Career Center

Sustainability Coordinator and Environmental Science Teacher

North Country School is a junior boarding/day school for grades 4-9 located on a 220-acre campus in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, New York. North Country School gives children a humanistic education rooted in respect and responsibility for self and others. Central to our academic program is a hands-on, place-based approach founded on the progressive tradition of John Dewey. 

North Country School is seeking a dynamic and highly collaborative Sustainability Coordinator and Environmental Science Teacher for the fall of 2022. This candidate would be responsible for leading the school’s sustainability work, teaching middle school science and/or math, and living in a house and serving as a houseparent. The successful candidate must be able to transfer an enthusiasm for and a deep understanding of sustainability and environmentalism to students using multiple modalities and authentic applications in order to make learning relevant and meaningful for students. 

 Major Responsibilities    

1) Student Relationships

• Creating an inclusive, welcoming, learning-motivated classroom environment where student voice is celebrated.
• Be attuned to the specific learning needs and social and emotional development of each student.
• Serve as a houseparent in a house of 8-12 students; provide instruction in health, wellness, and character education while coaching, mentoring, and counseling.
• Provide academic support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.), as needed.

2) Learning  

• As the Sustainability Coordinator, this candidate would be responsible for educating the community–students, faculty, staff–about environmental stewardship and sustainability practices that would enhance our campus and world.
• Facilitate age-appropriate exploratory, investigative, and challenging instruction.
• Plan instruction that inspires enthusiasm, confidence, and a deep understanding of science.
• Create learning experiences by incorporating a range of instruction modalities.
• Assess understanding using a variety of formative and summative assessments.
• Utilize assessment feedback to adjust instruction and continuously improve student learning.
• Use technology creatively and effectively in a one-to-one laptop environment.
• Attend and collaborate in the organization of annual overnight educational trips.
• Actively pursue student-centered professional learning opportunities aligned with school goals and initiatives.

3) Community

• Active collaboration with other middle school teachers, educators, and specialist teachers to develop curriculum, plan trips, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and special projects.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding curriculum, student progress, and course placements.
• Be a positive and contributing member of the school community.
• Supervise students in other roles such as recess, lunch, field trips, etc. 
• Participate actively in department, grade-level team, and faculty meetings as scheduled.
• Pursue relevant opportunities for professional growth and development. 

Requirements and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• Lead and oversee sustainability efforts on campus and within the community
• Previous experience teaching at the elementary,  middle school, or high school level
• Bachelor’s degree in science or a closely-related field (Master’s degree is preferred)
• The ability to also teach math classes (Pre-Algebra or Algebra I)
• Passion for interacting with middle level students in and outside of the classroom
• Partake in community work with students and engage with students in outdoor trips like rock climbing, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, overnight hiking and camping, and many other activities that support our co curricular focus on experiential learning. 
• Satisfactorily completed a nationwide criminal background check.

Interested candidates should email a resume, cover letter, and references to employment@northcountryschool.org.  Interviews including demonstration lessons  will take place until the position is filled.

About North Country School

North Country School is a junior boarding/day school for grades 4-9 located on a 220-acre campus in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, New York. North Country School gives children a humanistic education rooted in respect and responsibility for self and others. Central to our academic program is a hands-on, place-based approach founded on the progressive tradition of John Dewey.

Connections working at North Country School