Upper School Chemistry Long-Term Substitute Teacher

Vail Mountain School; Vail (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellness benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Vail Mountain School in Colorado is seeking an Upper School Chemistry teacher to deliver AP Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry, align with curriculum maps, and reinforce a rigorous, mission-driven program.

You will collaborate with the current teacher during a transition, differentiate instruction for diverse learners, supervise study halls, and engage in outdoor education and after-hours activities to support student growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from four-year college or university.
• Experience with curriculum development at the upper school level.
• AP/College Board instructional experience.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Experience leading students on outdoor education courses.
• Experience coaching and/or driving small buses.

Responsibilities

• Instruct two Upper School Chemistry courses; AP Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry.
• Work with the current teacher to ensure a smooth transition for all students; may include shadowing, planning, and reviewing curriculum together, as needed, for up to five days.
• Both classes occur on the same day in a ten-day rotation, allowing flexibility; expect to be in the building every other day.
• Inspire students to ask questions, engage creatively, and develop critical thinking; ensure rigor and developmentally appropriate instruction.
• Monitor and update curriculum maps and standards; support diverse learners.
• Be available to work with students during study halls, office hours, and advisory time.
• Actively participate in winter sports program by distance/online learning as needed.
• Maintain LMS for all students, including grading and posting resources.
• Support VMS grading philosophy and policies; collaborate with directors and support staff.
• Collaborate with department and division to meet curricular and assessment goals.

Skills

Differentiation

Classroom management

Outdoor education

Rapport with students

Curriculum development

Communication with parents

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Graduate degree

AP/College Board instructional experience

Job description

Purpose

An Upper School Teacher is responsible for carrying out the mission of VMS through curriculum development, varied classroom teaching, planning, and executing fair assessments, differentiation, classroom management, outdoor education, character development and building rapport with students in and out of the classroom. Our teachers support the mission and philosophy of the school, value the VMS culture, and strive to make our school a better place. They have a deep knowledge of their subject area, and display dedication, passion, and the capacity to help all students succeed. This position will run from November 30 2026 - June 2, 2027.

Purpose

An Upper School Teacher is responsible for carrying out the mission of VMS through curriculum development, varied classroom teaching, planning, and executing fair assessments, differentiation, classroom management, outdoor education, character development and building rapport with students in and out of the classroom. Our teachers support the mission and philosophy of the school, value the VMS culture, and strive to make our school a better place. They have a deep knowledge of their subject area, and display dedication, passion, and the capacity to help all students succeed. This position will run from November 30 2026 - June 2, 2027.

Who You Are

• A “raise your hand” type of person. You’re interested in participating in school events like orientation trips, field trips, sitting at lunch tables, assisting with carpool, hut trips, and Ski Fridays as necessary. You are ready to participate fully in the life of the school.
• Your coverage will begin November 30th, 2026 through the end of the school year (June 2nd),
• You will also join us earlier to work with the current teacher to ensure a smooth transition for all students. This may include shadowing, planning, and reviewing curriculum together, as needed, for up to five days and planned based on your schedule
• You are experienced with diverse learners with the ability to differentiate instruction and assessment.
• Willing to provide general supervision of students
• Able to communicate in a timely and professional manner with students, parents, colleagues, and volunteers
• Ready to attend related meetings and assist with afternoon/evening programs; some of which may occur outside of the school day
• Prepared to actively promote the mission of the school
• Bachelor’s Degree from four-year college or university
• If you have the following experience, we’d love to hear about it!
• Experience in the independent school community
• Experience with curriculum development at the upper school level AP/College Board instructional experience
• Graduate degree
• Experience leading students on outdoor education courses
• Experience coaching and/or driving small buses

What You Will Do

• Be responsible for instructing students in two Upper School Chemistry courses; AP Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry
• Work with the current teacher to ensure a smooth transition for all students. This may include shadowing, planning, and reviewing curriculum together, as needed, for up to five days
• Both classes that this position teaches occur on the same day in our ten day rotation, allowing significant flexibility in your work week. This rotation will have you in the building every other day.
• Inspire students to ask questions, engage creatively, and develop and hone critical thinking skills. Ensure what is taught is developmentally appropriate for students, provides rigor, is mission appropriate, and relevant
• Monitor and update curriculum maps and maintain curriculum standards while also supporting students with diverse learning needs
• Be available and excited to work with students during study halls, office hours and advisory time
• Actively participate and accommodate our winter sports program athletes through the use of distance learning and online learning practices.
• Maintain learning management system for all students (this includes grading and active posting of curriculum and resources)
• Ensure that the VMS philosophy of grading is implemented and used appropriately
• Work with all Division Directors and the Director of Student Support Services to support all VMS policies and their implementation
• Work in collaboration with members of the department and the division to accomplish curricular, instructional, and assessment goals
• Work to ensure that there is a fair amount of graded opportunities that exist for every class and that there is consistent communication for every class

Who We Are

We are a rapport-based independent school that is proud of our roots in the Vail Valley. As a group, we are made up of active people who are committed to instilling the value of our natural surroundings to the next generation through education, responsibility, and kindness. VMS is a caring and thoughtful organization committed to the lives of our employees. We offer a competitive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to fit the needs of our faculty and staff. We offer a monthly wellness benefit reimbursement as well as FSA and HSA options depending on your health insurance elections. We focus on the professional development of our faculty and staff through individual professional development opportunities.

• We offer a competitive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans designed to fit the needs of our faculty and staff.
• We offer a monthly wellness benefit reimbursement as well as FSA and HSA options depending on your health insurance elections.
• We focus on the professional development of our faculty and staff through individual professional development opportunities.

VMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, intentionally committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.

We welcome candidates representing a full spectrum of race, ability, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation.

A VMS education embraces both the open exchange of ideas and learning from differing perspectives, inclusive of the beliefs and identities reflected within the community.

Qualifications for employment include a demonstrated commitment to these principles.