Upper School English Teacher - Long-Term Substitute

The Fessenden School; West Newton (MA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fessenden School is seeking an Upper School English Teacher (long-term substitute) to teach two Grade 7 English classes and two Grade 9 English classes from April 5, 2027, to June 11, 2027. The role emphasizes reading, writing, and critical thinking within an inclusive, boys-centered environment.

Ideal candidates bring deep knowledge of middle school literature, a commitment to equity, and ability to collaborate with grade-level teams while mentoring a small group of students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity, and belonging in teaching practices.
• Ability to create a student-centered, rigorous classroom for middle school boys.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with families and colleagues.
• Experience with diverse learners and inclusive teaching practices.

Responsibilities

• Teach two Grade 7 English classes and two Grade 9 English classes from Apr 5 to Jun 11, 2027.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams and advise a small group of students.
• Design engaging, literature-based lessons fostering reading, writing, and critical thinking.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs and assess progress.
• Incorporate project-based learning and technology to connect curriculum across topics.

Skills

Student-centered teaching

Classroom management

Collaborative teamwork

Inclusive teaching

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in education/English

Job description

About Us

The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.

Position Summary

Fessenden seeks a creative, reflective, and collaborative Upper School English Teacher (long-term substitute) to teach two classes of Grade 7 English and two classes of Grade 9 English from April 5, 2027, to June 11, 2027. This educator will inspire a love of reading, writing, and critical thinking while supporting boys’ academic growth, character development, and identity formation during these pivotal years. At Fessenden, we strive to have each classroom foster an inclusive and equitable environment that reflects the School’s mission and core values of honesty, compassion, and respect. The role involves teaching 12 to 15 boys in each class, collaborating with grade-level teams, and advising a small group of students. Strong candidates will bring deep knowledge of middle school literature, an appreciation for boys’ development, and a commitment to inclusive and engaging classroom practice.

Schedule

• April 5, 2027 - June 11, 2027; The position is Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Full-time, Exempt

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Teach and Inspire

• Teach Upper School English curriculum (two classes of grade 7 and two classes of grade 9), including literature, writing, grammar, and discussion-based analysis, using developmentally appropriate texts and strategies.
• Create a dynamic classroom environment where boys feel challenged, supported, and encouraged to take intellectual risks.
• Design and implement engaging English lessons that bring literature, language, and writing to life, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of reading.

Build Relationships

• Build meaningful relationships with students that inspire confidence, curiosity, and perseverance as readers, writers, and thinkers.
• Create a supportive and structured learning environment where all students feel known, valued, and respected.

Integrate Core Values

• Actively teach and model the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect, supporting students’ academic growth and character development.

Differentiated Instruction

• Utilize varied instructional strategies and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
• Use formative and summative assessments to guide instruction, provide feedback, and evaluate student progress.
• Design writing assignments, projects, and discussions that accommodate a range of abilities, interests, and learning profiles.

Innovate And Collaborate

• Incorporate project-based learning (PBL), educational technology, and interdisciplinary connections to create an engaging and relevant English classroom experience.
• Collaborate with colleagues across grade levels, departments, and student support services to strengthen curriculum and instructional practice.

Promote Inclusion

• Integrate diverse voices, perspectives, and culturally responsive practices into literature selection, writing, and classroom dialogue.
• Foster an inclusive classroom culture where all students feel represented and empowered to share their ideas.

Mentor And Advise

• Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional development, goal-setting, and academic growth throughout their Upper School experience.

Contribute To Community

• Actively participate in the life of the school by attending meetings, grade-level activities, and community events.
• Support co-curricular and extracurricular programs, including coaching athletics, facilitating clubs, or participating in grade-level trips.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to create a student-centered classroom that fosters academic rigor, engagement, and positive relationships.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to connect with boys and collaborate with families and colleagues.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching practices.
• Ability to provide various instructional practices to meet the learning needs of diverse learners.
• Successful criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, science, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in education, English, or a related field.
• 2+ years of teaching experience with middle school students or an equivalent age group.
• Experience with project-based learning and educational technology integration.
• Prior experience working in an all-boys school or understanding of boys’ developmental needs.

Compensation

The range for this position is $18,633 - $25,564 based on qualifications and experience. An additional stipend of $3,045 may be provided for coaching.

Why Join Us?

The Fessenden School Offers

• A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community that supports creative teaching methods.
• A robust professional development budget that provides for school support, professional growth, and collaboration opportunities.
• A focus on educating the whole boy academically, socially, emotionally, and physically through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities: Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts.
• Daily hot lunch and assorted salad bar options.
• Class sizes from 12 to 15 students
• Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions

The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas