Career Center

Upper School English Teacher 2023-24

Porter-Gaud School is an Episcopal, independent, coeducational day school of 1,650 students in preschool through grade 12. The School is seeking a fulltime English teacher in our Upper School division beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Our Upper School division consists of grades 9 through 12.

Porter-Gaud Upper School English instructors teach grades 9 through 12 and rotate periodically from grade to grade. Candidates should be able to teach any level of English offered in the Upper School. Consequently, candidates should possess an impressive knowledge of the dynamics of various genres of literature as well as the major trends and historical developments of both English and American literature. A love of literature and writing should permeate their lives and manifest itself in a broad knowledge of literature across time periods, styles, and genres; candidates should be comfortable with teaching A Raisin in the Sun or Shakespeare or Milton or Beloved or The Great Gatsby or the poetry of Yeats.

Teaching writing is a main focus of Porter-Gaud’s English Department. Faculty members must be excellent writers who have mastered grammar and mechanics and also, perhaps more importantly, exhibit stylistic sophistication. In teaching writing, teachers construct detailed, specific assignments with accompanying rubrics and thoroughly assess student essays with precise and detailed written feedback.

The mission of Porter-Gaud’s English Department centers on the idea that we are not just teaching students to be careful, engaged readers and sound, articulate writers; we are, through teaching deep engagement with the language and details of the world, helping students to be more soulful, sensitive, interested, and interesting thinkers and human beings. We believe words matter. We believe details matter. We believe everything matters.

The Upper School English Teacher will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills (intercultural competence) to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We desire candidates who will contribute to the school's efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging. 

Primary responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Instruct students in reading and writing in accordance with curriculum requirements and objectives through an effective coordination of technology, textbooks, and other appropriate instructional materials.
• Establish and maintain a classroom environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and harmonious student interactions.
• Model for students a love of learning in general and English in particular, a sense of integrity, and a conscientious work ethic.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques that address various learning styles.
• Work closely with colleagues in a team approach to maximize student potential.
• Display a commitment to the wellbeing of all Porter-Gaud students and to the best interests of the School as a whole.
• Supervise students outside the classroom through various extra and cocurricular activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Candidate Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a degree in English or Literature strongly preferable. 
• Two or more years of experience teaching secondary or postsecondary English preferred.
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Above all, candidates will demonstrate passion: for students, literature, language, the world around them.
• Candidates will be creative, willing to experiment with different pedagogical approaches, student personalities, and classroom dynamics.
• Candidates will be dynamic classroom personalities, able both to plan and adjust.
• Candidates must have the dedication and willingness to go above and beyond in their work with students, treating each student’s writing and growth with care, attention, and empathy.
• Candidates will display a willingness to support the school’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Candidates will bring a positive outlook and a healthy sense of humor.

Reporting: The Upper School English Teacher reports directly to the Head of Upper School and takes direction from the English Department Chair.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

To apply:  Email application (see below link), resume, and cover letter as PDF files to careers@portergaud.edu; the names of your files should include your first and last names.

Application link:
https://www.portergaud.edu/fs/resource-manager/view/9d68b113-09a0-4f27-a586-ae6149660d7e

Porter-Gaud School is committed to increasing the racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of our faculty and staff. The School welcomes applicants who would bring additional dimensions to the School's teaching mission. In accordance with law, Porter-Gaud School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.  We hold our employees to the highest possible standards.  All employees are subject to extensive background check screenings and must sign our code of conduct.  We strive to monitor employees while interacting with students.  We take any inappropriate interactions between students and employees seriously and are committed to mandatory reporting standards as required by law.  We will fully cooperate with authorities in any allegation or case of abuse.

About Porter Gaud School

Porter-Gaud School is a 1-12 co-ed independent school in Charleston, SC. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable community in which all individuals can contribute to school life and develop a sense of belonging.

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