Cambridge, Massachusetts
Posted: 25-Mar-25
Location: Palo Alto, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $76,000 to $130,000 annually
Categories:
Required Education:
The Girls’ Middle School
Imagine a school where each day is alive with learning and the spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls* during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages girls to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS: www.girlsms.org and https://youtu.be/SatUBcjwkxA?feature=shared
*At GMS, “girls” refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.
Mission
The Girls’ Middle School educates girls at a crucial time in life. We create an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished. A GMS girl discovers her strengths and expresses her voice while respecting the contributions of others.
The Position
The Girls’ Middle School is seeking a passionate middle-school educator to teach two sections of 8th grade humanities, collaborate closely with the 8th grade level team and humanities department, serve as a grade level guide to approximately ten middle school students, and participate in a range of activities that support GMS’s innovative and engaging programming.
Teaching at GMS
At the core of GMS is our extraordinary faculty. Every teacher at GMS has a passion for working with middle school girls and believes in the fundamental value of the middle school experience. They are attentive to, value, and support every student in the school. The GMS teachers are middle school specialists and subject matter experts, bringing passion to their work and sharing it with the students. Whatever interests a GMS student – from physics to programming, sculpture to skateboarding, musical theatre to metal shop – there is an adult ready to help them advance that interest as far as they can go.
Teaching at GMS means participating in a joyful, inclusive, and respectful community of students and adults. You will be surrounded by passionate, mission-driven faculty who appreciate autonomy in creating learning experiences while thriving in a collaborative environment. Our teachers enjoy opportunities to create multi-faceted, interdisciplinary projects and participate in fun field trips and travel experiences.
Humanities at The Girls’ Middle School
The Humanities Department at The Girls’ Middle School integrates language arts with social sciences, an approach that encourages students to develop an awareness of themselves, their community, and the world. We prepare our students to become powerful communicators, deep thinkers, and positive contributors to a just society. The curriculum encourages students to think critically and make connections to a wide range of texts and disciplines. We nurture and support creativity, growth, and expression, and students develop the ability to communicate their ideas thoughtfully and fluently throughout the process.
At GMS, Humanities is a team-taught endeavor, with a two-teacher team collaborating closely on curriculum, content, and assessment. While each teacher is fully responsible for teaching two sections of humanities and their own classroom, the expectation is that all students in the grade will read the same texts, complete the same projects and assignments, work on the same timelines, and be held to the same expectations. Building the curriculum is a collaborative process, where both teachers are responsible for bringing themselves to the design process and delivering an aligned experience.
In eighth grade, students study history, literature, and culture around the world through a lens of justice. Building upon the knowledge students have acquired in their previous Humanities courses, 8th Grade Humanities explores how the identity of an individual and of a society is created, influenced by, and altered through movement, upheaval, and revolution. Students read a wide range of primary sources and literature; primary texts have included Night by Elie Weisel, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare. These readings are supplemented by current events articles, student-informed reading groups as well as excerpts from various authors. Students write on a daily basis in a multitude of forms, from poetry and short fiction to structured essays and responses to literature.
Additional Information
Equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the heart of our mission. The Girls’ Middle School was founded on the core belief that diverse and inclusive communities are strong communities. We are committed to creating a school culture that welcomes all aspects of each individual’s identity. We welcome applications from those with experience outside the educational field. We are actively seeking individuals who value equitable education and are committed to fostering an environment of belonging for our diverse student body.
The Girls’ Middle School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its hiring and promotion process without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, partnership status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital, parental or familial status, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis.
The candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. GMS does not support applications for work visas.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Comprehensive Employee Health Benefits (full medical, dental & vision coverage)
- Retirement matching
- Access to engaging and personalized professional development
- The Girls’ Middle School uses a competitive salary scale. The salary for this position ranges from $76,000 to $130,000, commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter to the hiring link.
Key Qualifications
- Teaching experience with middle school students preferred
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study
Skills & Qualities
- Commitment to experiential, project-based learning, narrative assessment, and other progressive pedagogies
- Enthusiasm for the values and mission of The Girls’ Middle School
- Demonstrated skill in designing equitable and inclusive educational experiences and learning environments that incorporate themes of diversity and belonging
- Openness to feedback and a growth mindset
- Eagerness and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
- Passion for supporting girls in discovering their strengths and finding their voice
- A sense of humor and love for the middle-school age
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Ability to manage and leverage parent volunteers in and out of the classroom