Website the_girlsms The Girls' Middle School
GMS educates girls at a crucial time in life.
The Girls’ Middle School
Imagine a school where each day is alive with learning and the spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls* during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages girls to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS: www.girlsms.org.
*At GMS, “girls” refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.
Mission
The Girls’ Middle School educates girls at a crucial time in life. We create an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished. A GMS girl discovers her strengths and expresses her voice while respecting the contributions of others.
The Position
The Girls’ Middle School is seeking a passionate middle school educator to teach science to four sections of 8th graders, collaborate closely with the 8th grade team and science department, serve as an advisor to approximately ten middle school students, and participate in a range of activities that support GMS’s innovative and engaging programming.
Teaching at GMS
At the core of GMS is our extraordinary faculty. Every teacher at GMS has a passion for working with middle school girls and believes in the fundamental value of the middle school experience. They are attentive to, value, and support every student in the school. The GMS teachers are middle school specialists and subject matter experts, bringing passion to their work and sharing it with the students. Whatever interests a GMS student – from physics to programming, sculpture to skateboarding, musical theatre to metal shop – there is an adult ready to help them advance that interest as far as they can go.
Teaching at GMS means participating in a joyful, inclusive, and respectful community of students and adults. You will be surrounded by passionate, mission-driven faculty who appreciate autonomy in creating learning experiences while thriving in a collaborative environment. Our teachers enjoy opportunities to create multi-faceted, interdisciplinary projects and participate in fun field trips and travel experiences.
Science at The Girls’ Middle School
The GMS science curriculum focuses on building science skills across students’ three years as they move through different disciplines. Eighth-grade science explores topics in physics and chemistry while building science and student skills that will support the transition to the challenges they will encounter in high school. In parallel with the chemistry and physics units, each student works on a science topic of personal interest over a five-month period, for their SciEx (Science Exploration) project. Students select a topic to explore in-depth, either by developing and conducting an experiment, using an exhibit at the Exploratorium for inspiration, or conducting research into a science topic of personal interest.
Albert Einstein said, “The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking,” and we believe that science is just that: accessible to every student. Each child’s inquisitive mind already makes them a scientist. Science is a natural process of observing phenomena, wondering how the world works, and searching for answers in order to make sense of the world. Every student at The Girls’ Middle School is a scientist who learns and practices the skills that professional scientists use in their daily endeavors. Because science is a way of understanding the world around us rather than a collection of vocabulary words and facts, the students engage in many hands-on explorations, inquiries, and projects as they explore the natural world.
Key Qualifications
● Teaching experience with middle school students preferred
● Undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study
Skills & Qualities
● Commitment to experiential, project-based learning, narrative assessment, and other progressive pedagogies
● Enthusiasm for the values and mission of The Girls’ Middle School
● Demonstrated skill designing equitable and inclusive educational experiences and learning environments that incorporate themes of diversity and belonging
● Ability to manage and leverage parent volunteers in and out of the classroom
● Openness to feedback and a growth mindset
● Eagerness and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
● Passion for supporting girls in discovering their strengths and finding their voice
● A sense of humor and love for the middle-school age
● Excellent organizational and communication skills
Equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of our mission. The Girls’ Middle School was founded on the core belief that diverse and inclusive communities are strong communities. We are committed to creating a school culture that welcomes all aspects of each individual’s identity. We welcome applications from those with experience outside the educational field. We are actively seeking individuals who value equitable education and are committed to fostering an environment of belonging for our diverse student body.
The Girls’ Middle School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis.
Compensation and Benefits:
Comprehensive Employee Health Benefits (full medical, dental & vision coverage)
Retirement matching
Access to engaging and personalized professional development
The Girls’ Middle School uses a competitive salary scale. The salary for this position ranges from $70,000 to $110,000, commensurate with experience.
Please send resume/CV and letter of interest to the Assistant Head of School, Megan Gilbuena, at employment@girlsms.org.
