Middle School Science Teacher

Position Purpose

This full-time position requires the teacher to teach five sections of science in an environment that values project-based learning, collaboration and differentiated instruction: four sections of science and one student activity period.

The science program presents an integrated curriculum that strengthens students’ science process skills while exploring topics from different branches of science. The lab-intensive Middle School curriculum creates a robust science foundation, which prepares students for their high school science courses.

The teacher also serves as a Middle School advisor to a group of students. The advisor attends chapel with students, acts as their mentor, and provides organizational and self-advocacy instruction. The advisor works with the assigned teaching team to plan, develop and facilitate appropriate skills, conversations and team-building activities for the grade. The advisor communicates regularly and as needed with parents and other teachers, conducts advisory meetings and discussion groups, and prepares for and participates in parent/student/advisor conferences.

• Guide the development of age-appropriate science process skills.
• Cultivate a culturally competent science classroom by establishing and maintaining a respectful and conscientious environment.
• Participate in continuous curriculum evaluation and collaborate with grade-level peers and integrated arts, drama, and technology specialists to extend and enrich the curriculum.
• Collaborate with vertical team members to ensure science curriculum continuity between Lower and Middle School and as students progress through Middle School. The vertical team monitors and advances the quality of the overall program and the progress and success of students.
• Maintain curriculum documentation in accordance with Middle School division requirements.
• Understand and meet the developmental and academic needs of Middle School students of varying academic, social and emotional abilities. Differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.
• Adapt instructional strategies to accommodate the needs of students with diagnosed learning differences according to the accommodations outlined on Student Support Plans.
• Provide feedback to students and parents using a variety of tools including progress and grade reports, in-person and video conferences, phone calls, emails, and one-on-one meetings. The teacher is expected to write thoughtful, meaningful, and well-articulated comments that reflect students’ progress and give specific direction for growth.
• Maintain daily lesson plans and effectively use the Student Information System, Learning Management System, and various other online tools. The teacher is expected to electronically record attendance, grade books, and reports.
• Attend and contribute to regular grade‑level, vertical, divisional, and all-employee meetings.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned, such as lunch, recess and carpool duty.
• Adapt curriculum and instructional modalities as necessary based on whether learning is taking place on campus, at home or in a hybrid/blended environment. Demonstrate technical proficiency and the ability to plan, organize, teach, and communicate in person, to a blended in-person/online class, and in synchronous and asynchronous online environments.
• Assist with the planning of and participate in grade-level field trips, whether they be day or overnight.

The science teacher and advisor plays a pivotal role in the life of a St. John’s student. The teacher is a member of the team that transitions students from Middle School to high school and helps them prepare for a more independent learning environment. The teacher must:

• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty, and care.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal identity, ethos and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.

• Collaborate with colleagues on the development of curriculum and practice of instructional strategies.
• Leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the…