Saratoga, CA United States
The Middle School Science Teacher has a passion for working with students ages 10-14, with the goal of engendering in their students a purpose-driven mindset to solve real-world problems and create a more equitable and sustainable world. The teacher is responsible for planning and teaching five general science classes (including life, physical, and earth/space science units), utilizing hands-on teaching and learning activities to develop curiosity, scientific literacy, and executive functioning skills. The role also includes being an Advisor for 12-14 students on a daily basis, attuned to the specific learning needs and social-emotional development of each student. As the central figure in the network of adults supporting each Advisee, the teacher maintains ongoing communications, formal and informal, with parents, grade level colleagues, specialist teachers, and administrators. In addition, the teacher will also periodically offer and lead an Exploratory class focused on creativity or health and wellness.
Responsibilities and Duties: these are not written to be all inclusive nor limited to
- Plan and teach developmentally appropriate learning activities based upon Next Generation Science Standards to meet student learning needs and school objectives
- Assist students with developing social-emotional learning skills, embracing their evolving identity, and recognizing their individual worth
- Establish a welcoming and inclusive classroom learning environment with clear and consistent routines and expectations to promote student autonomy, engagement, responsibility, and respect
- Ensure the safety of each student by supervising arrival, dismissal, recess, and transitions between classrooms as assigned
- Challenge each student appropriately through differentiated learning experiences aligned with a variety of formative and summative assessments
- Utilize the PowerSchool student information system, Schoology learning management system, and other electronic platforms and systems to support student learning
- Provide academic support for students during assigned office hours as well as outside of the classroom during school hours as needed
- Contribute to interdisciplinary curriculum design and student support strategies with the grade level team and specialist teachers
- Partner with learning services team to design and implement support plans to help student success in and out of the classroom
- Participate actively in, and help support as needed, Back to School Nights, Parent-Student Conferences, Faculty Committees, Open Houses and other admissions activities as appropriate
- Develop strong relationships with other faculty and staff to support student success, including through engagement in weekly grade level meetings, faculty meetings, student support meetings, etc.
- Collaborate with faculty and administration on curriculum development, ordering materials, planning field trips, and special events and projects
- Engage in ongoing professional development experiences, including out of the area opportunities, throughout the calendar year (including summer) as directed and supported by the administration
- Attend school chapel twice a week, open houses, and other school functions as required on weekdays and weekends
- Chaperone student field trips; some overnight
- Other related duties assigned by Supervisor
Benefits:
- Kaiser, UHC Health plans with school contribution up to 90%, dependent coverage up to 25%
- Guardian Dental, Vision, Life, Accident, Short/Long Term Disability, covered by school
- Retirement 401K plan with school contribution of 6%
- FSA (Flexible Spending Account for healthcare) with school match up to $1000
- Additional FSA-Dependent Care, Specified Disease, Hospital Confinement, Whole Life available
- Discounted pet Insurance available
- Paid Vacation/Personal Days, paid Holidays, paid School Breaks, Sick Leave with rollover hours
- Partial tuition remission is available
- Years of service bonus
- Paid professional development and continuing education
Reports To: Head of Middle School
Job Type: On-Site, Exempt, Full-time, Salary
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Eligibility to work in the USA; we are unable to provide sponsorship
- Pass background check and provide negative TB test
- Bachelor’s degree required in related field
- Preferred Master’s degree in related field(s) and/or current teaching credential
- Classroom experience in a school setting; middle school preferred
- Experience integrating technology into the classroom
- Ability to function well in a highly collaborative environment
- Ability to use a range of approaches that represent and celebrate diverse cultures, experiences, and viewpoints
- Ability to differentiate instruction so that students are appropriately challenged within their developmental level
- A high degree of self-direction and flexibility
- Current Bloodborne Pathogen, First Aid & CPR certifications or able to attain within the first 2 months of employment
Skills and Characteristics:
- Reading, writing, speaking, listening, basic mathematics
- Desires a highly collaborative work environment
- Values innovation and creativity
- Growth mindset
- Conflict resolution
- Good sense of humor
- Pitch-in can-do, “yes….and” attitude
Equipment / Materials:
- Apple/Mac and iOS environment with laptop and similar devices, and accessories
- Google Suite cloud applications
- Integration of technology into classroom, presentation electronics, software, and accessories
- Operate standard office equipment including copier, postage machine, laminator
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to visually monitor the room and students
- Prolong standing up to and above 80% of time. Includes sitting, squatting, reaching, and kneeling.
- Climb stairs and navigate sloping terrain
- Ability to move equipment/boxes and ability to lift up to 25lbs.
Work Environment:
- Navigate 10 acres of land with multi surfaces, multi-level with transitions
- Surfaces including wood, linoleum, grass, concrete, dirt, gravel.
- Sustain loud noises for a minimum of 50% of time depending on activities
- Sustain indoor artificial lighting for 80% of time or higher depending on activities, backlit monitors
- Able to handle outdoor weather including bright sun to rain, and temperature from cold to hot