasant and serving the metro Charleston area, University School of the Lowcountry (www.uslowcountry.org) (USL) is an co-educational, non-sectarian, non-profit independent school with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status geared to high-achieving students. University School is an invigorating environment for learning, filled with nice, hardworking, smart, empathetic, and curious students who are guided and led by a dynamic faculty.  Offering grades 3-12 and serving approximately 80 students, University School seeks to develop self-confident, passionate, and empathetic learners who will make a positive difference in the world.

We are seeking an innovative, energetic and positive Upper Elementary Math & Science teacher for the 2026-2027 school year.  There is a possibility this position may become open in January 2026.

This position falls within our Intermediate School (grades 3-5) which encompasses 21-28 students in these grades.  The job entails collaborating with the Director of the Intermediate School, providing Math & Science instruction, helping to oversee the Intermediate School students in other moments over the day, and serving as a Learning Outside the Classroom teacher (weekly experiential field trips, largely on Wednesdays). This position comes with the support of a team of other Math and Science teachers.  

USL Intermediate School students also learn Humanities, English, Spanish, Mandarin, Leadership and Life Skills, Latin and Greek roots, and Art.  These courses are taught by other instructors.  USL also features daily PE in the morning for all students, and our hallmark Learning Outside the Classroom program entails weekly field experiences (one day per week). 

Signature learning programs for our students distinguish us.  They include 50+ hours of community service during school hours, 30+ field trips per year (“Learning Outside the Classroom” almost every Wednesday to challenge, inspire, and make classroom lessons real), exploring religions and faiths first hand (visiting 5-6 each year), job shadow program, guest speakers program (30+ per year), an emphasis on civility, manners, and much more.  These real-world experiences and interactions with experts provide robust learning moments for our Upper Elementary / Intermediate School students in Math and Science topics and more!

We are not your typical school. Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about the possibility of teaching Upper Elementary Math and Science and inspiring students who are curious, smart, compassionate, kind, and hardworking over a multi-year program in a supportive, positive, and collaborative school.

Overview of Intermediate School Math & Science

Math Component

The Math program is individualized for each student, allowing proficient students to thrive and advance and master material at an accelerated pace. This means that Intermediate School students (grades 3-5) can begin Middle School work upon completing the grade 5 standards, and Middle School students can advance through higher level courses.  The students far beyond their grade in Math are taught by other members of the Math department.

Two sections:                      

(1) Grades 3/4  (10-13 students)       (2) Grade 5 (10-12 students)

- 8 total class sessions per week - Taught 4x/week (field trips on Wednesday)

- As noted above, some of the students (usually 3-5) are advanced beyond 5^th grade and are taught by other faculty members

Science Component

Our Intermediate School Science program is based around three themes (water, air, earth), and one is explored each year (thus a 3-year cycle) with the various disciplines interwoven into the subject study.  Field experiences are devoted to the hands-on learning of the topics, and this includes many dedicated Learning Outside the Classroom days for science. There are pre-existing curriculum maps for each year of the Science cycle. The cycle is the same for the Middle School, so there is a lot of partnering between the Science teachers of the two divisions each year. The IS Science teacher is part of our field trip team of teachers.  This means they will join the weekly field trip (90% are on Wednesdays) and venture beyond our campus to help our students learn and grow from direct experience and interaction with experts.

Two sections:     

(1) Grades 3/4  (10-13 students)       (2) Grade 5 (10-12 students)                                                    

- 4-6 total class sessions per week - Taught 2-3x/week  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Mission and Leadership

• Be a visible presence on campus and build/maintain relationships among all students & faculty.
• Support the mission, vision, and core values of the school.
• Promote a school climate that is safe, supports learning, and emphasizes character development.
• Communicate proactively with students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Curriculum and Teaching and Learning

• Be knowledgeable and able to articulate age and developmentally appropriate expectations and lessons
• Review, regularly evaluate, and share the academic programs for Math & Science in grades 3-5.

Students – Curriculum & Classroom Teaching and Learning

• Be knowledgeable of advances and developments in Math & Science (the school has memberships in the NCTM, NSTA, and Science journals and magazines for faculty and students)
• Collaborate with other USL teachers to regularly review and evaluate the academic programs in Math & Science, including horizontal and vertical curricular flow.
• Use appropriate and varied teaching techniques
• Maintain academic and attendance records for each student
• Prepare and conduct regular assessments
• Integrate content and experiences from weekly field trips into the curriculum and lesson plans.
• Assign lessons, correct work in a timely manner, and evaluate oral presentations
• Prepare course objectives and follow the school's overarching curriculum
• Develop and share a year-long curriculum map.  USL has pre-existing maps for each level of Math and Science and the teacher will have the support of other teachers.
• Demonstrate a passion for working with students in grades 3-5 and an understanding of their unique development at each of these levels.
• Display enthusiasm for teaching and professional growth.
• Get to know students and their families well.
• Follow child safety and reporting requirements of the State and the School in the case of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Faculty – Other Members of the University School Staff

• Ensure that teachers across disciplines are familiar with lessons taught and skills expected so there is mutual reinforcement and common expectations.  
• Foster a professional, respectful, and appreciative environment that values the contributions of all team members.
• Serve as a member of the Math & Science departments and Intermediate School division; attend meetings and support the work of the department and the IS division.
• Build trusting, positive, and collaborative relationships with other faculty and staff.

