Westside School is seeking a dynamic teacher to join our community school as a Middle School Humanities/Social Studies Teacher. A solid understanding of inquiry-based teaching is essential, as is the capacity for teaching in a standards-based environment. We are looking for a colleague who is committed to collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches and using technology seamlessly to enhance learning. The person we seek will personalize the experiences for their students and foster a sense of agency for the learners in their care. The learning environment will be co-constructed with their students and be a place where inquiry, success, resilience and agency are nurtured and celebrated.
This role is for one combined class of language arts and social studies, plus one grade level of social studies. We are looking for a teacher with a strong literacy background, along with social studies.
We are seeking colleagues who are driven by:
- a strong belief in Westside’s mission, vision and values
- student-centered pedagogies
- a love of middle school learners
- a focus on trust, relationships and community
Our learning environment is characterized as:
- inquiry-based learning
- fostering agency in our learners
- service-oriented
- personalized
- joyful, nurturing and challenging
- diverse, safe and inclusive
Qualifications and Experience
Required
- At least two years of full-time classroom experience teaching in an accredited school
- At least a bachelor’s degree
Preferred
- A Secondary license or certification for teaching
- An advanced degree in education
- Recent and relevant professional development in teaching and learning
Professional Skills/Qualities
- Successful experience teaching standards-based curriculum and deep knowledge of inquiry-based learning
- Proven commitment to participate in and establish collaborative structures.
- Ability to provide differentiated instruction for students with varying levels of ability.
- Committed to utilizing data to make informed instructional decisions.
- Experience utilizing technology tools to enhance student learning.
- Proven ability to work successfully in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers and others.
Teaching and Learning Responsibilities
Instruction
- Facilitates the instruction of middle school humanities classes.
- Establishes a well-managed learning environment where active, individual learning and progress for all students is the norm.
- Collaboratively develops unit plans by employing a backwards planning model that utilizes the identified scope and sequence and content standards.
- Utilizes data from varied sources (diagnostic, formative, summative, standardized, etc) to inform instruction and develop differentiated learning opportunities for students.
- Provides timely feedback to students that is actionable and relevant to their learning.
- Monitors, advises, and assists in the pastoral care of students utilizing our Advisory program resources.
- Effectively embeds intentional learning experiences focused on developing a child’s approach to their learning and offers ongoing reflective opportunities for our students.
School Community
- Understands and supports the diversity of the school community and students’ family backgrounds.
- Works in a positive, cooperative, and supportive way with students, parents, co-workers and other stakeholders.
- Communicates regularly with parents on matters of school business.
- Engages in and supports activities that help promote school spirit and sense of community.
- Promotes opportunities for developing community involvement throughout the wider community.
- Recognizes the importance of service learning to our community and promotes this with students and the wider community.
School Organization
- Actively participates in meetings they are invited to attend.
- Participates in professional development opportunities.
- Sets and engages in professional goal setting that is aligned to mission and vision of the school; engages thoughtfully in the evaluation process.
- Reads all staff bulletins for the whole school and their own division; checks and responds to emails within 24 hours.
- Conducts school business at all times in a professional and ethical manner.
- Safeguards the loss/damage of the school equipment and materials.
- Assists the administration and subject colleagues in covering classes and duties - 5 per school year.
Reports to: Middle School Head
Start Date: August 15, 2024
Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time position. The annual salary range is $61,000 - $90,000. Westside School offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees.
- 403b upon eligibility
- Medical and Dental insurance
- Life, AD&D, and Long-term Disability insurance
- Various voluntary insurance benefits including vision insurance, short-term disability, term life insurance, and many more
- 3 Days of Personal Time Off per year
- 7 Days of Sick Time Off per year
- Seattle Sick Time accrual
- 11+ paid holidays throughout the year
Application Process
Interested candidates should send an application to: employment@westsideschool.org. The review of files will begin immediately upon receipt.
The application should include:
- Cover letter of application.
- Resume
- Educational philosophy
- A list of references (at least 3), including names, positions, current employment and contact email addresses. One of those should be the current supervisor.
