Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Full-time Middle School Social Studies Teacher, beginning August 2020

Westtown School is an independent, co-educational, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia.  Situated on a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers state-of-the-art facilities where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world. 

Students at Westtown are challenged to realize their intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual potential. A spirit of inquiry reigns in the classroom and students are encouraged to think creatively, to feel the condition of others, and to listen to their inner selves. Westtown expects students to be critical, independent thinkers who can work with a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and tolerance of the views of others. The Westtown experience is defined by rigorous academic preparation for college, community living in a diverse environment, weekly Meeting for Worship, and service. Quaker values and practices pervade the curriculum and culture, encouraging each community member to value diversity, to seek peace and justice, and to demonstrate respect for self and others. 

Position description

The Middle School Social Studies teacher works as an effective member of both a cohort of Middle School Social Studies teachers and a grade-level team to develop innovative curriculum. The full-time teaching responsibility consists of teaching four major, year-long classes or the equivalent. Teaching assignments may include 6th grade Geography & Culture, 7th grade US History and/or 8th grade Regional Studies. 

The Middle School Social Studies teacher is a member of the core Middle School team. Core activities include advising, supervision of study halls and recesses, chaperoning field trips, and related activities that contribute to the Middle School community and the educational experience of our students. Core teachers engage in at least one other co-curricular commitment such as a season of athletic coaching, leading the robotics team or advising yearbook. The successful candidate will be a motivated educator with strong content knowledge and a keen interest in working with Middle School students.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Teaches content and research skills, working with primary source documents, incorporating authentic resources involving a range of voices;
• Integrates technology seamlessly into teaching strategies and practices;
• Develops lessons and hands-on learning activities that promote problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills while encouraging risk-taking in learning;
• Actively involves students in the classroom through group work, project-based learning, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques;
• Enthusiastically seeks out and participates in both school-sponsored and self-selected professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader;
• Communicates effectively with all constituents – colleagues, administrators, parents, and students.

Qualifications

• BA or BS degree; advanced degree preferred;
• A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant classroom teaching experience; preferably working with Middle School students;
• A strong character with a team-oriented spirit, and a commitment to meeting the unique academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of Middle School students;
• A deep commitment to enhancing an inclusive school community based on cultural competence, commitment to social justice, and respect for all voices;
• Strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an educational philosophy consistent with the school’s Quaker values.

Guided by the Quaker belief that there is that of God in all persons, Westtown School is a community of learners who value, and are themselves strengthened by, the rich diversity of its members. As a school, we seek to prepare students for living and leading in a diverse and complex world. As a community, we aspire to inclusivity and respect. To these ends, we welcome qualified students, faculty, staff, and trustees of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, family structure including marital or parental status, and socioeconomic status. Westtown School does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of these characteristics in any of its policies, procedures, or practices relating to admission, access to activities or programs, hiring, or other employment-related decisions.

Interested, qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume to: Sherri Farenwald, Director of Human Resources, at http://tiny.cc/westtown_careercenter and select Show All Job Openings.