Science Teacher - SMS

Watertown Public Schools; Unicorn (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Watertown Public Schools seeks a dedicated Science Teacher to provide General Science instruction at Swift Middle School, fostering curiosity and rigorous inquiry for middle-school learners. The role emphasizes engaging, hands-on learning and data-driven instruction aligned with NGSS.

The successful candidate will build strong relationships with students and families, differentiate instruction, and contribute to a positive school culture focused on achievement and growth.

Qualifications

• Current State of Connecticut Teaching Certificate: #033 or #034.

Responsibilities

• Establish positive relationships with students, parents and staff.
• Completes daily assignments and all job-related responsibilities with care, accuracy and timeliness.
• Creates a student-centered classroom where every child is achieving and progressing toward potential through shared decision-making.
• Cultivates trusting relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• Sets high behavioral and academic expectations to ensure safety and engagement in science class.
• Addresses behavioral and academic needs with fairness and consistency.
• Fosters an environment where students demonstrate positive social interactions and academic risk-taking.
• Maintains knowledge of science content and uses NGSS progressions to drive instruction.
• Develops hands-on, inquiry-based lessons with multiple entry points for engagement.
• Maintains records of student progress to differentiate instruction and provide feedback.
• Engages in self-evaluation and professional growth.

Skills

Classroom management

Student assessment

NGSS knowledge

Education

CT Teaching Certificate

Job description

Science Teacher

Position Type: Middle School Teaching/ Science

Date Posted: 8/20/2026

Location: Swift Middle School

Date Available: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 09/10/2026

Position Title: Science Teacher

Position Reports To: Principal of Swift Middle School

Job ID: #2624

Internal Close Date: August 27, 2026

External Close Date: September 10, 2026

Anticipated Start Date: First day of school year is August 24, 2026

Required Certifications & Qualifications

Current State of Connecticut Teaching Certificate: #033 or #034

General Scope of Function

Watertown Public Schools is seeking a motivated and dynamic individual able to effectively teach all fundamental aspects of General Science to middle-school aged students by creating a well-rounded instructional program that promotes curiosity, perseverance, critical thinking and risk-taking.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to establish positive relationships with students, parents and staff
• Completes daily assignments and all job related responsibilities with care, accuracy and in a timely fashion.
• Creates a student-centered classroom which ensures that every child is achieving and moving towards realizing his/her potential through shared decision-making.
• Cultivates trusting and collaborative relationships with students, parents and colleagues.
• Establishes high behavioral and academic expectations for students to ensure safety and high levels of engagement in the science classroom.
• Addresses behavioral and academic needs with fairness and consistency.
• Fosters an environment where students proactively demonstrate positive social interactions, academic risk-taking and conflict-resolution skills.
• Strong content knowledge in the area of science.
• Uses knowledge of student development, the adopted curriculum/program, the learning progressions of the NGSS and multiple student data sets to drive instructional decisions to address whole group, small group and individual strengths and areas of need.
• Develops engaging and dynamic lesson plans, which includes hands-on learning, experiments and opportunities for inquiry style learning, with multiple student entry points to ensure high levels of engagement and learning for all students.
• Maintains and actively utilizes records of student progress to differentiate instruction and provide actionable feedback to students.
• Uses ongoing self-evaluation and reflection to identify areas for improvement, and takes action to improve professional practice.

Additional Duties

• Attends staff development programs, curriculum development meetings, and other professional activities.
• Performs all other duties that may be assigned by the Building Administrator(s).

Terms of Employment

• 186 days
• Based on the working agreement between the Watertown Board of Education and the Watertown Education Association

*District reserves the right to close the posting if a suitable candidate is found prior to the external closing date.