About the Shady Hill: 

Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK - 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school.  We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers.  As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire teachers who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

A hallmark of a Shady Hill education is the Central Subject methodology. Students in Grades 3-8 engage in an assigned Central Subject, an in-depth, integrated study of a particular time or people in history. The year-long study, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, the use of primary sources, understanding of multiple perspectives, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. “Gradeheads” (lead teachers) are both humanities teachers and advisors, supporting the academic and social-emotional experience for their 14-18 students. They are responsible for developing content and implementing instruction in the humanities, with the support of faculty in other disciplines to integrate the curriculum. 

Shady Hill School is also a teacher training institution.  Its long-standing Teacher Training Center (TTC), which brings apprentice teachers to campus each year, prepares talented people for careers in education and allows each faculty member the opportunity to be a mentor and meaningful contributor to the teaching field.  Because of the school’s commitment to teacher training, the school seeks teachers with certification or a demonstrated interest in working towards certification when hired by Shady Hill School.

About the position: 

Shady Hill School is looking for an 8th Grade Humanities Teacher (Gradehead) to join our team for the 2025-2026 school year. In the Middle School, gradeheads are responsible for teaching our integrated English/social studies curriculum “Central Subject” to 14-18 students as well as serve as the students’ homeroom teacher and advisor. This is a full-time, in-person, exempt (salaried), 10-month position for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Specific Gradehead Responsibilities:

• Teach the yearlong, grade-level assigned Central Subject (See document for further descriptions of each grade’s Central Subject)
  • Grade 5: Ancient and Modern China
  • Grade 6: Africa (focus on West Africa)
  • Grade 7: The Early American Experience (pre-contact USA to Constitutional Convention)
  • Grade 8: Democracy and Immigration in the United States

• Monitor the social, emotional, and academic lives of early adolescent students, creating an identity-safe and caring classroom environment and community
• Manage all classroom responsibilities, including designing and implementing curriculum, differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all learners, utilizing a variety of approaches to teaching and assessing students
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student’s families, coordinating and communicating with grade level colleagues to provide continuity of experience and care
• Communicate about student progress, write reports, hold parent/guardian conferences, and meet with administrators and other faculty to support the needs of individuals
• Work collaboratively with grade level team and department teachers to shape and refine the curriculum
• Document curriculum in service to our scope and sequence work
• Engage in professional development to enhance inclusive teaching and leadership practices
• Athletics coaching is strongly encouraged and coaching outside of the school day provides additional compensation

In addition, the 8th Grade Humanities Teacher will share in responsibilities associated with the position or with membership on the faculty, supervision of student activities, participating in special events and outreach programs, as well as lunch and recess supervision. The 8th Grade Humanities Teacher is also expected to attend opening and closing meetings (August/September and June) and other faculty meetings as scheduled and to serve on committees of the faculty as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Masters degree preferred 
• At least three years of prior middle school teaching experience in English language arts, social studies/history, or humanities preferred
• Experience with diverse learners and demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction
• Effectively employs multicultural, anti-bias, antiracist teaching strategies and materials that reflect cultural competence
• Effective, timely, and professional communication skills

Finalists will be expected to teach a demonstration lesson and provide a writing sample. Annual salary for faculty is determined according to a step scale commensurate with experience. 

To apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to: apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “8th Grade Gradehead” in the subject line of the email. 

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans and paid time off. Employees must be authorized to work in the United States. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org.

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

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