Upper School English & Drama Teacher

Havergal College; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent school seeks a passionate English & Drama Teacher for a full-time, four-month contract. This role offers the chance to inspire young women and contribute to a vibrant educational environment. With a commitment to inclusive teaching practices, you'll engage students in dynamic classes while collaborating with a supportive faculty. The school values professional development, providing opportunities for growth and innovation in teaching. Join a community dedicated to fostering leadership, critical thinking, and a love for learning in a beautiful campus setting.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health Benefits

Pension Plan Contributions

Professional Development Support

Generous Holidays

Beautiful Campus Facilities

Qualifications

• Relevant university qualifications including a Bachelor of Education.
• Certification from the Ontario College of Teachers required.
• Strong understanding of current educational practices.

Responsibilities

• Direct the annual play and manage technical aspects of production.
• Collaborate with teaching teams to enhance curriculum.
• Maintain open relationships with parents for student success.

Skills

Curriculum Development

Classroom Management

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor of Arts (English)

Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)

Bachelor of Education

Job description

We seek an individual inspired by our mission, whose beliefs align with our core values of integrity, compassion, inquiry, and courage, and who reflects our core competencies to join our Upper School as an English & Drama Teacher. This is a full-time, four (4) month contract position starting in September 2025.

Why Teach with Us

At Havergal College, we believe that our strength lies in our faculty and staff’s collective efforts, talents, and accomplishments. Together, we can make a positive and lasting impact on our students’ lives.

We offer a highly competitive compensation package for teachers, including a faculty teaching grid that is well above the major urban school boards; contributions to and participation in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and/or Group RSP; generous holidays that allow employees to recharge; comprehensive health and dental benefits; support for professional development including support for graduate work, additional qualifications (AQs), faculty-wide and individual professional development in teaching and learning, wellbeing, equity and inclusion, assessment, and experiential education; and teaching on a beautiful 22-acre campus with excellent facilities.

Why Havergal is the Place to Be

Founded in 1894 and located on a beautiful 22-acre campus in midtown Toronto, Canada, Havergal College is one of Canada’s pre-eminent independent schools for girls from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.
At Havergal College, we believe great schools are made up of great people. With a rich history spanning over 130 years, we are committed to offering a contemporary liberal arts education rooted in the Anglican tradition.Our mission is to prepare young women to make a difference. Through our outstanding academic and co-curricular programs and a cohesive and collegial team of faculty and administration staff, we nurture a culture of capability that fosters self-confidence, leadership, critical thinking and global-mindedness within our students.

We take pride in attracting and retaining highly qualified faculty and administration staff to ensure our school remains at the forefront of educational excellence. Join us in this transformative education journey, working together to empower young women to make a positive difference in our world.

We arecommitted to building a diverseand inclusive workplace.We believe that an inclusive environment fosters a culture of mutual respect, creativity and innovation, collaboration and accountability. To this end, we encourage applications from all qualified candidates with diverse experiences and perspectives, including women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) peoples, LGBTQ2S+, and persons with disabilities to join our thriving team. We seek candidates committed to nurturing a community where integrity, compassion, inquiry and courage thrive.

The Position

The Upper School program at Havergal College is distinguished by opportunities for students to develop and learn in a diverse, stimulating and supportive environment. Teaching facilities are well-equipped and offer bright, technology-rich environments.

Experienced Intermediate/Senior teachers at Havergal College are confident in curriculum development and demonstrate an approach to teaching that reflects how girls learn. They support all learners with diverse strategies and approaches and are willing and able to use appropriate solutions to learning challenges experienced by students. Teachers optimize the use of the technology to support student learning. Classes are engaging and dynamic; teachers genuinely enjoy their work and are approachable, available, knowledgeable, genuine and supportive.

As members of the Upper School faculty, teachers engage in the work of the Upper School in a collegial and supportive manner. They demonstrate an understanding of the importance of parents as partners in their daughter’s education by maintaining open and collaborative relationships with parents. As life-long learners, they demonstrate a commitment to actively seeking professional development. Teachers actively participate in the life of the school beyond the classroom.

The Upper School program at Havergal College is distinguished by opportunities for students to develop and learn in a rigorous and supportive environment. Teaching facilities are well-equipped, including our specialized Drama Studio and 220-seat Legacy Theater.

