Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 520 students (PreK - 8) and 70 faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school. We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers.  As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades III-VIII engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. Gradeheads (lead teachers) are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in both social studies/history and language arts, with the support of performing arts and visual arts faculty to integrate these disciplines. 

Shady Hill School is also a teaching training institution.  Its long-standing Teacher Training Center, which brings as many as eighteen apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field. Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.

The Lower School consists of students in Beginners-Grade IV.  For the 2021-2022 academic year, classrooms will ideally have between 10-15 students and one gradehead. 

Specific Gradehead Responsibilities:

• Teach the year-long, grade level assigned Thematic Study / Central Subject which integrates instruction in language and literature, mathematics, science, music and art 
• Beginners: Topics of Interest
• Kindergarten: All About Us
• Grade I: Community
• Grade II: The Charles River
• Grade III: Whales and Whaling
• Grade IV: Ancient Greece
• Teach mathematics, using manipulative-based math materials to cover topics including computation, numeration, patterns, measurement, classification and graphing
• Work closely and collaboratively with grade level team and department teachers to shape and refine curriculum
• Manage all classroom responsibilities, including designing and implementing curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, utilizing a variety of approaches to teaching and assessing students
• Communicate regularly about student progress by writing reports, holding conferences with parents/guardians and meeting with other faculty and administrators to support the needs of individuals
• Monitor the social, emotional and academic lives of students
• Serve as a full community member by attending weekly faculty meetings, serving on committees, participating in admissions activities and performing weekly recess and dismissal duties, as well as volunteering for coverage duties when needed

• Engage in professional development to enhance inclusive teaching and leadership practices. The school offers extensive professional development opportunities, including faculty summer study, travel grants, and yearly trips to the People of Color Conference for BIPOC employees.