Part-time Upper School Religious Studies Teacher

National Association of Independent Schools; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

Westtown School in West Chester, PA invites applications for a part-time Upper School Religious Studies Teacher to teach three sections of World Religions 1 or World Religions 2 each semester. The successful candidate will join a team of experienced religion educators in a department that values collaboration.

The department’s work is rooted in our Quaker traditions and guided by our mission to cultivate each student’s voice and challenge them to realize their gifts.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required; advanced seminary or religious studies degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant classroom teaching experience, preferably in an independent school.
• Strong character with a team-oriented spirit and ability to connect with students from a diverse community.
• Deep commitment to an inclusive school community based on cultural competence, social justice, and respect for all voices.
• Affinity for the mission of Westtown School and Quaker values.

Responsibilities

• Develop lessons and hands-on learning activities promoting problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication while encouraging risk-taking in learning.
• Actively involve students in the classroom through group work, project-based learning, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, administrators, parents, and students.
• Help students hone critical thinking, communication, and empathy and empower them to apply these skills to others.
• Support students’ social-emotional and identity development.
• Contribute to building an inclusive school community and a program that embraces diverse cultures and perspectives.
• Integrate technology into teaching strategies and the use of a learning management system.
• Contribute to students’ development of Quaker values and engage in Quaker-aligned decision-making.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader and community member.

Skills

Classroom teaching

Collaboration

Communication

Culturally responsive teaching

Education

BA/BS degree

Advanced seminary or religious studies degree preferred

Job description

Part-time Upper School Religious Studies Teacher

Westtown School seeks an experienced teacher to teach three sections of World Religions 1 or World Religions 2 each semester. The successful candidate will join a team of experienced religion educators and professionals in a department that values collaboration. Together, the team passionately promotes religious literacy through a nondevotional and academic approach to religious studies.

The department’s work is rooted in our Quaker traditions and guided by our school's mission to cultivate each student’s voice as we challenge our students to realize their individual gifts. We seek an experienced educator who will encourage students to ask big, essential questions, find value in the study of religion for creating social change, and see the study of religion as a way to promote understanding in a religiously diverse world.

Westtown School is an independent, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia. Situated on a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers state-of-the-art facilities where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world.

Essential Responsibilities

• Develop lessons and hands-on learning activities that promote problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills while encouraging risk-taking in learning;
• Actively involve students in the classroom through group work, project-based learning, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques;
• Communicate effectively with all constituents – colleagues, administrators, parents, and students;
• Help students hone the essential skills of critical thinking, communication, and empathy, and empower them to draw out those skills in other people;
• Support students’ social-emotional and identity development;
• Contribute to building and sustaining an inclusive school community and a program that embodies diverse cultures and perspectives;
• Integrate technology seamlessly into teaching strategies and practices, including the use of a learning management system;
• Contribute to students’ development of Quaker values;
• Engage in decision-making aligned with Quaker process in service to the school community;
• Enthusiastically seek out and participate in both school-sponsored and self-selected professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader and community member.

Qualifications

• A BA or BS degree is required; an advanced seminary or religious studies degree is preferred;
• A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant classroom teaching experience, preferably in an independent school;
• A strong character with a team-oriented spirit, and the ability to connect meaningfully with students throughout our diverse community;
• A deep commitment to enhancing an inclusive school community based on cultural competence, commitment to social justice, and respect for all voices;
• Strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an educational philosophy consistent with the school’s Quaker values.

For additional information about Westtown School and to explore current career opportunities, please visit our website, westtown.edu/careers. Interested applicants can apply online by submitting their resume, cover letter, and three professional references directly to the specific job posting on the faculty employment portal.