Upper School Life Science Teacher

2026-2027 Job Description

It takes a whole educator to teach the whole student. If you are excited by the prospect of living your professional life side-by-side other educators who are dedicated to the principles of holistic teaching and learning, if you are ready to be challenged and rewarded not just by delivering a robust curriculum but by helping to co-create the whole-student curriculum of the future, then Dunn School is looking for you.

The mission of Dunn School is to educate whole students to their fullest potential in preparation for a life of learning and responsible leadership in society. To accomplish our mission, we as students, teachers, staff, parents, trustees, and friends are committed to understanding and living by five core values: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility, and Moral Courage.

Position Summary

We are in search of a full-time Upper School Life Science Teacher to join our innovative Professional Community. Teachers at Dunn work in a collaborative, cooperative, student-centered academic environment. Dunn is a community of educators and learners that is deeply dedicated to Whole Student Education, and so you will be involved with many facets of the Dunn School boarding and day programs such as classroom teaching, coaching, advising, and more. 

At Dunn School, teacher effectiveness and impact are measured and aligned to the Dunn School Characteristics of Professional Excellence (follow this link for more detail), The CPEs describe an educator who is committed to the following: Professional Growth, Collegiality/Community, Mission and Core Values, Student-Centered, Academic Excellence, Individualized Instruction.

Opportunities (Responsibilities)

• Teach 5 sections of Life Science (level and specific courses to be determined)
• Teach experiential classes
• Coach 1 season of after-school athletics or activities
• Serve as a Student Advisor (4-6 students)
• Participate in the Dunn School Outdoor Education and Leadership Program
• Participate in school wide events and professional community meetings
• Other opportunities and roles to be determined

Core Competencies

• Life Science teaching experience working with students in a 6th- through 12th-grade educational environment (residential experience preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree (Master's degree preferred)
• Growth mindset, flexibility, comfort with a dynamic environment, and openness to collaboration and experimentation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to integrate technology within scope of role responsibility

• Demonstrable commitment to professional growth, openness to feedback and improvement, modeling lifelong learning of practice as well as subject area
• A sense of humor and strong interpersonal skills
• A commitment to teaching the whole student, and a desire to help guide adolescents in their journey from childhood to young adulthood

Other Requirements

• Successful completion of following:
• criminal background and driving record check and completion of SB 848
• employment reference checks with your current employer
• social media review
• satisfactory proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the U.S.

About Dunn School

Dunn is a community centered on educating the whole student. For us, whole student education is not just a meaningless phrase, instead it captures all of what we try to do at Dunn in and out of the classroom. Our curriculum, co-curricular programs, advisory, evaluative systems, and pedagogical approach are measured by our values, and this is how we know whole student education is more than just a phrase.

Dunn School was founded in 1957 by a dynamic educator who embodied the spirit of our motto,  “Ne Tentes Aut Perfice,” essentially translating to mean “all or nothing” —  a statement that reflects a special entrepreneurial spirit urging Dunn community members, adults and students alike to accomplish what they set out to do. Following in the traditions of our founder, Tony Dunn, our professional community members throughout the decades have helped build a vibrant community of kind learners who pride themselves on building lasting relationships with each other. Additionally, Dunn is a Round Square School, dedicated to character development via the IDEALS in practice: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service.

All this unfolds before in the beautiful Santa Barbara County backdrop of Los Olivos, California, nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley and within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean. Outdoor opportunities abound, and what better way to experience them than from within such an encouraging and nurturing professional community?

Salary and Benefits

This is a full time, exempt (salaried) position, which is eligible for Dunn School’s full benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, retirement match up to 7.5%, life/AD&D, tuition remission, and free meals in our dining hall. 

The salary range for this position is $50,000 to $75,000. Actual salary will be dependent upon experience.

How to Apply

Apply using the link below:

Dunn School Employment Opportunities

Dunn is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks a diverse and broad spectrum of quali?ed candidates. Dunn's background screening process requires employees to undergo a social media check, satisfactory reference checks with prior and current employers, and a successful criminal background screening.

About Dunn School

Dunn is a community centered on educating the whole student. For us, whole student education is not just a meaningless phrase, instead it captures all of what we try to do at Dunn in and out of the classroom. We deliver on whole student education through the following learning outcomes that we call core values: Emotional Wellness, Physical Readiness, Intellectual Growth, Social Responsibility, and Moral Courage. Our curriculum, co-curricular programs, advisory, evaluative systems, and pedagogical approach are measured by our core values, and this is how we know whole student education is more than just a phrase. Our school was founded in 1957 by a dynamic educator who embodied the spirit of our motto, “Ne Tentes Aut Perfice,” essentially translating to mean “all or nothing.” — a statement that reflects a special entrepreneurial spirit urging Dunn community members, adults and students alike to accomplish what they set out to do. Following in the traditions of our founder, Tony Dunn, our professional community members throughout the decades have helped build the community we have today–a vibrant community of kind learners who pride themselves on building lasting relations...hips with each other. All this unfolds before the beautiful Santa Barbara County backdrop of Los Olivos, California, nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley and within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean. Outdoor opportunities abound, and what better way to experience them than from within such an encouraging and nurturing professional community?

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Dunn School