White Plains, New York
New York, New York
Posted: 18-Feb-26
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Type: Full Time
Categories:
POSITION STATEMENT
Upper School English Teacher
Start Date: August 24, 2026
OVERVIEW
Brooklyn Friends School (BFS), a thriving Early Childhood-12 grade school located in vibrant Downtown Brooklyn, seeks an Upper School English Teacher within a dynamic community of colleagues (BFS uses the all-inclusive term, colleagues, to refer to all rather than one that delineates faculty/staff). Founded in 1867, Brooklyn Friends School’s pillars – diversity, equity & belonging; global social impact; and wholeness & wellbeing – serve as guideposts for our action-oriented collective work. Our school’s history has been illustrious and reflective of the expansive nature of human experiences. Guided by our mission, BFS provides a dynamic, diverse, and robust social/emotional environment and academic program that cultivates compassionate, intellectually curious, and confident changemakers. As a school, we affirm that human diversity includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, family structure and physical ability, as well as diversity of thought, talents, and learning style. Brooklyn Friends School does not discriminate based on these characteristics or any characteristic prohibited by law and provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified colleagues and applicants. If you need an accommodation related to any part of the hiring process, please send an email to hiring@brooklynfriends.org.
This short video gives you a glimpse into our contemporary experience.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Head of Upper School, the Upper School English Teacher will be a dynamic, student-centered educator who will teach four sections of Upper School students including the possibly of teaching the International Baccalaureate (IB) English courses (both SL and HL levels) and serve as an advisor to a group of Upper School students. The ideal candidate is a passionate educator of literature, writing, and critical inquiry who brings creativity, cultural responsiveness, and an interdisciplinary approach to the classroom. They foster a learning environment grounded in inclusion, intellectual risk-taking, and deep engagement, and they are eager to participate fully in the life of our Quaker school community while keeping students at the center of the teaching and learning process.
Applicants should have experience teaching English at the secondary level, ideally within the IB Diploma Programme. Strong classroom management, fluency with technology, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are essential.
Primary Responsibilities Include:
This position reports to the Head of Upper School.
- Teach four sections of Upper School English including at least 2 sections of IB English.
- Serve as a grade-level advisor to a small cohort of students, supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth
- Familiarity with the International Baccalaureate program (preferred)
- Design and implement lessons that align with the IB Diploma Programme framework, centering inquiry, analysis, and global perspectives
- Collaborate with grade-level and departmental colleagues to plan and continuously evolve an engaging and relevant, differentiated curriculum
- Integrate interdisciplinary approaches and contemporary texts to reflect a range of voices and lived experiences
- Communicate consistently and effectively with families, students, and administrators regarding student progress and wellbeing
- Contribute to regular assessment, grading, narrative comment writing, and student feedback cycles
- Participate fully in the life of the Upper School, including advisory, supervisory duties, and community-wide activities
- Maintain a well-organized, inclusive, and supportive learning environment
Qualifications and Characteristics Sought:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred, ideally in English, Education, or a related field
- 3-5 years teaching experience (preferred)
- Familiarity with the International Baccalaureate program (preferred)
- Has relevant experience in an Upper School setting
- Has strong classroom management skills
- Is invested in continued professional growth
- Demonstrates strong communication skills (oral and written)
- Approaches work with flexibility, patience, grace, connection, and a willingness to learn
- Demonstrates cultural competency and a commitment to diversity, equity, social justice, and inclusion
- Brings a passion and desire to create a joyful learning environment
- Respect for the life of the child
- Compassion, integrity, and open-mindedness in all interactions
- Collegiality, approachability, flexibility, and adaptability
- Ability to partner and collaborate across professional statuses, i.e., with all colleagues (i.e., staff, leadership, families, student body, local and national independent school communities, and the neighborhood community)
Physical Requirements of the Job:
- Must be able to ambulate through a classroom setting, including walking up stairs.
- Must be able to work in an office environment including prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
- Must be able to stand, bend over, twist and reach to access file cabinets, navigate instrument storage spaces, bookshelves, and office and workstation spaces.
- Must be able to lift and carry small children up to 40lbs in the case of emergency.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Union Status: Union
Salary Range: $72,675 - $97,200
This salary range represents the expected annual salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your education level, experience, and other job-related factors.
Benefits: Colleagues may be eligible to participate in employment benefits including, but not limited to, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance. Benefits are subject to change at any time and are subject to applicable plan documents.
To apply, please provide the following:
- Cover letter addressed to Liz Fernández, Head of Upper School. Along with punctuating your interest and experience, your cover letter should also address how you feel that your professional journey aligns with our school’s Quaker values and pillars of social justice and civic engagement.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- List of three references (at least one reference listed should be a current or former supervisor). Please include their emails, phone numbers, and relationship to you. We will not contact references without informing you.
- Completed online application.
Please email the above attachments (if possible as a single PDF) to hiring@brooklynfriends.org and put Upper School English in the subject line. Qualified candidates will be contacted after materials have been reviewed.