Who we are?
Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and the other in Manhattan. The Upper School, located in the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 600 students and 80 faculty members.  

What is essential about working at our school?
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.  

We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. 

Role Summary
We are looking for passionate high school educators to join our community who are committed to progressive education, who consider ethics to be at the core of their work with students and colleagues, and who will contribute to the academic success of all of our students. 
The History Teacher will teach at least two sections of our 9th grade Modern World History course and two electives, ideally non-Western. We are particularly interested in candidates who are both well-versed in an inclusive education and can develop and teach elective courses focusing on regions such as Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and South America. For reference, some of our current electives include Modern Latin America, African Studies, Contemporary Black Society, American Radicalism, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, and Immigration History.

We are currently seeking a History Teacher for our Upper Division for the 26/27 school year. The position will begin on September 1, 2026.

This is a 1.0 FTE (full time equivalency) and the hiring range for this position is $75,261- $184,830.

Please note that this is an onsite role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities of the History Teacher will include:

• Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students;
• Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians at scheduled conferences;
• Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations;
• Maintaining accurate student record keeping including, grades and attendance;
• Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth; 
• Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary;
• Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings;
• Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards; and
• Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned.

Position Requirements
The successful incumbent will possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in history or a connected discipline such as social studies education, political science, Pan-African studies, international relations, women's studies, or ethnic studies;
• A Master’s degree in either Social Studies education or a related field of history is preferred but not required;
• A minimum of 3 years of experience teaching in history or a connected discipline;
• Prior experience in working with students from grades 9 to 12 is preferred;
• A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning;
• The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community; 
• The ability to maintain accurate student record-keeping of grades and attendance;
• A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds;
• Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills;
• The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks; 
• A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies (i.e., Google Workspace tools); 
• The ability to manage time effectively, prioritize various tasks, and stay organized; 
• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated;
• A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback;
• Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance; and
• The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated.

To Apply
All candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for three references.

EEO
ECFS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to be a welcoming community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to hiring practices that ensure all candidates are given fair consideration in alignment with our institutional mission and goals. 

About Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK to 12 independent school serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs. Committed to academic excellence, ethical learning, and progressive education, ECFS offers a rich and challenging curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A coed, nonsectarian school, it serves a diverse community of about 1,700 students from PreK to 12 on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and the other in Manhattan.

Connections working at Ethical Culture Fieldston School