Principia is growing! We are seeking a teacher of Social Studies for sixth, seventh and eighth graders through the Integrated Studies Program who uses a variety of teaching methods to meet students’ needs and mentors students as their teacher and character educator. Full-time, school-year position starting 2023-24 school year.

Work Performed: Essential Duties*

• Display a strong interest and love for working with 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students.
• Plan lessons that invoke student interest and ownership.
• Incorporate real-life situations where appropriate, and demonstrate an awareness of the needs of the future-ready
• Model an enthusiasm, love for and expertise in the five themes/strands of Social Studies: History, Geography, Economics, Culture, Government.
• Center teaching around and links all units to current events.
• Demonstrate a desire to challenge the status quo of traditional history teaching - offers an unbiased and multi-faceted thinking approach to concepts in the Social Studies curriculum.
• Effectively integrate future-ready skills into the classroom helping students develop strong critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, research and communication skills.
• Able to work with a wide range of students – differentiate for multiple levels within each class (mixed-ability classrooms).
• Member of the Integrated Studies team (which will involve planning and team teaching weekly).
• Pursue professional development and apply best educational practices in the classroom; become part of a professional learning community where teachers are continually improving teaching and learning.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents & administrators.
• Support mutual curricular/instructional goals with the Lower and Upper School Social Studies teachers.
• Monitor and support student progress by using different forms of assessment i.e. rubrics and a proficiency scale.
• Develop experiential opportunities to deepen understanding.
• Integrate technology where appropriate.
• Meet and communicate with students and parents regarding student growth in Social Studies skills.
• Participate in weekly faculty meetings about student growth in academics and character.
• Assess students in their approaches to learning.
• Communicate with the Learning Engagement Center about students and push-in/support services.
• Actively participate in various committee meetings, faculty and parent meetings, and professional development.
• Support Middle School activities by chaperoning social events and trips.
• Participate in yearly goal-setting and frequent one-on-one meetings with supervisor.
• Reflect on teaching and learning regularly and improve practice.
• Complete the required portfolio, including walkthroughs, school visits, reflections, and goal-setting.
• Attend conferences with the intention of improving own practice, as well as initiatives for the Middle School.
• Participate in and contribute to weekly and yearly professional development sessions.
• Engage in professional learning experiences that support school initiatives.

Key Competencies

Candidates’ overall outlook and approach to life and learning are just as important to us as appropriate qualifications and experience. Principia School seeks individuals who are . . . 

• Positive: We appreciate team members who are optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. We are a strengths-based organization; faculty and staff are expected to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team players: The ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior administrators is critical. The School has a strong team-centered leadership approach. Staff are expected to be able to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner. They must bring a constructive outlook to partnering with a wide range of stakeholders—administrators, faculty, coaches, houseparents, marketers, and fundraisers, among others.
• Innovators: Given our fast-moving, ever-changing world, all School employees are expected to demonstrate a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues. The School emphasizes continual improvement and expects staff to have a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence. 
• Strategic thinkers: We prize the ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.
• Student centered mindset: Principia views students as having unlimited potential. With this in mind, Principia expects team members to honor policy 3: ‘The Principia shall recognize that man as the child of God reflects the intelligence and strength of his Maker, and that all men have equal opportunity and equal ability in the sight of God.’

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Oral and Written Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; able to read and interpret written information.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Initiative - Undertakes self-development activities; demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions; relates well to students and adults.

Mission

• The Principia shall seek to serve the Cause of Christian Science through appropriate channels open to it as an educational institution (Policy 1).

Vision

• Principia is a Christian Science community of practice. Through transformative opportunities, a challenging curriculum, and character education based on the teachings of Christian Science, we examine, test, and strengthen our faith while developing the skills and understanding requisite for excellence. As global, outward-looking, inspired learners, we serve and better the world. 

Values

• Principia’s values, listed below, are grounded in the teachings of Christian Science:
• Teaching and learning
• Thinking and acting from the basis of Principle, Love
• Unfoldment of character
• Individual and collective excellence
• Citizenship and service
• Innovation and continuous improvement

*The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Active (or pending) membership in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and/or in a Journal-listed branch church or society of The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
• Christian Science class instruction preferred but not required.
• Teaching certification preferred (required within two years of hire date).
• Bachelor’s degree required in Education, History or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Ability to teach Social Studies, including US Government, American History, Geography, and parallel World History events.
• Relevant teaching experience with middle school students.

About The Principia School

At Principia School, students are encouraged to embrace their unlimited potential—with curiosity, confidence, and the knowledge that their educational journey will be guided by those who believe in boundless possibility. Every day we “mark the perfect man”(Psalms 37:37). This guides us to see each other as whole and unlimited. We see the good in every student—and because we do, they see the good in themselves. From that starting point, all things are possible. Job candidates’ overall outlook and approach to life and learning are just as important to us as appropriate qualifications and experience. Principia School seeks individuals who are . . . Positive: We appreciate team members who are optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. We are a strengths-based organization; faculty and staff are expected to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other. Team players: The ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior administrators is critical. The School has a strong team-centered leadership approach. Staff are expected to be able to listen, give and receive feedback, and be com...fortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner. They must bring a constructive outlook to partnering with a wide range of stakeholders—administrators, faculty, coaches, residential life, and central administration. Innovators: Given our fast-moving, ever-changing world, all School employees are expected to demonstrate a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues. The School emphasizes continual improvement and expects staff to have a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence. Strategic thinkers: We prize the ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.

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