We invite potential candidates for this position to learn more about St. Patrick’s by visiting our website at www.stpatsdc.org, including our revised Careers page.
ORGANIZATION
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, located in the Palisades section of northwest Washington, D.C., is a parish day school enrolling approximately 460 students on two campuses. The program begins at the three-year-old Nursery level and continues through Grade 8. St. Patrick’s students, whose families live throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, go on to a variety of schools upon graduation.
St. Patrick’s Grades 6 to 8 faculty and staff features twenty talented individuals, all of them fulltime, with some who teach at both the MacArthur Campus and the Whitehaven Campus. The Head and Assistant Head of Middle School will oversee the daily operation of the campus. The individual who assumes the Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher position will teach a portion of courses organized around ancient history, American history, and writing instruction.
Teachers arrive at school by 7:30 a.m. in order to prepare for the instructional day, assist with arrival, and confer with their colleagues. Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. Teachers on the MacArthur Campus also perform a range of other duties.
CURRICULUM
The Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher is an eight-week position responsible for designing and implementing a curriculum that aligns with the Day School Mission Statement and leverages current insights into adolescent learning. The curriculum should address the developmental needs, abilities, and interests of students, fostering their individual strengths while supporting overall growth. Creativity and innovation in curriculum design and instruction are encouraged, with an emphasis on staying informed about and applying contemporary educational trends and research.
The 2024-2025 Curriculum Guide, available on St. Patrick’s website, outlines the course for Grades 6 and 8 History. In collaboration with the Grades 6 and 8 English Teacher and Grades 6 to 8 faculty, the History Teacher will develop lessons that integrate history and writing, tailored for young adolescents.
Key responsibilities include:
Developing lesson plans with clear objectives for each class based on plans left by the current teacher.
Creating content-rich, skill-based lessons for middle school students.
Maintaining an organized, supportive environment that encourages creativity and risk-taking.
Utilizing local resources to enhance curriculum goals.
Collaborating with learning specialists to support students.
Collaborating with colleagues and school leadership to ensure consistency in academic expectations.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
The Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher monitors and assesses each student’s progress, communicating regularly with advisors and parents about students’ intellectual and social development. Written assessments include trimester grades and narrative comments in the fall term.
COMMUNICATION/REPORTING TO PARENTS
The History Teacher introduces the history program to parents and maintains open, positive communication regarding curriculum and student progress. This is achieved through:
Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences, documented and filed appropriately.
Posting coursework on the Learning Management System.
Providing timely feedback on student work.
Regularly sharing class work with written comments.
Issuing detailed trimester reports with narrative comments.
Promptly responding to emails and voicemails.
Participating in special events, such as open houses and curriculum presentations.
Contributing to the weekly newsletter (HoundsTruth) as needed.
Engaging ongoing communication with parents about their child’s progress and any challenges.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher:
Serves as a co-advisor to a group of approximately eight to ten Grades 6 and 8 students.
Actively participates in all aspects of the Grades 6 to 8 program and the broader school community.
Adheres to the policies and procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
Contributes to the overall school community by enforcing school rules, participating in school events, and addressing safety or maintenance issues.
Performs additional duties as assigned by the Division Head or Head of School.
COMMITMENT TO ST. PATRICK’S
The Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher demonstrates a strong commitment to the St. Patrick’s community by:
Actively supporting the Day School’s Mission Statement, Statement of Philosophy, and Mission Statement for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Contributing to schoolwide goals and curriculum decisions.
Advocating for the school within the wider community.
Completing annual health examinations and maintaining first aid and bloodborne pathogen training.
Participating in school events outside regular hours, including evening parent meetings, professional development, and special performances.
QUALIFICATIONS
A successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in history or a related field, a strong understanding of relevant historical topics, and a preference for middle school teaching experience. The candidate should be attuned to the academic and social-emotional needs of adolescents and must successfully pass the required background check.
SALARY AND CONTACT
The Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher will receive a salary of between $7,500 and $9,000 commensurate with experience. Candidates for the position of Long-Term Substitute Grades 6 and 8 History Teacher should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of at least three professional references to Associate Head of School/Head of Middle School Dan Spector at spectord@stpatsdc.org.
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School strives to create a diverse and inclusive learning community of students, faculty and staff, and parents who recognize the infinite value of every individual as a child of God. We are committed to developing character, advancing human understanding, and promoting academic excellence to shape engaged citizens who live with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
St. Patrick’s is a co-educational Episcopal parish day school that opened its doors to children 67 years
ago, having been created by resolution of the Vestry of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in 1956. Located in
the Palisades section of Northwest Washington, D.C., and beginning with a Nursery School for 6
students in the Church basement, the Day School has blossomed into a Nursery to Grade 8 institution
for 475 students on two beautifully appointed academic campuses and a third housing an expansive
athletic field and outdoor garden and learning center. As an Episcopal School, St. Patrick’s welcomes
community members of all faiths as well as community members who do not practice a faith tradition.
Community members are encouraged to stand in their own faith or beliefs and be open to all.
In 2017, a 19,000 square foot Middle School was opened for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Additionally,
the School provides a robust, nurturing, play-based program for infants and toddlers, which is
celebrating its 32 nd year. Recently revitalized outdoor play and learning spaces reinforce creative,
healthy, and vigorous play and dramatically expand learning opportunities. The award-winn...ing
Environmental Sustainability Program, with a commitment to outdoor education and stewardship of our
planet, has evolved into one of the pillars of the student experience at St. Patrick’s.
Tremendous care and thoughtfulness devoted to child-centered academic programming and teaching
space design, coupled with a strong sense of joy and belonging, are the hallmarks of this school. The
long- tenured faculty and staff devote themselves to providing excellence in education within the
Episcopal tradition, while celebrating the whole child, helping to guide their students toward self-
discovery, cultivation of their strengths, growth of personal integrity, and development into their best
selves.
Mission
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School strives to create a diverse and inclusive learning community of
students, faculty and staff, and parents who recognize the infinite value of every individual as a child of
God. The school is committed to developing character, advancing human understanding, and promoting
academic excellence to shape engaged citizens who live with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
At a Glance
Established: 1956
Enrollment: 475
Grades: Nursery - Grade 8
Students of color: 38%
Full-Time Faculty and Staff: 125
Faculty of color: 39%
Faculty with advanced degrees: 73%
Student/teacher ratio: 6.8:1
Students receiving financial assistance: 24%
Interscholastic sports teams: 19
Music ensembles: 7
Art studios: 3
Campus size: 19 acres
Mascot: Wolfhound
Accreditations and Memberships: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National
Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES), Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools
(AIMSDC), Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW), Mid-Atlantic Episcopal
Schools Association (MAESA, National Business Officers Association (NBOA))