Common Qualification Requirements

• A degree in Elementary Education, Math, Science or related degree is preferred but not required. 

The key is demonstrated proficiency in the topics and skills listed.

• Teaching experience, and this can come in a wide variety of forms and fields, especially with students in grades 3-5. This can include working with K-8 students and can include public and/or private schools. 

About University School of the Lowcountry

Mission

University School of the Lowcountry inspires and equips students to live with curiosity, kindness, compassion, courage, resilience, and a strong work ethic. We cultivate not only the intellect to excel, but also the integrity to lead, the empathy to serve, and the creativity to solve problems that matter. Through forward-thinking education and meaningful service—both in and beyond the classroom—we prepare our students to contribute to a better, more connected world.

Vision

To be nationally recognized as a trailblazing independent school where curiosity, compassion, courage, resilience, and a strong work ethic are hallmarks of every graduate. We envision a community of scholars, leaders, and global citizens who think critically, act with integrity, and serve with empathy—prepared not only to thrive in a complex, interconnected world, but to shape it for the better.

Faculty

University School attracts the best teachers, hiring those who succeed because of their drive, optimism, insight, curiosity, and ability. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Actively fostering a culture of learning is what makes a great school. Our exceptional teachers and their high expectations foster an environment where our students succeed.  Our dedicated faculty have the highest expectations for each other and each student in all areas of their development: intellectually, physically, emotionally, ethically, and socially.

University School features a supportive and warm environment for teachers.  Faculty are treated like professionals and are respected and shown proper gratitude by students and families.  Teachers have wide latitude to teach and select curriculum materials to engage their students, and guidance comes from the Head of School (who is also a teacher), fellow department members and teachers, and best practices from national associations for the various disciplines.  The Faculty hold themselves to high standards for inspiring and challenging their students within an environment of mutual care and concern. 

University School is a community where relationships are pivotal to learning. As such, the personal qualities of this candidate are vital. These include being a supportive, positive, engaged, and flexible role model who demonstrates both a sense of humor and an infectious enthusiasm for working with students. The candidate should also be comfortable guiding students in developing positive relationships with others who are older and younger.  He or she must also be able to work effectively with others in a spirit of collegiality and understand that teaching is a moral act. 

We are devoted to our teachers’ professional and personal development. University School teachers are certified in American Red Cross CPR/AED and have completed Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children sexual abuse prevention program. 

The South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) has recognized our faculty and staff: Head of School of the Year (2013), Middle School Teacher of the Year (2018), Elementary School Teacher of the Year (2020), and High School Teacher of the Year (2023, 2021), Middle School Math Teacher of the Year (2023).

Interested in Applying / Learning More?

University School offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with skills and experiences.

Please contact directly by email only to the Head of School, Jason Kreutner (jkreutner@uslowcountry.org).

For more information, or to apply now, please go to the website below.

https://uslowcountry.org/about/employment/

University School of the Lowcountry is committed to its growth as an institution that welcomes and values a diversified school community. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, economic background, or any other classification protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, financial assistance policies, or any other school policy or program.

A degree in Elementary Education, Math, Science or related degree is preferred but not required.  The key is demonstrated proficiency in the topics and skills listed.

Teaching experience, and this can come in a wide variety of forms and fields, especially with students in grades 3-5. This can include working with K-8 students and can include public and/or private schools. 

About University School of the Lowcountry

Mission University School of the Lowcountry is an independent school serving grades 3-12 that engages students in a variety of empirically proven and forward-thinking educational and service opportunities both in and outside of the classroom and challenges students in age-appropriate ways to excel academically while growing in emotional intelligence in a culture that teaches and practices the importance of citizenship. Vision Our vision is to develop outstanding students who are well-prepared to be scholars, leaders, and global citizens of the future. Core Values We develop discerning smart students by learning first-hand from experts about a range of topics outside the classroom. We foster leadership by providing opportunities to lead. We create a caring and inclusive environment by embracing diverse perspectives and individuals. We nurture compassionate and responsible students by serving our neighbors and community organizations. We encourage wellness through multi-faceted principles that promote student development and resiliency.

Connections working at University School of the Lowcountry