6th Grade English and 7th Grade History Teacher

6th Grade English and 7th Grade History Teacher

Full-Time Position Beginning August 2022

Mark Day School seeks a collaborative, innovative educator with a passion for teaching English and history to middle school students. Join us and teach in a community characterized by academic excellence, student-centered teaching methods, close collaboration between colleagues, a block schedule, a 1:1 laptop program, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusivity, and anti-racist education. Teachers nurture, engage, and challenge all learners by mixing traditional best practices with progressive, student-centered approaches such as project-based learning, student-centered inquiry, and inclusive discussion formats. The successful applicant for this position will help advance the school’s mission with positive energy, creativity, dedication to a diverse and equitable community, love for children, a strong work ethic, and a desire to collaborate in partnership with the wider school community.

In their study of English, students critically engage with a wide variety of texts including whole-class novels, small group novels, and independently selected works including plays, short stories, and poetry. They develop effective and powerful written communication, including analytical, narrative, and creative writing. They also build public speaking and group discussion skills. History students learn to apply knowledge to better understand the present, pose thoughtful questions about the past, present, and future, research and critically evaluate sources and construct historical arguments and interpretations. They also learn to analyze the impact of bias and injustice in the world and take stands on social justice issues in their everyday lives. 7th graders explore ancient civilizations and their impact on world history through the study of West African Kingdoms, the rise of Islam, Medieval Europe, and Mesoamerica.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

• Teach three sections of 6th Grade English and one section of 7th Grade History.
• Challenge all students with high academic and behavioral expectations while maintaining a climate of responsibility, safety, kindness, enthusiasm and fun.
• Model personal standards of excellence: warmth, clarity of expectations, consistency and accountability.
• Participate fully in a learning community committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist education.
• Employ equitable and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Apply a wide range of highly effective approaches to teaching, balancing enduring and innovative best practices.
• Collaborate actively with department colleagues in English and history.
• Engage in ongoing professional development.
• Serve as a homeroom teacher to one section of 6th grade students to facilitate their overall growth and development and partner with parents/guardians regarding student progress.
• Form supportive and responsive relationships with students and families.
• Differentiate instruction to challenge every learner and provide constructive, timely feedback that fosters a growth mindset.
• Build a strong, positive classroom community in which students advocate for themselves and others.
• Use school technologies to enhance student learning, faculty collaboration, and responsive communication.
• Work with learning specialists, counselors, and parents when necessary to design differentiated programs for students who require specialized support.
• Collaborate with colleagues to carry forward major project initiatives in the cross-disciplinary literacies as well as enhance the students’ overall experience.
• Observe, evaluate, encourage and monitor students’ academic and social development and progress.
• Communicate proactively and regularly with students, parents, and colleagues regarding students’ progress and needs.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• Back to School Night
• Parent information evenings
• Admission tours, open houses, and assessments
• Committee work
• Weekly faculty meetings
• Recess supervision
• Chaperone 6th grade outdoor education trip

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Relevant teaching experience with a minimum of two years preferred
• Relevant subject area knowledge in English and history
• Proven track record of working effectively to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in a community committed to diversity, equity, and social justice.
• Strong skills with curriculum design, initiative, follow-through, organization, collaboration, and communication.

More About Mark Day School

Mark Day School is an independent, all-gender, K-8 school located in the Bay Area in San Rafael, CA, with an enrollment of 380 students. Innovative, inclusive, and full of heart, Mark Day School unites an enriched, challenging academic program with a kind and inclusive community. The school nurtures a love of learning, engagement in the community, and development of compassion and an ethical framework. Students learn and practice the intellectual, social, and emotional skills they will apply to the unique challenges and opportunities of their time; graduates stand out not only for their intellectual curiosity and pursuit of ideas but also for their joy of learning and a deep sense of responsibility to be active, engaged citizens.

Mark Day School has established a consistent practice of thoughtful innovation in its curricular program, focusing on current century skills and concepts including four cross-disciplinary literacies: cross-cultural literacy, media and information literacy, eco-literacy, and social and emotional literacy. Highlights include the award-winning Media Literacy program; well-established local and global partnerships with the Hamilton School, Marin Head Start, eSibonisweni School and Kliptown Youth Program in South Africa, and Beijing Experimental Primary School #2 in China, and Pan American School in Costa Rica, among others; Boxlight and FrontRow technology in every classroom, with a one-to-one laptop program beginning in sixth grade; Mandarin and Spanish language beginning in kindergarten; an integrated Social and Emotional Learning program; a commitment to differentiation across the school; and more.

Mark Day School is a vibrant and diverse community, and all community members continue to work towards the furthering of an inclusive and supportive school. Mark Day School is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and multiculturalism. Mark Day School salary and benefits are very competitive by both NAIS and regional standards. For more information about Mark Day School, please visit our website (www.markdayschool.org)

Interested candidates should visit our website and send a letter of interest and resume via email to usresumes@markdayschool.org