Middle School Science Teacher

Lake Forest Country Day School; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent day school is seeking a passionate Middle School Science teacher for the 2025-26 school year. This role involves teaching a diverse curriculum that emphasizes lab-based activities and encourages student engagement through hands-on learning. The ideal candidate will foster a collaborative environment, communicate effectively with students and parents, and contribute to curriculum development. This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire young minds in a supportive and innovative educational setting, where creativity and teamwork are valued, and every student is known and challenged.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred with experience in middle school science teaching.
• Confidence in presenting scientific content dynamically.

Responsibilities

• Teach four middle school science sections with a focus on lab-based activities.
• Communicate regularly with students and parents about academic progress.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development and integration.

Skills

Dynamic presentation of scientific content

Integration of math and writing instruction

Establishing routines for executive function

Comfort with technology in the classroom

Education

Master’s degree in Education or Science

Experience teaching middle school science

Job description

LFCDS, located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, independent day school serving 400 students from age 2 through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children feel known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, academic rigor, and attention to individual needs.

The Opportunity

Lake Forest Country Day School is seeking a Middle School Science teacher for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. The current curriculum includes a study of Life, Physical, and Earth science. As a department, we stress the importance of lab-based activities with a variety of both formative and summative assessment strategies. The position is for fifth grade, which currently includes the study of Matter and Energy in Ecosystems and Organisms, the Structure and Properties of Matter, Human Structure and Processes, and Earth's Systems. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ ability to design and carry out laboratory investigations, apply and interpret models, construct scientific explanations, and engage in arguments based on evidence. There is a significant amount of autonomy and creativity related to the delivery of instruction while maintaining departmental collaboration and curricular continuity.

Position Description

1. Teach four middle school science sections
2. Engage in regular goal-setting and curricular integration conversations
3. Model and help students establish routines and strategies to support executive functioning
4. Communicate regularly with students and parents about academic progress
5. Member of the Science Department
6. Engage in dialogue with other members of the faculty to foster a collaborative spirit
7. Attend regular department meetings
8. Work collaboratively with the other members of the department on curriculum development
9. Plan and revise curriculum as needed
10. Work as part of the department, ensuring that teamwork, flexibility, sense of humor, and creative problem-solving remain important
11. Member of the Faculty
12. Serve as an academic advisor
13. Facilitate and implement transition support for incoming students from Lower School
14. Attend regular team meetings
15. Collaborate with Head of Upper School to establish professional growth areas of focus
16. Write narrative progress reports
17. Communicate regularly with students about their progress
18. Perform all non-teaching duties assigned by the Head of Upper School

Preferred Qualifications

• Confidence in presenting scientific content in a dynamic, student-centric way
• Ability to integrate math and writing instruction as needed as a means to support the development of analytical skills
• Model and help students establish routines and strategies to support their executive function
• Comfort and experience with technology and its use in the classroom
• A master’s degree and/or previous experience teaching middle school science

Individuals interested should email a cover letter and resume (PDFs please) to Steve Robnick, Head of Upper School ([e-mail])