Career Center

BIOLOGY TEACHER

York School is seeking applicants for a full-time position teaching biology to begin August 2024. Willingness/ability to teach in another discipline, such as chemistry, mathematics, or computer science, would be advantageous. Also helpful would be particular interest toward environmental stewardship and sustainability, as well as experiential learning. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic, student-centered educator whose passion and expertise as a lifelong learner is modeled as a way to inspire and engage students.

The York science curriculum is focused on helping students to:

• Develop skills in observation, interpretation, reasoning, synthesis, generalizing, predicting, and questioning as a way to learn new knowledge, while critically evaluating the validity of results and sources of error;
• Collaboratively construct and defend logically coherent explanations of phenomena that incorporate a current understanding of science consistent with the available evidence;
• Develop scientific problem solving skills, including organization of available information, identification and application of pertinent principles, quantitative solutions, and interpreting results in the context of current issues and discussions around those issues;
• Use developing science and technology skills in constructive community engagement that addresses the potential impact on local and global issues, including equality, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

A regular laboratory period is part of each course, providing students with direct, hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and associated technology. All students are required to take biology and two additional sciences. A number of biology-focused electives are offered, as well as courses in chemistry and physics. Secondary advanced elective courses are offered in all three major areas of science.

Other significant highlights from York’s award-winning STEM program:

• In 2019 York School was ranked by Newsweek as one of the top 500 STEM high schools in the country;
• York’s highly competitive Robotics Team annually places among the top teams in the regional FIRST Robotics competitions, some of the strongest competitions in the country;
• York’s Distinguished Scholars Program allows students to follow their passions in STEM and develop skills necessary to excel in post-York opportunities by engaging in project-based work;
• York's own Science Fair, judged by over 40 local scientists;
• York’s 100-acre Outdoor Laboratory.

Qualifications:

• BS in Biology or related field, with an advanced degree preferred
• Besides helping the school and department meet its mission, the candidate should also have enthusiasm for teaching, experience with high school age students, and a willingness to explore new methodologies and technologies for instruction, including experiential learning
• Computer literacy and proficiency, experience with technology in the classroom, and ability to effectively utilize a learning management system
• Preferred, but not required: willingness/ability to teach in another discipline, such as chemistry, mathematics, or computer science

Teaching Expectations:

The teacher will join a congenial and collegial department consisting of five faculty members while being supervised and supported by the Math & Science Department Chair and the Director of Teaching and Learning. Specific responsibilities for this position include:

• Teaching one or more sections of our required introductory Biology course (mostly 9th-grade level students)
• Teaching one section of AP Biology (mostly juniors and seniors)
• Potentially teaching one or more sections of another course, possibly science or mathematics
• Providing academic support for students outside of class time during free periods and tutorials
• Collaborating and participating actively in the work of the Math & Science Department on best practices in curriculum development, pedagogy, and assessment
• Actively participating in the life of the school community
• Creating and maintaining a classroom culture that is inclusive and supportive of all students
• Commits to ongoing professional development and staying abreast of innovative, research-informed teaching practices

Community Expectations:

• Contribute as an engaged, collaborative community member both within and across departments
• Serve as an advisor to approximately 10 students
• Serve on ad hoc committees, as needed
• Participate in community events including but not limited to several evening or weekend admission events
• Carry out other duties as assigned

Compensation:

• Salary Range: The base salary range, which encompasses all experience levels, is $73,000 - $98,000. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions, or potential stipends. Pay ranges at York are reasonable estimates of what the school anticipates paying for a role, but they are not guaranteed. If hired at York, a faculty member’s final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, and part-time status. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for York School in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.
• Benefits:
• Medical 90% employee coverage
• Dental 90% employee and dependent coverage
• Vision 90% employee and dependent coverage
• Retirement: 1-to-1 match of 5% of base salary; Tax Deferred Annuity - 1% of base salary
• HSA: $1000 annual contribution

Application:

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact list of three professional references in PDF format to Jon Zeljo, Director of Teaching and Learning, jzeljo@york.org. Do not submit applications through the NAIS Career Center.

About York School

SCHOOL INFORMATION Founded in 1959, located on scenic hillside terrain in California’s Monterey Bay area, York School is a college preparatory, coeducational, independent day school for grades 8-12. York is an intentionally small school with a rigorous academic program, exceptional faculty, and a distinctive campus culture. 76% of York’s faculty hold advanced degrees and the average class size is 15. www.york.org

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