High School English Teacher
High School English Teacher
Job Category: High School: Grades 9-12 and Subject Teacher
Opening Statement
The Hartsbrook High School is seeking an English Teacher. The High School English Teacher, in consultation with the HS Chair, will be responsible for developing and delivering curriculum for two main lesson seminars, one year-long course and one semester-long course, as well as a year-long course in the 8th grade. The English Teacher role involves creating an intentionally inclusive classroom culture grounded in the tenets of Waldorf philosophy that meets the needs of students today, collaborating with colleagues on a daily basis, and participating in the overall life of the school, which includes but is not limited to advising, festivals, caregiver evenings and communication, and attending faculty/staff meetings. The teacher will provide a quality experience for a diverse group of students that reflects an understanding of a developmental approach, as well as connects the contents of the curriculum to our mission and values, including working in community, creating kinship with nature and citizenship in the greater world, and finding joy in learning.
This position is at 60% time, with the possibility of increasing to a full time workload depending on the budget and interest of the candidate in Middle School teaching.
About
About The Hartsbrook School
The Hartsbrook School is a Waldorf school, originally founded in 1981 with five preschool students in a little farmhouse. We have grown to over 250 students with programming from Parent/Infant classes to Grade 12. Our 54-acre campus, with farmland, woodlands, streams, and spectacular views of the Seven Sisters hills of the Holyoke Range, enhances and deepens our students’ daily experiences. We are situated in the middle of the five-college area of the Connecticut River Valley, which offers world-class cultural events, restaurants, movies, galleries, boutiques, local farms, dance, music, and theater. Our faculty and staff are a multi-generational group who strive to support each other in our shared work.
The Hartsbrook School holds a vision in which our larger community is represented, reflected, and celebrated in our school – in race, economic situation, gender, sexuality, family composition, ability, nationality, religion, and more. Such a vision is rooted in and expands upon Hartsbrook’s mission to nurture the unique spirit of each child and to prepare students to meet the challenges of the future and to find purpose and meaning in their lives.
We have taken up the work of building a more equitable, diverse, and accessible school culture in a robust way and are proud of our accomplishments in this area. We are committed to continuing to deepen our community’s ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds, build mutual understanding and friendship, and enrich the collective life of the school and our individual lives. We believe such work is healing, restorative, and life-giving for everyone involved. As we learn to fully see and understand each other in our differences – and to celebrate those differences – we will move towards a more equitable, just, and welcoming school environment where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
The Hartsbrook School is committed to enhancing diversity and equity in education and employment. To that end, the School welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences, who will contribute to a culture of inclusion and respect. For more information about Hartsbrook’s position on diversity and inclusion, please visit our website at: hartsbrook.org/about/inclusion-equity-and-diversity
Essential Job Duties
With the students:
- Teaches the following courses:
- 9th Grade English
- 11th/12th semester electives: Battlefields of the Imagination: The Literature of War (every other year) and Intro to Film Studies (every other year)
- Poetry: 10th Grade Main Lesson Seminar
- The Quest: The Search for Identity Through Literature: 11th Grade Main Lesson Seminar
- 8th Grade English
- Designs and implements an appropriate curriculum that effectively engages students in the acquisition of critical reading, writing and analysis skills that is culturally relevant and includes time for self directed learning, direct experience, movement, and artistic activities.
- Designs and leads age appropriate conversations and activities fostering a sense of belonging for all students and allowing students to continue the journey of self-discovery and inclusion of all identities.
- Infuses principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into all of the above and brings an eagerness to learn and grow in this area.
- Designs curriculum based on waldorf principles, articulated learning outcomes, shares a comprehensive syllabus, and follows up with timely assessments and reports.
- Advises up to 10 individual students and one grade level, bringing intentionality to the social-emotional development of students and to intentional community building.
- Attends and helps design/lead overnight trips including student orientation and a week-long intensive trip connected with “The Quest” main lesson seminar.
- Attends to weekly supervisory duties.
With colleagues:
- The High School faculty works together to support one another.
- They create and review the curriculum and program that is aligned with the overall Waldorf curriculum and benchmarks, create strategic plans and work with and report to the HS Chair.
- Collaborates with the HS Chair regarding budget for materials and supplies.
- Attends a weekly HS Faculty meeting on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:15pm
- Advises and informs the HS Chair regarding any needs or issues related to organizing or managing the teaching program or supervisory duties.
- Completes required trainings and oversees compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Accompanies/chaperones field trips, including a week-long intensive trip and High School Orientation.
- Participates in general activities such as morning meetings and supervisory duties during time at school.
- Attends and chaperones occasional evening events including two dances.
- Ensures each day that the classroom is clean, tidy and organized for the next day.
With parents/caregivers:
- Maintains regular communication with parents/caregivers.
- Is available for parent/caregiver teacher conversations.
- Participates in Parent/Caregiver Teacher Conferences twice a year.
- Participates in three Parent/Caregiver evenings a year.
- Encourages an understanding of Waldorf High School education amongst families.
- Communicates directly with parents/caregivers as appropriate and needed around student performance, logistical matters, and expectations.
Qualifications
- A commitment to Waldorf Education, with experience and training in Waldorf education strongly preferred
- An understanding of a developmental approach to education, as well as to connecting the contents of the curriculum to our values and mission, including finding joy in learning, connection to nature, and working in community
- Teaching experience is essential, together with an interest in Waldorf education and in pursuing Waldorf Teacher Training within three years of being hired
- A commitment to issues of identity, diversity, equity and inclusion and demonstrated experience creating inclusive classroom experiences for a diverse student body
- Timeliness in meeting deadlines, organized record-keeping and reporting, ability to hold confidentiality and to effectively collaborate with a diverse set of colleagues
- Ability to work with students who present different needs in the classroom
- A commitment to collegiality and collaboration
Employment Details
The base salary for a 60% time teacher is $27,029 with additional steps commensurate with experience.
Benefits include employer contributions to health and dental plans short-term and long-term disability insurance, sick time, personal time, and professional development funding. Generous tuition remission is available for eligible children enrolling at Hartsbrook.
To Apply
Please send your complete application to employment@hartsbrook.org which will include:
- A cover letter explaining your interest and suitability;
- Your most recent and up-to-date resume;
- A completed Employment Application including the names of at least three (3) references;
- All employees need to pass a background check, including fingerprinting, and must possess the legal right to work in the United States.
Please visit our website for application instructions and to learn more about Hartsbrook: https://www.hartsbrook.org/about/employment/