Career Center

The Buckley School is a dynamic, nurturing learning community committed to equity and inclusion, and as such, seeks to hire talented employees with diverse backgrounds.

The Buckley School, Los Angeles’ oldest K-12 co-educational learning institution, has an opening for an English/Social Science Teacher, with special consideration to teachers experienced in teaching writing and literature. The English/Social Science Teacher will join the English and Social Science Department as a contributing member of the program aligned with the school’s mission, commitment to DEI, and Portrait of a Graduate. This position is responsible for teaching sections of English and Social Science in the Upper School Division. This teacher will be responsible for all aspects of teaching our curriculum and is expected to develop and maintain curriculum maps of the courses they teach. This is a particularly exciting time to join Buckley. The English and Social Science disciplines have recently merged into a single department, and the new English/Social Science teacher will play a significant role in collaborating with colleagues in developing a coherent multi-disciplinary program.  This individual will also be responsible for an advisory and is expected to be a collaborative and engaged community member at Buckley.  Such participation will include serving on school committees, eagerly finding ways to collaborate with one’s peers, engaging in professional development and working to move Buckley's mission forward of drawing upon the Four-Fold plan to assist students in becoming engaged and productive members of our society. The ideal candidate will deliver excellence in English/Social Science classroom instruction, possess a joy for teaching 9^th – 12^th grade students, contribute to the development of critical thinking and create interest for English and Social Science in students, and utilize educational technology throughout instruction and course work.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Instruction:

• Plans, organizes and implements appropriate discipline-specific, transdisciplinary, and differentiated educational experiences and classroom environment to fulfill the Portrait of a Graduate, the school’s mission, DEI initiatives and Commitments, and also ensures students find agency, purpose, and relevancy in their learning
• Provides differentiated instruction to meet individualized needs by creating meaningful relationships, and practicing growth mindset
• Provides for continued student learning during teacher absences from classroom

Curriculum:

• Participates in regular review, revision, development and documentation of curriculum by utilizing recent research in neuroscience, education, psychology and futurism
• Participates in establishing grade level, departmental and/or school level curriculum goals

Procedural Responsibilities:

• Upholds all expectations, policies and practices outlined in the school’s employee handbook, the collective bargaining agreement and other foundational documents
• Maintains accurate electronic records for each student

Students/Staff/Community Relations:

• Creates warm and uplifting professional relationships with students, families, and all constituencies of the school
• Communicates with students, families, and administrators effectively concerning student progress
• Serves as an ambassador for the school at all times, on and off campus, for example: upholding the expectations in the employee and family handbooks; speaking positively about the school and its community members; participating in the school’s efforts to recruit and retain new families, faculty and staff; etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

• Teach a full load of courses, as defined by the collective bargaining agreement
• Serve as an advisor or homeroom teacher, as appropriate
• Participate in the life of the school by attending assemblies, games, concerts, galas, and other school events
• Provide supervision for lunch, study hall, recess, etc. and other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Possess the minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in English from an accredited college or university, graduate degree and/or teaching credential preferred.
• Possess 3-5 years classroom experience teaching writing and literature, preferably within an independent school
• Agility and expertise in using technology to connect the study of English to the modern world.

SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Models the highest standards of professionalism and creates warm, uplifting and trusting learning environments and working relationships marked by humor, positivity, humility, empathy, excellent emotional intelligence, extraordinary interpersonal skills, and collaboration
• Demonstrates great individual integrity, initiative, self-awareness, commitment to personal and professional growth, and the ability to receive and apply feedback
• Possesses a passion for education, particularly in an independent school environment, conveyed by a solid understanding of educational practice and philosophy grounded in DEI
• Knowledge of and demonstrated competency in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice
• Relishes the joys and challenges of working with K-12 students and possesses a deep understanding of the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of children
• Demonstrates adaptability, dependability, good judgment, strong social skills and the abilities to read, assess, imagine, evaluate, calculate, & make wise decisions
• Significant experience implementing instructional programs
• Demonstrates strong communication skills in person, in writing, by phone and through other electronic means (such as Zoom)

KNOWLEDGE

• Current knowledge of all subject area content in English
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies to support discipline-specific and transdisciplinary learning, and the ability to learn and implement knew instructional practices over time
• Knowledge of and ability to implement useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures
• Knowledge and effective use of instructional methods and learning materials
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Blackbaud/Education Edge, Zoom, and the ability to learn new and evolving technology

 QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send their resume to Brian Merry, English and Social Science Department Chair at bmerry@buckley.org. In a cover letter/email please explain how you have included diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work with students or colleagues.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

The Buckley School, a K-12 college preparatory school with 830 students, is one of the most respected independent schools in the Los Angeles area.  Buckley is known for its unique educational philosophy, the 4-Fold Plan of Education, which marries a whole-child approach with elements of structure, as well as for its warm, intimate educational environment. 

The school’s curriculum balances academics, the arts, physical development and moral education. Its creative, personalized approach to education emphasizes high academic standards for all students, and includes traditional touches that develop the character and discipline that unlock students’ potential.