Career Center

Westridge School is an independent day school for girls located in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1913, the school has an enrollment of approximately 500 girls in grades 4 through 12 and has a long-standing reputation for the excellence of its academic program. Westridge is committed to educating intellectually adventurous thinkers, and courageous, compassionate leaders. Westridge is a vibrant and diverse community that is grounded in the commitment to goodness in all aspects of life and learning. Students are encouraged to learn and thrive in new ways, to try new things, and to be resilient. The school balances challenging academics and a focus on leadership development with a deeply engrained culture that prioritizes physical and emotional wellness and treating oneself, others, and the world with integrity, respect, responsibility, and inclusion. At Westridge, girls gain the confidence and courage to stand up and speak for the ideals of responsibility and integrity as they take their places in an ever-changing world.

Westridge is seeking an experienced middle school science teacher to join our team of dedicated faculty members. With experience providing lesson plans grounded in Next Generation Science Standards as well as the California Science Standards, they will have an approach that differentiates levels of challenge to build students’ confidence as they learn to explore their innate curiosity of the natural world. They will focus on the process of science, incorporating skills essential to scientific methodology and preparing students for lives of meaning, contribution, and impact as scientifically literate citizens. The ideal candidate will have an interest and skill in collaborating with colleagues as well as the potential and willingness to contribute beyond the classroom. The middle school science teacher will inspire our students to use tools of inquiry and collaborative problem-solving and experience the joy, wonder, and inspiration of scientific discovery and the satisfaction of persevering through difficulties and challenges.

This position reports to the director of lower and middle school.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Design instruction that emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving in Earth and Physical Sciences
• Convey enthusiasm for content and intellectual inquiry
• Maintain grade-level science web pages
• Manage supply and equipment budget for classroom and laboratory

• Integrate appropriate technology to enhance learning; Westridge is a 1:1 laptop environment

• Create hands-on and interdisciplinary project-based learning experiences
• Collaborate effectively with students, teachers, administrators, staff and parents
• Model flexibility in implementing best learning practices
• Support the well-being of all students
• Participate regularly in professional development opportunities to maintain and grow expertise in the subject matter
• Participate in ongoing skill development in diversity and equity to promote a culture of community and inclusion

• Participate in the greater life of the division and school
• Serve as an advisor for students

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required (science preferred)
• 3 years’ teaching experience, preferred

• Familiarity with hands on project-based approaches to teaching science
• Familiarity with the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) and California Science Standards
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated competency in student and faculty work that promotes diversity, inclusion, equity, and community engagement
• Demonstrated experience and skill in the effective use of technology and integrating technological applications in the classroom

• Collaborative and collegial attitude
• Strong understanding of the developmental needs of young girls
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of Westridge School

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors as required (i.e., field trips, overnight trips)

Schedule and Salary

This is a full-time exempt position and is eligible for Westridge’s comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, vision, dental, and generous retirement plan.  Office hours are 7:50 am – 3:30 pm; with flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary.  Salary range depends on qualifications and experience.

To Apply

Send cover letter and resume to Jobs@Westridge.org. Include “Middle School Science Teacher” in the subject line. 

Westridge School is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are evaluated without consideration of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  For more information: www.Westridge.org.