Middle School French and Spanish Teacher
THE POSITION
We are seeking a full-time French and Spanish teacher for Park’s Middle School beginning in fall 2024. A full-time position includes teaching four sections of French and/or Spanish and running an advisory group of about 10 students. The Middle School Modern Language Department’s approach to teaching emphasizes oral communication, cultural awareness, and student-centered activities. The chief goal of our program is for students to learn how, when, and why to say what to whom, in either language. Enjoyment of language and culture and confidence in one’s speaking ability are the main emphases of the Middle School program. We seek a teacher who is both willing to embrace this approach to language teaching and also willing to collaborate with the rest of the department to enhance our curriculum.
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 840 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
Responsibilities will include designing fun and engaging courses; providing feedback to students, advisees, and parents; writing report cards; and attending divisional, departmental, and grade level meetings. The hired faculty member will join a diverse, creative, dynamic, collaborative, and supportive Modern Language Department.
CONTEXT
Park’s Middle School has 200 students in grades six through eight. Each grade level in the Middle School has a theme: the sixth grade theme is community, seventh grade explores identity, and the eighth grade theme is advocacy. Thematic connections are made across disciplines at all grade levels. The Middle School faculty has engaged in significant professional development work in differentiated instruction, adolescent cognitive development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity.
QUALIFICATIONS
For all Park School positions, quality of mind, passion for teaching, and working with students are essential qualifications. While new faculty come from a variety of independent and public school backgrounds, commitment to educational approaches compatible with Park’s progressive philosophy is essential. Finally, we seek teachers who will engage fully in this professional role, with ongoing involvement in collaborative work to develop and assess curriculum, and to meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs. In addition, the following qualifications are desirable in a candidate:
- Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
- Native/near-native fluency in French and Spanish
- Knowledge of French and Spanish-speaking cultures, preferably from experience(s) living abroad
- Teaching experience at the middle school level (3+ years preferred) and a commitment to working with this age group
- Knowledge and application of varied and creative teaching methods in the spirit of progressive education
- Familiarity with a culture-driven approach and Understanding by Design is desirable
- Experience teaching students with a variety of learning profiles
- Demonstrated interest in curriculum development, assessment, and differentiated instruction
- Computer literacy and experience in integrating technology
- Personal skills necessary to work collaboratively with colleagues in a school-wide department
- Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply
- Openness to cross-divisional teaching preferred
SALARY & BENEFITS
Park’s salary and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading local independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.
In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
- Faculty and Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: This program supports summer professional work by faculty on a distinctive scale. Established in 1989, FACA is supported by a $5.6 million endowment; currently, over 40% of all Park faculty participate in projects annually. Grants cover full salary and benefits for group or individual projects selected through a formal review process.
- Tuition Remission: Under current policy, employees who have been at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. All candidates, including employee children, must meet Park’s standards for admission. During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for aid through the need-based tuition assistance program.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Due to the large volume of incoming résumés, we cannot accept phone calls. Interested candidates are asked to send a letter of interest, personal statement, résumé, and list of references via email or US mail.
CONTACT
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School of Baltimore
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
academicresources@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.
COVID-19 – Please note: Park School currently requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination, subject to legally required exemptions, as a condition of employment.
