Teachers at Westminster School feel empowered by the school’s uplifting mission and philosophy [link] and the opportunities to contribute to it. While they are respected as professionals in their own classrooms, Westminster teachers also know themselves to be part of something greater, which inspires them and bonds them with their colleagues and the greater school community.

Traditions such as the Back-to-School Picnic, Halloween Parade, Hat Day, Holiday Cookie Party (and staff party!), Varsity vs. Parents Basketball Games, along with student plays, music programs, talent shows, art and poetry contests, and more, lend variety to the school year and provide much enjoyment and mutual appreciation.

An average class size at Westminster School is 12 students (limit of 18). Small classes allow teachers to really get to know the students and their parents. There is time to establish a strong relationship and understand how to best approach each student’s learning needs.

Teachers are linked with their peers horizontally (by grade levels) and vertically (by subject department) with regular meetings and much interchange of ideas and resources. They appreciate the clear guidance and ready support provided by faculty team leaders and department chairs. There is a clear curriculum guide established for each subject, with room built in for teacher creativity. And faculty members are especially bolstered by an administrative team that is accessible, appreciative, and supportive.

Westminster’s approach to educating and helping to raise the children is characterized by consistent classroom management and respectful, courteous conduct on the part of the students. Teachers are expected to be role models and students are held to high expectations, both academic and behavioral. This is backed by a firm, but loving, administration.

One of the unique aspects of the Westminster program is that all subjects are taught by specialists. During the course of the day, the students change classrooms to be taught each subject by the specialist. In each grade, there is a *separate teacher and dedicated classroom for each core subject, including English/language arts, math, history, science, French (in all grades), and Latin (in grades 7-8). Of course, the students are also taught by specialists in all their enrichment classes, including P.E., art, music, drama, technology, and STEAM. Not only does this provide students with an “immersion” environment in each classroom they enter, but teachers get the opportunity to focus their teaching on what they are truly passionate about.

Westminster School respects its faculty members as professionals and values them as individuals with unique perspectives and gifts. This is shown through professional development activities, generous benefits (see below) and personnel policies, personal attention (e.g., treats and lunches on teacher workdays and conference days), openness to faculty concerns and solutions, and warm daily interactions. Many special events and school traditions implemented by the administration provide a feeling of belonging.

Westminster parents truly care about their child’s development, and communication among parents, teachers, and administrators is emphasized. Parents are friendly and supportive of school values. Many are active in fundraising and “fun-raising” activities throughout the school year. Westminster encourages a professional relationship with the parents.

Salaries for beginning teachers and increases for advanced degrees and additional years of teaching experience are competitive with area private and public schools. Benefits include:

•  Generous leave policies;
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options;
• Employer-matching retirement plan (optional);
• Supplemental retirement plan (optional);
• Short- and long-term disability plans, including parental leave;
• Professional development opportunities;
• Life insurance;
• Fifty-percent tuition remission.

* There are two homerooms per grade. In Kindergarten – 2 nd grades, one teacher specializes in
language arts and social studies while the other specializes in Math and Science (with general
topics being taught by both). In grades 3 – 8, there is a separate teacher for each subject.