Interim Middle School Science Teacher - Grade 5

The Fessenden School; Newton (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent school seeks a passionate Interim Grade 5 Science Teacher to inspire young minds through innovative, student-centered teaching. This role involves creating engaging lessons that foster curiosity and critical thinking, while promoting an inclusive and equitable classroom environment. The school values character development, encouraging educators to integrate core values into their teaching. Join a supportive community that emphasizes professional growth and collaboration, where your contributions will make a significant impact on students' educational journeys.

Benefits

Professional Development Budget

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Daily Hot Lunch

Supportive Community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills to connect with students and families.
• Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement engaging science lessons for middle school students.
• Foster a dynamic classroom environment that promotes curiosity.
• Integrate core values of honesty, compassion, and respect into teaching.

Skills

Student-Centered Teaching

Classroom Management

Communication Skills

Project-Based Learning

Science Curriculum Development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree in Education or Science

Tools

Educational Technology

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: The Fessenden School - West Newton, MA

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: Undisclosed

Job Category: Exempt / Salaried

Description

About Us

The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.

Position Summary

The Interim Grade 5 Science Teacher is a passionate, innovative, and collaborative educator who engages boys through dynamic, student-centered teaching. This teacher will join a dedicated team to inspire students to think critically about scientific principles and their real-world applications. At Fessenden we strive to have each classroom foster an inclusive and equitable environment that reflects the School’s mission and core values of honesty, compassion, and respect.

The role involves teaching 4 classes of 12 to 15 boys, collaborating with the 6th grade team, and advising a small group of students. The curriculum emphasizes skills including: conducting experiments, analyzing data, and engaging in project-based learning (PBL) to deepen students' scientific understanding and critical thinking.

Position: InterimMiddle School Science Teacher - Grade 5
Reports to:Head of Middle School
Status:Full Time, Benefits Eligible
FLSA Status:Exempt
Schedule:Orientation August 18th & 19th; School year assignment dates from August 25th, 2025 - end of February 2026 (with the flexibility to extend assignment into March, if neccessary);Mon - Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm; Some required meetings throughout the year are scheduled from 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach and Inspire:
  • Design and implement engaging science lessons that bring scientific concepts to life, fostering curiosity and a love for discovery.
  • Ability to teach Earth and Environmental Science, Physical Science, or Biology while leveraging hands-on experiments to enhance understanding.
  • Foster a dynamic classroom environment where students feel challenged and supported in their learning.
• Build Relationships:
  • Build meaningful connections with students, inspiring confidence, curiosity, and perseverance in scientific exploration.
  • Create a supportive environment where all students feel valued.
• Integrate Core Values:
  • Actively teach and model the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect to nurture students' academic and character development.
• Differentiated Instruction:
  • Utilize various modes of instruction and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
  • Use formative and summative assessments to guide instruction and evaluate student progress.
  • Design assignments and projects that accommodate a range of abilities and interests.
• Innovate and Collaborate:
  • Incorporate project-based learning (PBL) rich with laboratory investigations, educational technology, and cross-curricular connections to create a dynamic and engaging classroom experience.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen program offerings.
• Promote Inclusion:
  • Integrate diverse perspectives, cultural competency, and inclusive practices into lessons, ensuring all students feel valued and represented.
• Mentor and Advise:
  • Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional growth, goal-setting, and academic progress over the time they spend in the Upper School.
• Contribute to Community:
  • Actively participate in the life of the school by attending meetings, grade-level activities, and school events.
  • Support extracurricular programs such as coaching sports, facilitating clubs, or leading grade trips.
• Professional Development:
  • Pursue professional development opportunities provided by the school and beyond, staying abreast of best practices in science education and teaching methodologies.

Qualifications and Characteristics

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to create a student-centered classroom that fosters academic rigor, engagement, and positive relationships.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to connect with boys and collaborate with families and colleagues.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching practices.
• Ability to provide various instructional practices to meet the learning needs of diverse learners.
• Successful criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, science, or related field.
• Master’s degree in education, science, or related field.
• 2+ years of teaching experience with middle school students or an equivalent age group.
• Experience with project-based learning and educational technology integration.
• Prior experience working in an all-boys school or understanding of boys’ developmental needs.

Why Join Us?

The Fessenden School offers:

• A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community that supports creative teaching methods.
• A robust professional development budget that provides for school support professional growth and collaboration opportunities.
• A focus on educating the whole boy—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities; Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts.
• Daily hot lunch and assorted salad bar options.

• Class sizes from 12 to 15 students

• Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to walk, stand, sit, and engage actively with students in a classroom setting.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

To Apply

Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Qualifications