Middle School Science Teacher – Leave Position
THE POSITION
We are seeking an experienced teacher with a strong science background and a demonstrated commitment to working with Middle School students. This full-time leave position includes teaching four sections of sixth grade Earth & Environmental Science in an inquiry-based science program. The curriculum will focus on a climate and climate change unit and then prepare students for a stream study, which includes ecology/ecosystems, watersheds, and stream health indicators.
In addition to teaching, the faculty member will serve as an advisor to a group of students and will be a full participant in the life of the Middle School. This position runs from late January through early May.
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 856 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.
In Middle School science class, students are encouraged to think, explore, and behave like scientists. Science is an ongoing, evolving discipline, not simply a body of facts, and the more students are able to participate in the scientific process, the more keenly they come to understand this. Students are introduced to a variety of investigations and current events that enable them to explore natural phenomena while learning to collect and interpret data, devise hypotheses, and develop theories. Laboratory facilities enable all Middle School students to have the opportunity to work in a contemporary lab environment. Multi-day field trips and extended group or independent projects are important components of the program.
Middle School science faculty develop curriculum and teach with the understanding that students need to be informed, curious, motivated, patient, creative, and collaborative to discover and invent through careful methods designed to produce evidence that supports or refutes theories. The Park School is committed to modes of teaching that enable students to build scientific knowledge and understanding through inquiry, testing of hypotheses, exploration, and experimentation. The program emphasizes depth over breadth, with a focus on central concepts and key skills, and application of knowledge to real life problems. Integration of science with mathematics and technology, as well as with other disciplines, is stressed. Ethical and social implications of science receive serious attention.
The current Middle School program includes a full year of Earth Science in 6th Grade, Physical Science in 7th Grade, and Life Sciences in 8th Grade.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
- Formal training in science (B.A./B.S. minimum; M.A. preferred)
- Teaching experience at the middle school level (3+ years preferred)
- Commitment to working with adolescents and to teaching in the middle school
- Substantial knowledge of science pedagogy and curriculum
- Demonstrated interest in curriculum development, assessment, and differentiated instruction
- Computer literacy and experience in integrating technology
- Personal skills needed to work collaboratively with department members, other middle school faculty, and science faculty across divisions
- Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Send a letter of interest, personal statement, résumé, and list of references.
CONTACT
Priscilla Morales, Associate Head of School
The Park School
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.
