Upper School History Teacher – Leave Position
THE POSITION
We are seeking a full-time history leave teacher position for the Upper School beginning in fall 2024 and running through mid-fall. Responsibilities include teaching, advising a small group of students, participating in curriculum development and design, as well as contributing to the life of the Upper School.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS
For all Park School positions, quality of mind and a 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 the assumptions of progressive education is essential. We also seek teachers who will tend to student’s diverse academic, emotional, and social needs. Finally, we seek teachers who will engage fully in this professional role, as our curriculum develops over time. In terms of academic and work experience, we seek candidates who have:
- A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in history, or a closely related field.
- Experience teaching history in a classroom setting at the high school level.
- An orientation to a progressive philosophy.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, in a variety of contexts.
- Demonstrated experience and/or openness with technology that support current best practices.
- Commitment to ongoing conversations about professional growth and to considering the study and practice of history from different perspectives.
- Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency work with teenagers.
- Openness to cross-divisional teaching preferred.
Ideal candidates will be knowledgeable in some area(s) related to history of the United States and/or global studies and have experience teaching active, student-centered classes. They may also have the opportunity to contribute to the history department’s vibrant elective program. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
HISTORY DEPARTMENT STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Park School history department considers the ultimate goal of historical study at the secondary level to be the formation of attitudes and skills that enable students to understand the world around them so that they can constructively participate in a democratic society. We encourage young people to recognize the non-objective nature of information and to take time to seek out and compare alternative contentions in arriving logically at personal positions concerning the key issues of their world.
The emphasis in course organization is generally on historical problems. Assignments include a discriminating analysis of both primary sources and secondary interpretations. We employ a variety of readings and teaching techniques to stimulate and develop effective self-expression, both written and oral. Basic historical research skills are taught in required courses, culminating in a major research project each year.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park’s salary and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading area 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:
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
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.
