Middle School Math Teacher and 5th Grade Advisor

Hillbrook School is seeking a full-time math teacher and 5th grade advisor who will teach math to two sections of 5th graders, teach two additional middle school math classes, serve as a 5th grade advisor, and participate in middle school activities that support the divisional program. This position starts in August 2022.

Hillbrook School is a junior kindergarten-8th grade independent school located on 14 acres of oak woodland in Los Gatos, CA. Founded in 1935, Hillbrook School remains deeply connected to its historical roots as a school where children are known, learning is authentic and active, and success is measured one child at a time. During the past 87 years, we have grown and evolved from a small boarding school serving wards of the state to one of the leading independent schools in the Bay Area, and yet our vision remains the same—to inspire children to achieve their dreams and reach beyond themselves to make a difference in the world. Our talented faculty delivers a program that provides 370 students of all genders with a unique blend of challenging and engaging academics, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, visual and performing arts, physical and wellness education, passion-driven projects, and opportunities to serve and partner with others in our community beyond campus.

Hillbrook School is a recognized leader in innovation, earning designation since 2010 as an Apple Distinguished School. Our 1:1 iPad program, Hub Makerspace, Center for Teaching Excellence, and Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship all stem from a commitment to implementing best practices in education. Our faculty members present at conferences across the globe each year on topics ranging from ways we have audited our curriculum for greater inclusion to research studies conducted on-campus examining the impacts of classroom design on learning. A community of highly engaged, lifelong learners, Hillbrook is intentional about, and deeply committed to, collaboration and professional growth in all facets and roles.

As noted in our Statement of Inclusivity, we strive to reflect the extraordinary diversity of Silicon Valley, and believe that educational excellence and equity depend on the creation of a diverse and inclusive community where all students, families and employees feel a full sense of membership. To live up to our JK-8 DEI Teaching Philosophy Statement, all employees contribute to developing culturally competent students and building an educational institution committed to social justice and reaching beyond. We offer a wide range of opportunities for all employees to engage in work that furthers these goals, from personal dialogues that help us understand different perspectives, to pedagogical training designed to support equitable instructional practices and build habits to disrupt bias whenever we see it. Ultimately, we hope that this work helps all of our constituents—employees, students, and families—be more aware, empathetic, globally-minded, and justice-oriented.

A highly collaborative community, we use the following norms to guide our communication with each other:

Assume good will
Come from your own experience
Be more curious than certain
Hold yourself and others capable

Our commitment to these norms makes it possible for us to partner meaningfully, disagree productively, and lean into conversations that are both challenging and generative.

Hillbrook is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, 35 minutes south of Stanford University, 30 minutes north of Santa Cruz, and 1 hour south of San Francisco. The Bay Area is home to world-class universities, museums and restaurants, farmers markets and wineries, and outstanding outdoor opportunities for biking, hiking, surfing and more.

Salaries are competitive. Benefits include: full medical, dental, and vision coverage; ample retirement planning with TIAA-CREF; a generous holiday schedule; cultural and religious holidays following each employee’s faith and culture; access to the latest state-of-the-art educational technology; and a strong commitment to engaging and personalized professional development. Hillbrook School is an equal opportunity employer. Opportunities are open to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or handicap.

5th Grade is a special year at Hillbrook, as it is the year in which students transition from Lower School to Middle School. Applicants should be excited about supporting students in this significant transition as part of a collaborative 5th grade teaching team!

Responsibilities:

– Teach two sections of 5th grade math and two sections of math in grade 6 or 7
– Advise a small group of 5th grade students, which involves:
– Teaching a 30-minute advisory period 4 mornings per week
– Following student progress and  liaising with parents as first line of communication with the school
– Advocating for students in all matters pertaining to the individual
– Facilitating student/parent/advisor learning progress conferences
– Partner closely with the 5th grade Humanities teacher and 5th grade advising team to ensure 5th grade students have a smooth transition to middle school and are supported in their developmental needs
– Implement the school’s social-emotional curriculum, which is based in Responsive Classroom, Social Thinking, and Restorative Practices
– Provide a hands-on, inquiry-based style of teaching; manage collaborative learning groups; integrate technology into the curriculum
– Actively participate in a faculty culture that is committed to being at the leading edge of K-8 education
– Teach a weekly Reach Beyond Block class focused on topics related to social entrepreneurship, DEIJ, and/or other mission-focused areas
– Chaperone 5th grade field trips, including annual overnight trip

Qualifications:

A love of middle school children
Demonstrated commitment to teaching and learning in a diverse, dynamic, progressive school community
Desire and demonstrated ability to work in a collegial, highly collaborative environment
A growth mindset, sense of humor, and excellent organizational and communication skills
Demonstrated proficiency and curiosity in educational technology
Understanding that student wellness, intellectual rigor, and a deep commitment to social impact and DEI are critical to a Hillbrook learning experience

Connect with us and learn more at www.hillbrook.org, facebook.com/hillbrook, @hillbrookschool and @HillbrookCTE on Twitter, and @hillbrookschool on Instagram. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume as pdfs to our Director of Human Resources, Rozanne Schiro (HR@hillbrook.org).