SY25-26 Middle School Science Teacher (Grades 5-8)

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a Middle School Lead Science Teacher to inspire young minds through inquiry-based learning. This role emphasizes the importance of a restorative justice approach and the development of conflict resolution skills in students. As a teacher, you will collaborate with colleagues to create dynamic and engaging curricula, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive. This is a chance to be part of a transformative educational experience, where your commitment to anti-racist practices and reflective teaching will help shape the future of education. Join a community dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching!

Benefits

Health Care Options

Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Supplemental Insurance

Pre-tax Public Transportation Benefit

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge in progressive, constructivist education.
• DC Teaching certification and relevant Praxis exams preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate inquiry-based classrooms and high-quality instruction.
• Engage in professional development and build relationships with families.

Skills

Reflective Practice

Conflict Resolution Skills

Cultural Competence

Differentiation Strategies

Classroom Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

DC Teaching Certification

Tools

Lesson Planning Tool

Job description

School Mission

At the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, a professional learning community of master teachers and teacher residents ensures that a diverse group of students achieve their potential as accomplished learners, thoughtful citizens, and imaginative and inquisitive problem solvers through a demanding, inquiry-based curriculum. With its clear mission and prominent location in Washington, DC, the school serves as a model of instruction for students and training for teachers, with the goal of becoming a leader in changing the way teachers are prepared and supported and students are educated nationwide.

Job Purpose

Teachers in the middle school facilitate inquiry-based classrooms that allow students to tackle standards in a variety of ways. Teachers take a developmentally responsive approach and use their understanding of young adolescents as the foundation on which all decisions are made. Using the principles of restorative justice and Responsive Classroom, teachers help students problem solve and develop conflict resolution skills. Middle school teachers hold high expectations for each student and engage students in thoughtful, meaningful work, taking pride in advocating for each student’s right to learn and providing challenging and relevant learning opportunities. Teachers demonstrate courage and collaboration working together to create curriculum and learning experiences that are challenging, integrative and exploratory. Our social-justice, arts integrated approach gives teachers the flexibility to meet demanding standards through varied approaches.

Essential Functions

The Middle School Lead Science Teacher is responsible for the following:

Planning and Preparation

• Plan and document (using the school’s selected lesson planning tool) high-quality instruction in line with:
• The school’s mission and philosophy;
• The five core elements of teaching: joy; wide-ranging evidence of learning; purpose, persistence and action; student as expert; and mutual respect;
• Intentional, well-designed curricula approved by the school, whether purchased or teacher-designed;
• Nationally-normed standards (Common Core, NGSS, C3 Framework, etc).
• Work to actively understand students’ needs and strengths, including actively striving to develop cultural competence, engaging in ongoing study of child development theory and brain research, and keeping current with student IEP’s, 504’s, and BIPs.
• Seek out and access high-quality resources and materials, including resources beyond the school campus.
• Demonstrate solid knowledge of the concepts in each of the disciplines taught.

Classroom Environment

• Draw from Responsive Classroom, Restorative Justice, and Relationship-based discipline to manage student behavior, in and out of the classroom, for the purpose of providing a safe and optimal learning environment.
• Monitor students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, cafeteria, playground, school grounds, hallways, restrooms, field trips, etc.).
• Build on the established Community Expectations (Everyone Learns, Everyone is Safe, Everyone Builds the Community, and Everyone is Welcome) to create a classroom community that reflects the mission and philosophy of the Inspired Teaching Demonstration School.
• Maintain a safe and orderly classroom, with responsible and child-friendly organization of supplies, material and technology, and use of practices consistent across the school.

Instruction

• Engage actively with and implement feedback from principals and coaches; assume a stance of teacher-as-learner when working with colleagues, special education staff and assistants/residents.
• Communicate to students and families clearly and in an age appropriate way the purpose of instruction.
• Engage students with different levels of questions and discussion prompts.
• Facilitate student-centered, high-quality instruction in line with areas identified under Planning and Preparation above.
• Utilize a workshop model to teach reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Draw on multiple teaching strategies and approaches to engage students and provide differentiation.
• Conduct, review, analyze, and use a wide-range of student assessments to inform teaching practice and planning, and to ensure student growth.
• Integrate developmentally appropriate, culturally competent, research based strategies into teaching and assessment practices.
• Incorporate problem solving strategies and literacy strategies into daily instructional routine.
• Differentiate formative assessments (independent practice, homework, exit tickets, etc.).
• Collaborate with special education team members, MLL specialists, and teaching assistants (when applicable).

Professional Responsibilities

• Complete all professional responsibilities in a timely manner to meet deadlines and follow all school procedures and protocols; this includes submitting and revising lesson and unit plans; administering assessments, collecting data, and completing data entry; completing report cards; documenting discipline and student behavior as requested/required by law; following all personnel policies and procedures; attending all meetings as assigned; implementing with consistency all school policies and procedures for students and families; and other administrative tasks required of teachers as professionals.
• Build strong relationships and open communication with families. Contribute to the school community as an active and productive participant, promoting a culture of collaboration and inquiry.
• Participate in regular, school-based professional development.
• Participate in school events outside of school hours, including Student Learning Showcases.
• Respond to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, students, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction.
• Follow all school and employee policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will demonstrate significant knowledge and experience in the field of progressive, constructivist education and the potential to serve as a coach to a novice teacher.

Master/Lead Teachers must:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in content area. Master's degree preferred.
• DC Teaching certification, passing of relevant Praxis exams, or equivalent evidence to be considered highly qualified.
• Deep commitment to reflective practice, an ability to give and receive feedback openly and without defensiveness, and a desire to constantly question and improve their teaching practice.
• Commitment to creating a school that not only provides an excellent education for the student, but that creates an open, trusting learning environment for educators and the entire staff of the school.
• Demonstrated capacity to embrace teaching the whole child.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist, anti-bias practices and comfort and willingness to address issues of equity, access and inclusion.
• Strong ability to persevere in the face of ongoing challenges. Teaching is a demanding profession, regularly requiring one to go above and beyond, to solve problems quickly and in the moment, and to find the positive in difficult situations.
• Ability to thrive in an innovative environment and an interest in being part of a team that builds the systems that support a growing school.
• Preferred: experience planning and delivering instruction in secondary science.

Salary and Benefits

The Inspired Teaching School offers competitive salaries, commensurate with experience. The school offers a strong benefits package that includes health care (multiple plan options), retirement plan (employer match available), Flexible Spending accounts, supplemental insurance through AFLAC, and pre-tax public transportation/Metro benefit.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are made solely on the basis of the individual’s qualifications as related to the requirements of the position being filled. The school's Title IX Coordinator is Jessica Hiltabidel ([e-mail])