Posted: 27-Jan-26
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: 62,500 - 95,000
Categories:
Required Education:
Internal Number: 1033
Charles Wright Academy
2026-2027 Job Posting for US Biology Faculty
Start Date: August 15, 2026
Position: US Science Faculty (Biology)
Reports to: Upper School Director
Supervises: N/A
Additional Terms: Exempt, 10-month faculty position, occasional travel and ability to drive required for attendance as community events, professional development, and the occasional chaperoning of student activities.
Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Grounded in a commitment to both academic excellence and experiential learning, our approach invites students to engage deeply in purposeful, interdisciplinary study that connects classroom knowledge with real-world exploration and meaning.
The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential education, artistic, athletic, international travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. A culture that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves, students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and joyful experiences for students each and every day.
Charles Wright Mission Statement
To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.
Position Description:
This position is a full-time faculty appointment to teach four sections of high school Biology for the 2026-27 academic year, including 9th grade Biology and AP Biology. Strong candidates should have the flexibility to teach a second scientific discipline and/or electives including Environmental Science, Biochemistry, Ecology, Marine Biology, etc. Additionally, strong candidates should have the desire and ability to leverage our campus and the surrounding area to create engaging courses and activities.
CWA Upper School Teachers are assigned four courses (year-long equivalent) and an Advisory. They are expected to challenge each student to develop fully his/her/their intellectual, physical, and artistic abilities, and his/her/their potential for moral conduct and responsible citizenship with the School Mission and Portrait of a Tarrier as guiding documents. In addition, each full-time Upper School teacher is expected to lead one co-curricular activity with students (e.g. coaching a sport or serving as an advisor to a major activity), participate in the Experiential Education Program, which may include leading outdoor trip and international travel, as well as participate in the daily life and culture of the school.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Department Chair and Upper School Director to design and implement an academic curriculum which is developmentally appropriate and effective for student learning, content mastery, and advancement of study and performance skills.
- Use a variety of instructional methods to create dynamic, engaging lessons, which support the diversity of learners within the classroom
- Models, imparts, and inspires enthusiasm for the subject to all students.
- Maintains complete engagement during school hours to engage with students through instruction, supervision, advisement, or conferencing time.
- Serves as an Advisor to a small group of students each year and delivers Advisory curriculum as appropriate; encourages and models growth of moral character.
- Maintains thorough and up-to-date communications to be fully engaged in partnership with students, families, and Advisors to keep them abreast of students’ performance and proactively to correct any lapse in performance or behavior.
- Engages in assigned supervision duties.
- Leads or participates in the Experiential Education Program, which may include overnight class retreats, domestic and international travel, and outdoor trips.
- Chaperone dances and attend extracurricular student activities, and other special programs.
- Attends and participates fully in all scheduled faculty and community meetings, including admissions and prospective family events.
- Works in partnership with the Student Support Team to fully support diverse needs of students.
- Lead and/or advise as a coach for athletics, advising an approved club, or similar cocurricular activity.
- Serve as a strong supporter for diversity and inclusion and be a constant champion for student belonging.
- Maintain confidential information as appropriate.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
Qualifications
Candidates will possess appropriate expertise and experience for an applicant able to perform the duties as outlined in this posting and deliver consistent and excellent outcomes.
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and have some experience teaching upper school aged students. Preferred candidates will hold or be seeking a Master’s degree in a related field, possess a current teaching certificate, and have five years of classroom teaching experience.
Qualified candidates will possess a strong commitment to experiential education, serve as a champion of diversity and inclusion and cultural competency, possess the ability to inspire and challenge young people, the capacity to work cooperatively with peers, a keenness for working with middle-grade students, a strong work ethic, and a joyful sense of humor. Candidates should be able to work flexibly with various educational technologies and an ability to navigate Google G-Suite for education and Mac hardware/systems is preferred.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time;
- Must be able to move easily around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
- Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families with appropriately sensitive and accurate communication skills.
- Must be able to consistently lift up to 25 lbs.
Salary & benefits
This position has a salary range between $62,500 and $95,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available subject to plan and candidate eligibility.
Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee-contributed 403(b) plan, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 80 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.
Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.
Paid Holidays: CWA offers 12 paid holidays per year.
Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission of 50% for those choosing to enroll eligible students at CWA, 100% discount of Extended Day child care services and Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students.
Application process
To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements (both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent supervisor) via ADP or at Charleswright.org where this posting occurs.
Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.
Inclusion Statement
Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community.
We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve.
The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020)
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and have some experience teaching upper school aged students. Preferred candidates will hold or be seeking a Master’s degree in a related field, possess a current teaching certificate, and have five years of classroom teaching experience.