New York, New York
Posted: 11-Jun-26
Location: El Cerrito, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $68,000 - $110,750
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Overview of School
Prospect Sierra is an independent, coed TK–8 school located on two campuses in El Cerrito, California, serving 420 students. Prospect Sierra gives students the tools to build a better world by integrating rigorous academics with a deep understanding of human emotions. Every day our exceptional teachers connect students' academic experiences to ethics, empathy, and social and emotional intelligence. The result is deeper intellectual engagement, greater self-knowledge, and compassionate relationships. Prospect Sierra students develop courage to become more than great students, but great people. Please visit our website, www.prospectsierra.org, for more information.
Overview of Position
This position is for Interim Middle School Drama Teacher, beginning August 2026. This teacher will report to the Middle School Division Head, will teach grades 5-8th and also direct two after-school plays. This is a full-time teaching position.
Responsibilities
- Teach drama class to all students in the middle school grades 5th-8th grade.
- Direct and coordinate grade level appropriate play/monologue performances for each grade level that are performed for the community.
- Deliver and design a curriculum that is inclusive for all students, including students enrolled in The Learning Center who have diagnosed learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia).
- Direct two 40-50 person after school drama productions that include: try outs, coordinating parent volunteers, working with an assistant director, a student tech/back stage crew, working with the art teacher on set design, etc.
- Collaborate with the music teacher and art teacher around shared space usage, looking to support all teachers, classes, and students to continue to operate as smoothly as possible while carrying out any special performances in the arts center that require the use of the stage and chairs.
- Serve on the eighth grade team and the A+ (Arts plus department) team and meet weekly to support both grade level and departmental endeavours.
- Perform routine maintenance of Drama equipment, costumes, props, etc.
- Host lunchtime “open Drama” times for kids to come to the space and explore drama skills as interested.
- Teach a weekly elective.
Required Qualifications
- Appreciation for and desire to work with 5th-8th grade students.
- Demonstrated experience teaching drama classes and/or skills to a wide range of students with various skills and comfort in drama.
- Demonstrated understanding of best practices in middle school education.
- Knowledge of the essential role social-emotional literacy plays in the workplace and interest in application of SEL within the educational setting.
- Knowledge of identity safe and anti-bias educational practices.
- Ability to create an inclusive classroom community that allows for a multitude of perspectives to be heard and respected.
- Ability to take initiative, work passionately and joyfully, and collaborate effectively with diverse constituencies.
- Willingness to be a team player, show initiative, and take on leadership roles as needed.
- A passionate commitment to creating an innovative, joyful environment for students.
- Bachelor of Arts or Science degree and/or professional coursework or certification, indicating training applicable to the responsibilities of the position.
- Ability and desire to communicate effectively both in written and verbal modalities
- Flexibility
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
In addition to required qualifications, desirable additional skills include:
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Master’s degree in education, or relevant coursework or certification indicating advanced knowledge in areas related to the responsibilities of the job
- Training in Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- Nuanced understanding of DEI/social justice knowledge from a personal or programmatic perspective
School-Wide Duties
- Participation on committees as needed and appropriate.
- Ancillary duties include responsibilities that are part of middle-school life, e.g., team and staff meetings, committee work, attendance at school functions, chaperoning school trips/events, recess duties, etc.
Salary:
Salary is competitive; the range is $68,000 - $110,750. Benefits included. See pay scale here.
How to Apply
Email a resume, a one-page cover letter, and a list of three references with contact information to: Nathan Tanaka, Middle School Division Head
Email: avisjobs@prospectsierra.org (include “Interim Middle School Drama Teacher” in the subject line)
Prospect Sierra School is an equal opportunity employer. Our community is diverse in many ways, inclusive of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender spectrum, age, ability, and more. We welcome and value the same in our faculty and staff.
