Website Prospect Sierra School Prospect Sierra School
Prospect Sierra School
Overview of School:
Prospect Sierra is an independent, coed TK–8 school located on two campuses in El Cerrito, California, serving 465 students. Prospect Sierra gives students the tools to build a better world by integrating rigorous academics with a deep understanding of human emotions. Every day our exceptional teachers connect students’ academic experiences to ethics, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. The result is deeper intellectual engagement, greater self-knowledge, and compassionate relationships. Prospect Sierra students develop the courage to become more than great students, but great people. Please visit our website, www.prospectsierra.org, for more information.
Overview of Position
This position is for a 6th grade advisor and humanities teacher, beginning August 2023. This teacher will report to the Middle School Division Head and will work in close collaboration with the 6th grade team and the humanities department. This is a full time teaching position.
Responsibilities of the job:
Plan, deliver, and evaluate daily lessons for 6th grade humanities classes – approximately two groups of 18 students.
Work closely with the other 6th grade humanities teacher to ensure all 6th grade students have a similar experience and meet the same benchmarks
Create meaningful relationships and an inclusive classroom community
Conduct ongoing effective communication with a diverse group of parents and participate in parent-teacher conferences
Write narrative reports twice a year
Lead a 6th grade advisory: plan and lead daily morning meetings, communicate with families directly, provide academic/social emotional support for each individual, partner with other teachers and staff as needed to support each advisee in their overall success at school
Collaborate with the 6th Grade Team to ensure cohesive delivery of subject and advisory curriculum and coordinated support of the 6th grade needs and challenges
Chaperone a student overnight field trip
Proctor study hall
Teach a weekly elective
Support the admissions team in admitting new 6th graders into our middle school by engaging in special events, screening, committee work, etc.
Required Qualifications
A passionate commitment to creating an innovative, joyful environment for students
Appreciation for and desire to work with middle school students
Demonstrated understanding of best practices in upper middle school education
Ability to learn and deliver a dynamic curriculum
Knowledge of educational technology to support teaching and learning
Ability to use and learn how to use various tech platforms such as Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Forms), Slack, Parentsquare, Classkick, etc.
Ability and desire to co-create new curriculum that is aligned with the mission of the school
Ability to design, facilitate, and assess project-based learning
Ability to guide students through a multi-step writing process from ideas to revision and in a variety of formats (expository, thesis driven, literary analysis, creative)
Ability to guide students through the research process using books, interviews with experts, and on-line resources
Ability to create and deliver lessons focused on DEI/social justice issues and ideas
Awareness of differentiated learning and teaching styles and ability to work with Learning Specialists to support a diverse student body
Knowledge of the essential role social emotional literacy plays in the workplace and interest in application of SEL within the educational setting
Ability to take initiative, take on leadership roles as needed, and collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies
Ability to foster strong parent connections to support students and curriculum
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Flexibility
Excellent interpersonal skills and organizational skills
Nuanced understanding of DEI/social justice knowledge from a personal or programmatic perspective
Knowledge of identity safe and anti-bias educational practices and ability to create an inclusive classroom community that allows for a multitude of perspectives to be heard and respected
In addition to required qualifications, desirable additional skills include:
Master’s degree in education, or relevant coursework or certification indicating advanced knowledge in areas related to the responsibilities of the job
Training in or familiarity with using 6+1 Traits of Writing
Training in or familiarity with Project Based Learning
Training in or familiarity with Responsive Classroom
School-wide Duties
Participation on committees as needed and appropriate
Ancillary duties include responsibilities that are part of middle school life, e.g., team and staff meetings, attendance at school functions, chaperoning school trips, committee work, recess duties, etc.
Salary:
Salary is competitive. Benefits included. See pay scale here.
How to Apply
Email a resume, a one-page cover letter, and a list of three references with contact information to: Nathan Tanaka, Middle School Division Head
Email: avisjobs@prospectsierra.org (include “6th Grade Humanities Teacher” in the subject line)
Prospect Sierra School is an equal opportunity employer. Our community is diverse in many ways, inclusive of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender spectrum, age, ability, and more. We welcome and value the same in our faculty and staff.
