Middle School (8th Grade) Science Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Middle School (8th Grade) Science Teacher

REPORTS TO:

Middle School Director

FLSA JOB CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt, 10 Month Position

JOB PURPOSE:

Greensboro Day School seeks an experienced science teacher for a full-time Middle School (8th Grade) Science Teacher position for the 2026-2027 school year.

Greensboro Day School teachers are mission focused, human-centered and experts of their craft. They are responsible for supporting the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth of their students and facilitating a classroom community of respect, kindness, integrity, and responsibility. GDS teachers are lifelong learners, field experts, and most of all, champions of children. They design and develop effective learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and guided by evidence-based practices and cognitive research.

The Middle School Science teacher promotes the development of scientific practices, cross-cutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas across a range of topics/disciplines. Using hands-on labs, they will teach students foundational science skills and develop critical thinking, encouraging curiosity and exploration.

This is a 10-month, on-campus position, five days per week, Monday through Friday, and requires occasional evening and weekend work.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teaches 4-5 sections of Middle School Science

• Coaches a Science Olympiad team (if teaching 4 sections)

• Facilitates a study hall every other day

• Advises 12-18 students during the dedicated advisory period

• Effectively plans, implements, and assesses student learning

• Designs curriculum and applies a pedagogical approach that are aligned with appropriate child and adolescent developmental stages

• Uses varied methods of instruction and assessment that are in accordance with the School’s mission, Statement of Community, educational philosophy, and departmental curriculum and competencies

• Aligns curriculum with teachers of the same grade level or course

• Implements a variety of brain-based teaching strategies including movement, interleaving, and other effective strategies informed by the learning sciences to maximize each student’s learning potential

• Effectively implements best-practice pedagogical strategies that include a variety and balance of direct instruction, individual student practice, whole-class discussion, collaborative learning, inquiry-based learning, experiential, and hands-on learning

• Clearly defines and communicates expectations for student success

• Uses assessments as a student learning tool by providing clear and timely feedback so students can learn from their mistakes and improve their long-term learning

• Understands the strengths and growth areas of each student

• Reflects on lesson design, implementation, and student outcomes and makes adjustments to ensure student success

• Manages the classroom to ensure a physically and emotionally safe climate at all times for self and students

• Responds to needs of the whole class and individual students and collaborates with the counseling and learning support staff to understand and implement teaching strategies recommended in learning plans

• Cultivates in each student an understanding of and appreciation for a wide range of perspectives, approaches to learning, and content

• Develops and regularly updates the curriculum framework and syllabi in collaboration with the Associate Head of School for People & Program, division director, department chair, colleagues, and/or consultants on an annual basis and during the curriculum review cycle

• Participates in the Professional Growth and Development Program focusing on Planning and Preparation, Instruction, Classroom Environment, and Professional Responsibilities (Danielson Framework) as outlined in the Employee Handbook

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Shares in the day-to-day life of the school community, which includes serving as an advisor, organizing clubs, attending assemblies, participating in committees as necessary (i.e., Grade Level Team, Student Services Team, division-based Leadership Team), and fulfilling assigned duties (such as lunch supervision, carpool, and bus duty)

• Is active and present as a GDS community member by participating in school functions and students’ extracurricular life (such as admission events, attending arts and athletics events, and planning and/or serving as a chaperone on day and/or overnight field trips)

• Serves as a chaperone during the annual Building Community Retreats (BCRs) as needed, which typically requires 1-3 nights of overnight chaperoning

• Communicates in a timely manner with students and parents to inform them about successes, progress, and/or concerns

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Head of School

GDS Cultural Competencies

GDS Employee Skills

• Human-Centered

• Data-Informed

• Empathetic

• Collaborative

• Professionalism

• Technologically Fluent

• Adaptable & Growth Mindset

• Inclusive

• Productive conflict resolution

• Integrity

• Welcoming

• Respectful

• Listens to Understand

• Relationship-Focused

• Student-Centered

• Field Expertise

• Coachable

• Lifelong Learner

• Kind

Teacher Competencies

• Kid Champion

• Chief modeler of respect, kindness, integrity, & responsibility

• Intellectually Curious

• Lover of learning for self and students

• Curriculum expert

• Culturally competent

• Proactive, Effective, & Professional Communicator

• Reflective

• Responsive

• Patient

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or higher preferred; Degree in Science or related field of study preferred

• Successful teaching experience (minimum of two years preferred)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Daily work requires supervising students both indoors and outdoors. Faculty are required to participate in regular safety drills, learn CPR, learn how to apply a tourniquet, provide basic first aid, administer epi-pens when needed, and be able to support other student-specific health-related needs. Some weekend, evening, or early morning work may be required from time to time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The position may require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, standing to teach, and working on a computer. They must be able to move quickly and frequently from standing to sitting with ease and lift up to 50 pounds. Teachers must also be able to traverse the classroom and adjust one's tone and height, by bending or leaning, in order to teach each child. All teachers must be able to provide adequate supervision indoors and outdoors, and they must be able to ensure the safety of students during drills and emergencies that may arise from time to time. This position has frequent exposure to loud sounds and high noise levels on a weekly basis.

DIRECT REPORTS:

There are no direct reports for the Middle School Science Teacher.