Middle School Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher

A Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher at Cary Academy is part of a larger faculty team dedicated to working together with students in a highly interactive and collaborative learning environment that inspires inquiry and an enduring love of learning.  Cary Academy teachers are expected to share a passion for their content area(s) in engaging and meaningful ways and to challenge students to relate their learning to other disciplines and to the world in which they live.  They also serve as advisors, contribute to the school’s rich experiential and extracurricular programming, and participate actively in the life of our learning community.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the Teaching Faculty:

• Teach a standard load of classes (typically 4 sections), including curriculum design, materials development, assessment, and feedback to students.
• Lead and support a group of student advisees, providing academic guidance, nurturing social-emotional connection, and facilitating advisory programming in collaboration with a grade-level advisor team.
• Develop and facilitate experiential learning opportunities in support of the work of the Center for Community Engagement.
• Participate in the community life of our School by attending student events and sponsoring clubs and/or other student activities. 

As a Cary Academy Employee:

• Engage actively in the school’s diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism work in all aspects of your professional responsibilities and interactions in furtherance of Cary Academy’s commitment to equity and justice.
• Attend and actively participate in all required School professional development activities in areas to include, but not limited to, safety and security; diversity, equity, and inclusion; student learning and support; technology; and school operations.
• Engage authentically in processes of self-reflection and improvement of practice, including full participation in the school’s Professional Growth and Renewal Program.
• Complete all required administrative and operational tasks and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and school policies and procedures as articulated in handbooks, operating guides and other school policy and procedure communications and documentation in a responsive and timely manner.
• Use designated technology assets and platforms as directed by school policies and procedures to allow for secure, effective, and collaborative school operations. Work collaboratively with the Information Services team to research, implement and evaluate technology resources related to position responsibilities.
• Perform other projects and duties as assigned in support of both divisional and school operations and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL EXPECTATIONS

As a member of the Teaching Faculty:

• Ensure that curricula are inclusive, age-appropriate, innovative, and engaging.
• Know students as individuals and create a supportive learning environment that honors diverse identities and experiences.
• Employ a broad range of instructional strategies and culturally responsive practices to address the needs of all learners.
• Establish appropriate expectations that ensure balance in the lives of students and their families.
• Engage students in constructivist learning activities and provide them with opportunities to make choices in what they learn and how they demonstrate their learning.
• Use technology creatively and effectively to enhance teaching and learning and prepare students for the future.
• Include collaboration as an integral part of the student learning experience.
• Provide students with timely, ongoing, and constructive feedback and opportunities for revision and reassessment.
• Teach, model, and emphasize the community values of respect, integrity, and compassion in all areas of responsibility.

As a Cary Academy Employee:

• Perform position responsibilities in a professional manner that overtly upholds and supports the school’s commitment to its Cornerstones as detailed in the Employee Handbook.
• Model and ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and work environment.
• Honor the confidentiality of student, family, employee, and school information.
• Work collegially with other employees in ways that nurture a culture of professional collaboration, exchange, and growth.
• Engage with students, parents, employees, and alumni as well as members of the external community with courtesy, sensitivity, understanding, and discretion.
• Demonstrate a mindset and commitment to ongoing professional growth and innovation in your specific role at Cary Academy as well as in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion; student learning and support; and technology.
• Ensure technology skills meet current standards as defined by Information Services, consistent with Cary Academy’s profile as a technology-forward school. Utilize the school’s technology resources efficiently and effectively for school operations, adapting readily to changes and seeking guidance where needed.  Apply emerging technologies to position responsibilities as applicable.
• Plan and prepare appropriately for position responsibilities.
• Demonstrate regular, predictable, and reliable on-campus attendance.
  
  

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in content area or related field; advanced degree preferred.
Experience:  At least 3 years of full-time teaching experience in the content area(s), preferably with Middle School students.
Equivalency:  Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements. 

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

As a Cary Academy Employee:

• Strong interpersonal skills that uphold the school’s values of respect, integrity and compassion as well as contribute toward a learning and work environment that maintains and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Must be able to interact with other members of the Cary Academy community in a collaborative and positive manner.
• Ability to interact with students in a safe and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Effective oral and written communication skills that allow for successful execution of position responsibilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills that allow for the ability to successfully handle a multi-priority, deadline-oriented work environment on an ongoing basis.
• Working knowledge of technology platforms to communicate, collaborate, and conduct business; experience in a Microsoft 365 ecosystem preferred.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a mission-centered organization.
• Ability to work independently and prevent or solve problems in areas of responsibility without requiring significant ongoing direction and guidance.
  
  

WORK SCHEDULE

Days:  In general, Teaching Faculty are scheduled to work on campus Monday through Friday as determined by the academic calendar. Certain work requirements, extracurricular responsibilities, or unplanned academic calendar changes could result in a need for a temporary modification of this schedule, including work on the weekends.

Hours: In general, Teaching Faculty are expected to work Monday-Friday when school is in session, and to be present for student assemblies and to attend all team, advisory, departmental, faculty and other employee meetings. Regular working hours for full-time faculty members during each school day vary depending upon the scheduled start time in each division and meetings or activities that may be required before or after school. In addition, certain activities, including but not limited to student conferences, field trips, performances, and competitions, may occasionally result in evening and/or weekend hours as determined by a faculty member’s primary and extracurricular position responsibilities.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION 

Division:  Middle School
Department:  Language Arts, Social Studies
Reports to:  Head of Middle School
Directly Supervises:  n/a
Indirectly Supervises:  n/a
Internal Relationships:   All current Cary Academy employees, parents, and students 
External Relationships:    Vendors, suppliers, alumni, alumni families

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Specific tasks and deadlines may vary and are provided to the employee by the supervisor.