Are you a passionate educator looking to make a real difference? Do you enjoy working in small classes where you can focus on building meaningful relationships with students? The Siena School is seeking a Middle School Social Studies Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative, innovative environment where students thrive through personalized learning and creative teaching approaches.

Job Summary

The Siena School is one of the nation’s leading independent schools serving bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thesienaschool.org). The ideal candidate will have a passion for teaching and a strong understanding of how to support students in developing writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills through individualized, multisensory instruction. Siena’s inquiry-based history courses challenge students with rigorous curricula while providing tools and strategies to help them understand and apply content knowledge and concepts. 

At Siena, you’ll work with small classes (10:1 student-teacher ratio) and focus on helping students build confidence and a deeper understanding of history. Our curriculum emphasizes real-world connections and hands-on learning, giving students the tools to succeed beyond the classroom. With a passion for their subject, the successful applicant will enjoy working with other educators in a collaborative environment and integrating technology in a 1:1 Chromebook environment. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and deliver engaging, multisensory lessons that make history classes exciting, relevant, and connected to real life. Use hands-on materials, visual aids, technology, and varied texts and resources to support students’ understanding.
• Teach small classes, allowing you to truly get to know your students and personalize your teaching to meet their individual needs. Provide individualized and small-group instruction when necessary to deliver appropriate levels of challenge and support.
• Encourage students to develop strong critical thinking skills. Help them cultivate the tools and strategies necessary for independent thinking and reasoning.
• Regularly assess student understanding through formal and informal assessments and ongoing feedback. 
• Track academic progress, set individualized learning goals, and adjust instructional strategies to promote individual student growth. Maintain accurate records of student performance, growth, and areas requiring additional focus.
• Build a strong, positive classroom community where students feel comfortable taking risks and celebrating their successes.
• Advise students and work with students, families, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs.  
• Use technology (1:1 Chromebook program, learning software programs, school subscriptions) to enhance learning and engage students in 21st-century skills.

Other Responsibilities

• Create a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment that fosters students' self-confidence, self-advocacy, and a positive attitude toward learning. Encourage students to take risks, ask questions, and celebrate their growth and achievements.
• Provide regular and consistent communication with students, families, and colleagues.
• Stay current on best practices for teaching students with language-based learning differences and actively participate in ongoing professional development opportunities. Contribute to the school community by sharing knowledge and resources supporting diverse learners.
• Demonstrate patience, creativity, and flexibility in adapting lessons to individual student needs.
• Familiarity with assistive technologies and other resources for students with learning differences.
• Demonstrate commitment to valuing belonging and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Take pride in being part of a team that collectively works to bring together a diversity of backgrounds, thoughts, perspectives, and expressions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits: Benefits include comprehensive insurance (medical, dental, and vision coverage); short-term and long-term disability coverage, including optional life insurance; 401(K) retirement plan with employer contributions; paid leave including holidays, parental, bereavement, and sick leave; SmartBenefits (for Metro transportation); tuition remission for eligible employees; sponsored professional development; discounted facility rentals and free parking.

Physical Requirements: Moderate physical work is required for this position, including frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and reaching. Must have the ability to lift, carry, push or pull equipment/boxes that weigh up to 10 pounds. Must be able to speak clearly and understand the speech of others.    

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org. No phone inquiries, please.

Qualification Requirements

• A love of teaching and learning!
• Interest or experience in working with middle school students.
• Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education. Advanced degree and classroom experience are a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills with students, families, and colleagues.

• Strong classroom management skills and a desire to grow professionally.
• Creativity, flexibility, and a student-centered mindset.
• Experience with creative and strong curriculum development and pedagogy, including designing and implementing individualized instruction and hands-on and student-centered projects preferred.

About The Siena School

The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. With three campuses in the Washington, DC, area, Siena serves grades 3-12 and has a strong national reputation and growing enrollment. Siena's Forest Glen (grades 5-12) and Satellite (grades 3-4) campuses are in Silver Spring, MD, and Siena's Northern Virginia (grades 3-12) campus is in Oakton, VA. The school enrolls approximately 36% students of color. Siena focuses on the professional development of its staff, who are regularly published and have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices, and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply.

Connections working at The Siena School