Career Center

Position:                 Middle School Central Subject (Humanities) Teacher & Advisor (anticipated Fall 2023)

Reports To:            Middle School Division Head

Department:          Instruction 

FLSA:                    Exempt

Date Updated:       November 2022

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 interdisciplinary learning, 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 both humanities teachers and advisors, supporting the academic and social-emotional experience for their 14-18 students. They are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in the humanities, with the support of faculty in other disciplines to integrate the curriculum. 

Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution.  Its long-standing Teacher Training Center (TTC), 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 Middle School consists of students in Grades V-VIII.  For the 2022-2023 academic year, classrooms will ideally have between 14-18 students and one gradehead. 

Specific Gradehead Responsibilities:

• Teach the yearlong, grade-level assigned Central Subject (See document for further descriptions of each grade’s Central Subject)
• Grade V: Ancient and Modern China
• Grade VI: Africa (focus on West Africa)
• Grade VII: The Early American Experience (pre-contact USA to Constitutional Convention) 
• Grade VIII: Democracy and Immigration in the United States
• Monitor the social, emotional, and academic lives of early adolescent students, creating an identity-safe and caring classroom environment and community
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student’s families, coordinating and communicating with grade level colleagues to provide continuity of experience and care
• 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 about student progress, write reports, hold parent conferences, and meet with administrators and other faculty to support the needs of individuals
• Work collaboratively with grade level team and other members of the Central Subject department to shape and refine the curriculum
• Document curriculum using Atlas curriculum mapping software
• 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.
• Athletics coaching is strongly encouraged and coaching outside of the school day provides additional compensation

In addition, the Middle School Gradehead will share in responsibilities associated with the position or with membership on the faculty, supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision. The Middle School Gradehead is also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other faculty meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees of the faculty. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Masters degree preferred 
• At least three years of prior middle school teaching experience in English language arts, social studies/history, or humanities preferred
• Experience with diverse learners and demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction
• Employs multicultural, anti-bias, antiracist teaching strategies and materials  that reflect cultural competence
• Effective, timely, and professional communication skills

COVID 19 Protocols:

All Shady Hill employees are required to provide proof of vaccination and to observe campus covid protocols. All health and safety protocols are subject to change based on state, local and CDC guidelines and at the discretion of the Health and Safety Team.

To apply: Please send a pdf including a cover letter and resume to: apply@shs.org or Shady Hill School, 178 Coolidge Hill, Cambridge, MA 02138. 

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

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