This role is available for immediate placement during the 2019–2020 academic year.
Phillips Brooks School (PBS) offers an opportunity for science-focused educators to teach the scientific method and deliver STEM-based education to young learners ages 5 to 11. Our approach is distinctive for elementary schools because science at PBS is taught in a first-rate lab by a science-trained instructor. The Science Teacher, reporting to the Director of 3rd–5th Grades and Specialists, will support the strategy and execution required to meet the school’s goal of delivering a rigorous science program that grows curious and critical student-scientists and prepares them for middle school and beyond.
Teaching in a fully lab-based program and teaching only science, the Science Teacher is responsible for building and delivering a curriculum full of rich experiences and for teaching students of all levels to be great scientists through substantial and rewarding instruction in the scientific method. The Science Teacher will work with faculty and staff teams to enable curricular and program innovation and growth so that we can ensure that our curriculum meets all of our current and future science teaching and learning needs.
We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities and are committed to an inclusive work environment. You'll have an opportunity to contribute to an upbeat, growth-oriented professional learning community that appreciates collaboration, creativity, and an innovative approach to all aspects of school life. We strive daily to uphold our mission and core values of kindness, courage, community, and love of learning
For more information on Phillips Brooks School, please visit: www.phillipsbrooks.org
Top Focus Areas for the Role
- Build and deliver a K–5 curriculum defined by hands-on and collaborative science explorations and informed by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in physical, life, and earth–space sciences.
- Drive curricular innovation by developing and delivering rigorous, project-based STEM instruction that focuses on the integration of new learning technologies, robotics, neuroscience, and engineering topics.
- Create a positive, inspiring, student-centered learning environment that encourages inquiry, productive failure, and risk-taking through the essential learning skills of creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
- Be a thought-leader in designing and building a new Invention Program at PBS, for launch in 2020, that will continue to grow top-rate scientists and engineers from our program while revolutionizing how people think about elementary science education.
Other Position Responsibilities
- Plan and oversee field trips that complement the science curriculum, ideally one per grade each year.
- Collaborate with other subject and classroom teachers to develop and implement cross-curricular experiences and science events that allow students to demonstrate their mastery including, but not limited to, empathy-driven projects, academic competitions, and community showcases.
- Support the professional growth of the Science Associate Teacher with clear expectations, instructive demonstrations, opportunities for collaboration, and constructive feedback.
- Maintain ongoing communications, formal and informal, with parents, teachers, and administrators about science curriculum, student progress, and specific learning needs and the social–emotional development of each student.
- Engage in ongoing professional development to keep up with best practices and resources in science education by attending relevant conferences, staying current on STEM+ educational literature, and maintaining an active professional network of colleagues, in order to inform and enrich the student experience.
Science Program Philosophy & Practices
Read more about how we teach science: PBS Science Program Philosophy & Practices
Key Attributes and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, with either a science concentration or 3–5 years of experience in a related field; master’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated passion for STEM education with a commitment to preschool to 5th-grade education.
- Ability to establish a classroom environment with clear and consistent routines and expectations to promote student autonomy and engagement.
- Eagerness to take the initiative in leading program development, working both independently and collectively for the betterment of our school, while also staying connected to our students through creative and dynamic science teaching.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with a strong focus on taking educational concepts and effectively translating them to reach a variety of audiences.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to effectively manage deadlines and multiple tasks.
- Strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills; must be an active listener and open-minded collaborator.
How to Apply
Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three to five references (including current supervisor). Please combine all documents into a single PDF and send to employment@phillipsbrooks.org. The subject line should read: Science Teacher – [your last name].
- Faculty