The Waverly School seeks a full-time high school science instructor for the 2023-2024 academic year. The science instructor will be responsible for instructing students in physics, chemistry, environmental science and/or astronomy. The successful candidate will need to have experience with safely teaching students in lab science format. In addition, they will be able to organize their own field trips and support students in getting involved in the local scientific community. Learning how to read, write and speak in scientific terms is essential for Waverly students. Waverly is a progressive school and the successful candidate should have previous experience in progressive schools and/or be willing to take professional development that helps them understand how to teach science in a progressive school.
Waverly is highly collaborative and the mission focuses on social justice education and progressive pedagogy. The successful candidate has an understanding of how these relate to science instruction and can design a program that supports these twin aims. We have a highly collaborative school and there is an expectation to work closely with the two other middle and high school science teachers. Teachers are expected to teach a diverse range of learners and people and have the ability to support students throughout the year. Each high school faculty member also serves as an advisor, club mentor and is present for student supervision and participates in school trips.
Primary Responsibilities:
Plan and design curriculum that aligns with Waverly’s scope and sequence and as aligned with the school mission and philosophy
Use teaching strategies that include small and large group instruction, hands-on experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, integrated learning
Use Responsive Classroom or Culturally Responsive Teaching pedagogy and techniques to set-up, run and develop a consistent, caring classroom environment
Facilitate an advisory, teach an elective
Provide supervision of students outside the classroom – i.e. lunch periods, dismissal, waking to and from other campuses
Collaborate with high school faculty and learning support educators
Use formative and summative assessment tools to meet student’s learning needs
Monitor and document student progress throughout the year and evaluate learning development
Lead parent/teacher conferences
Write and edit semester reports that include checklists and narrative writing
Chaperone field trips, outdoor education trips, or other experiential learning opportunities
Build and maintain positive relationship with parents
Have regular communication with parents-via email and newsletters
Support admissions and other school events (i.e. parent education nights, graduation, etc.)
Attend special events during evenings and weekends
Attend and participate in weekly faculty meetings (after school) and occasional workshops, in-service opportunities, and other training seminars
Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the employee and faculty handbooks
Complete other duties as assigned by the Division Director or Head of School
Requirements:
3-5 years of middle school or high school science instruction
Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts and procedures to high school students
Regular reporting on student progress and performance in written and verbal formats
Collaboration with members of the Science department and high school faculty
Positive attitude, excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to design a culturally responsive curriculum that attends to the needs of diverse learners.
Preference for experience in progressive educational setting
Preference for candidates with a working knowledge or fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi and/or Tagalog
Physical Demands and Abilities
Work in person, on campus
Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout classrooms and between several campus locations
Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers
Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds
Regularly move up and down stairs
Other requirements
Initial and continued employment background investigation required – fingerprints via Live Scan
Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools
School Contact:
Interested candidates should submit their letter of interest, statement of educational philosophy, and resume to:
Waverly is a progressive, coeducational, college preparatory school in Pasadena, CA, serving students and their families from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1993, Waverly fosters lifelong learning in a child-centered and intellectually challenging environment. With nearly 350 students, Waverly offers an exceptional faculty, thoughtful programs, and expressive students within three adjacent campuses. Its one-acre farm is within walking distance. Waverly is economically diverse and culturally rich; our families live in many Los Angeles area neighborhoods. The Waverly School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of The Alliance, POCIS, and A Better Chance. The school is in walking distance from the Metro L (Gold) Line Del Mar station.
EEO Statement:
The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, mil...itary or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
