Part Time Middle School Science Teacher (Long Term Sub)

The Schoolhouse in South Burlington, Vermont seeks a dynamic, flexible, broad-thinking, project based science educator for a part time (1.5 to 2.5 days per week) Middle Grades (6-8th grades) position beginning  January 2, 2018. The teacher will have primary responsibility for developing and delivering the place- and project-based science curriculum for a multi-aged, holistic middle school program.  The Schoolhouse science program focuses on biological and environmental sciences and uses the surrounding wetlands as a laboratory.  The science teacher will work with other members of the middle school team, including the Lead Teacher, to support all aspects of the Program including: the community field studies program, the advisory system, field trips, activities to promote supportive class culture, positive student discipline, and communication with parents.

About The Schoolhouse

The Schoolhouse is a state of Vermont approved independent school (K to 8th grade) and a licensed childcare center in South Burlington, Vermont located on 27 acres of wetlands with a long history of providing a quality education to a wide range of students and their families. The school’s goal is to lead children to discover the rewards found in the process of active inquiry and respectful, cooperative work with others. The middle grades program builds upon what The Schoolhouse offers its elementary and preschool students: small, multi-age classes, a focus on critical thinking and academic engagement, opportunities for independence and leadership, and an explicit commitment to social justice and social/ emotional learning.

About The Schoolhouse Middle School

Now in its 4th year, the Middle School program combines structured academic learning in the fundamentals—math, language arts, science, social studies, and foreign language—with field-based activities in the broader community and in the natural world. Field experiences naturally interweave with classroom activities and spawn new ideas and inquiry. Students take a lead in their own learning and, with the guidance of the middle school teachers, the curriculum becomes organically integrated and richly layered.

Job Duty Summary:

The Part Time Science Teacher will

• Instruct students in multi-age groupings, 6th through 8th grades for a maximum of 2 days per week.
• Participate in middle school staff and student advisory meetings up to an additional 3 hours a week.
• Develop a challenging and responsive science curriculum using a place- and project-based approach with an emphasis on environmental and biological science, (building upon Fall 2017).
• Seek to integrate community experts and field visits in the curriculum.
• Develop and co-teach the middle school field studies strand with the Head Teacher. In 2017-18, the theme is a study of identity and its impact on culture and society (through an anthropological lens).
• Help to support and tweak the program’s curriculum, systems promoting independence and executive functioning ,student advisory program
• Provide strength-based, age appropriate guidance to students consistent with Schoolhouse practices and the 5 Core Concepts.

• Lead by example in observing and enforcing school rules and safety regulations.
• Respect and cooperate with fellow staff, students and administration and seek to resolve problems in a manner consistent with Schoolhouse practices
• Track student learning and prepare formal and informal reports on student progress, including conducting parent-teacher conference in March and end of year student reports.

The ideal candidate will:

• Possess the desire and ability to work with middle school students in a school setting; experience in an independent school a plus.
• Commit to positive behavior management
• Possess a willingness and ability to work with multiple age levels and abilities and be able to appropriately (and creatively) differentiate instruction.
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively with children, family members, and staff.
• Be a collaborative and positive member of the middle school team.
• Request and accept supervision and guidance.
• Be flexible, good humored, enthusiastic and patient
• Possess self-motivation and humility
• Be available on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Be conversant in the national and state science standards
• Support the social and emotional growth of all students
• Provide a strong role model to students

Education and Training

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field OR equivalent experience; teaching certification a plus
• Minimum of 2 years teaching experience at the elementary and/or middle school levels (at least 1 leading a classroom); experience in independent schools and/or alternative learning environments a plus
• Understanding of principles, philosophy and practices in child development and education.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities associated with this position and its essential job functions may be considered.
• Annual professional development is required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit (on floors an chairs), talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision and the ability to monitor multiple children in indoor and outdoor settings. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds (ie, tables, chairs).

If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume and three letters of reference.  For more information about The Schoolhouse, please visit www.theschoolhousevt.org.