Specific Accountabilities

• Take a leadership role in directing the annual play, including selecting the play for the 2025-26 school year, and taking an active role in technical aspects of the production in cooperation with the Technical Production Coordinator.
• Collaborate with English and Drama teaching teams to continuously enhance the program in ways informed by evidence-based practice, committed to vertical alignment, and with a spirit of collegiality.
• Collaborate with English and Drama teaching teams to continuously enhance the curriculum to reflect multiple and intersectional identities, including texts and characters of historically marginalized communities, to offer students both mirrors and windows for discovery.
• Deliver engaging and dynamic classes built on a foundation of ongoing professional development.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of parents as partners in their child’s education by maintaining open and collaborative relationships with the parent community.
• Demonstrate energy, commitment, and a readiness to participate in the co-curricular program and the diverse life of the school community.

Planning and Preparation of Learning

• Understand how to use knowledge of student developmental stages and current educational research to make appropriate and thoughtful instructional decisions in teaching English and Drama.
• Work in collaboration with the Upper School Department Head to develop content knowledge and to deliver a consistent, aligned and rigorous program of study.
• Develop effective long-range, unit and lesson plans that demonstrate the principles of a teaching for understanding framework and reflect the Ontario curriculum expectations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of assessment principles reflective of current assessment practices.
• Work in collaboration with other faculty to develop integrated units of study.
• Model best practices using technology in the classroom to help support the curriculum and student’s developmental stages.

Setting the Learning Environment

• Demonstrate compassion, acceptance, insight and interest in developing students’ potential and capacity.
• Model the school’s values through actions and words when dealing with students, parents, and other adults in the school.
• Demonstrate an understanding that students learn through active intellectual engagement.
• Create a trusting learning environment for students by acting consistently, fairly, openly and honestly and having clear expectations for all students.
• Ensure appropriate behaviour in the classroom and on school property.
• Create a learning environment where student thinking is visible, valued and part of their everyday experiences.
• Create a safe and engaging learning space reflective of the developmental needs of students.

Instructional Practices

• Ensure instructional practices reflect advanced planning and preparation and the available time.
• Ensure that questions and instructional strategies help promote student thinking and extend their understanding, knowledge, and skills.
• Use relevant pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, resources and technology in planning for and responding to students’ needs.
• Ensure student learning is appropriately documented and reported.

Professional Responsibilities

• Uphold the professional and ethical standards of practice defined by the Ontario College of Teachers.
• Actively participate in professional growth activities (membership in professional learning communities, completing professional reading, setting professional learning goals).
• Maintain consistent, professional, supporting and encouraging relationships with colleagues.
• Ensure compliance with all school policies and practices and maintain all required documentation.
• Maintain an open line of communication with parents and work with them as partners in their daughter’s educational journey.
• Actively participate in the life of the school outside of the classroom.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant university qualifications at the Bachelor level (e.g. Bachelor of Arts (English) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) or equivalent), including a Bachelor of Education/Master of Teaching degree with Intermediate/Senior qualifications in English and Drama;
• Certification from the Ontario College of Teachers and a member in ‘Good Standing’.
• Relevant teaching experience within a classroom setting.
• A comprehensive understanding of current educational practices in curriculum planning, implementation, assessment, and instructional strategies.
• Understanding of how to apply the current research on girls and learning.
• Knowledge of differing learning needs and strategies for supporting all kinds of learners.
• A commitment toward continued professional development and growth.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, time-management and communication skills.
• Self-starter, able to work in a self-directed manner appropriate to changing needs.
• A proven commitment to working successfully in collaborative environments.
• Experience in an independent school is an asset.
• Energy, commitment and a readiness to participate in the co-curricular program and the diverse life of the school community.

Demonstrated ability and commitment to the Core Competencies of:

• Integrity & Trust
• Learning Agility
• Communication
• Growth Mindset

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and express their interest to HC Careers no later than May 19, 2025. This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Havergal College thanks all applicants in advance.Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Havergal College is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process.If you require accommodations, please contact Cathy LeBlanc at 416-483-3519 ext. 6526 or by email at [e-mail] .