Mark Day School

Independent, Co-educational K-8

7th Grade History and 6th Grade Humanities Teacher

Full-Time Position Beginning August 2019

Mark Day School seeks a collaborative, innovative educator with a passion for teaching history and English and working with middle school students. Teach history to seventh graders and humanities (history and English) to sixth graders, and collaborate with the current history and English team toward shared learning objectives. Come join us and teach in a community characterized by academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, close collaboration between colleagues, a block schedule, a 1:1 laptop program and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Teachers nurture, engage and challenge all learners by mixing traditional best practices with progressive, student-centered approaches such as project-based learning, student-centered inquiry, and inclusive discussion formats that are responsive to the developmental stages of adolescent learners. Mark Day School's current strategic plan (available on our school website) also calls for the integration and development of our four cross-disciplinary literacies throughout a student's experience: social and emotional literacy, media and information literacy, global and cross-cultural literacy, and ecological literacy.

History and English at Mark Day School

Skills, understandings and attitudes developed throughout sixth and seventh grade include broad metacognitive skills, such as growth mindset, self-advocacy, time management, and collaboration, alongside specific content knowledge, understandings and skills associated with history and English. History students learn to apply knowledge to better understand the present, pose thoughtful questions about the past, present, and future, research and critically evaluate sources, and construct historical arguments and interpretations. They also learn to analyze the impact of bias and injustice in the world, and take stands on social justice issues in their everyday lives. 6th grade units of study include early humans and ancient civilizations with historical thinking skills woven throughout. 7th grade history continues the exploration of civilizations and their impact on world history through the study of West African Kingdoms, the rise of Islam, Medieval Europe, and Mesoamerica. Students complete the year with an in-depth culminating research project of a self-selected historical mystery. English students in 6th grade critically engage with a wide variety of texts including whole class novels, poetry, small group novels and independently selected books. They develop effective and powerful written communication, including analytical, narrative and creative writing. They also build public speaking and group discussion skills.

Opportunities and Responsibilities

• Teach history to 7th graders and humanities (history and English) to 6th grade students.
• Collaborate with the current history and English team toward common learning objectives.
• Demonstrate academic and multicultural competency in classroom pedagogy, including innovative teaching, recognizing and responding to various learning profiles, and the application of professional work in diversity, equity, and inclusion to the classroom and school environment.
• Set high academic and behavioral expectations while maintaining a climate of responsibility, safety, enthusiasm, and fun.
• Form supportive and responsive relationships with students and families.
• Differentiate instruction to challenge every learner.
• Build a strong, positive classroom community in which students advocate for themselves and others.
• Provide constructive, timely feedback that fosters a growth mindset.
• Use available technology to enhance student learning, faculty collaboration and responsive communication. Technologies include: 1:1 laptops, Google Suite (mail, drive, calendar, and Google Classroom), SMART boards, and a variety of applications and learning management tools for assigning tasks, representing learning, and providing feedback.
• Participate in relevant committee work related to community-wide school initiatives and attend regular team meetings as applicable.
• Help chaperone the 6th grade outdoor education trip.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution
• Relevant teaching experience with a minimum of two years preferred
• Subject area knowledge in history and English
• Proven cultural competence in a community committed to issues of diversity, equity and social justice.
• Strong skills with initiative, follow through, organization, collaboration and communication.
• Experience managing projects with significant logistics and multiple stakeholders

More About Mark Day School

Mark Day School has established a consistent practice of thoughtful innovation in its curricular program, focusing on current century skills and concepts including four cross-curricular literacies:  Cross-Cultural Literacy, Media and Information Literacy, Ecoliteracy, and Social, Emotional, and Ethical Literacy. Highlights include the NAIS Leading Edge Award-winning Media Literacy program; well-established local and global partnerships with the Canal Alliance of San Rafael, eSibonisweni School and Kliptown Youth Program in South Africa, Beijing #2 Experimental Primary School in China, and Pan American School in Costa Rica, among others; iPads in the third and fourth grades; class sets of laptops in fifth grade and a one-to-one laptop program beginning in sixth grade; Mandarin and Spanish language beginning in kindergarten; a commitment to differentiation across the school; and more.

Mark Day School is a vibrant and diverse community, and all community members continue to work towards the furthering of an inclusive and supportive school.  The school is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and multiculturalism.  Mark Day School’s salary and benefits are very competitive by both NAIS and regional standards.  For more information about Mark Day School, please visit our website (www.markdayschool.org).

Interested candidates should visit our website and send a letter of interest and resume via email to usresumes@markdayschool.org.  We will begin getting in contact with strong candidates immediately upon receiving materials.