English Teacher

High School English Teacher

Reports to: Assistant Head of School & Director of Teaching, Learning, & Equity

Start Date: August 9, 2024

Dedicated to the belief that all students belong with expert and compassionate teachers, Mid-Peninsula High School empowers students with the knowledge and purpose to impact a complex world. Mid-Pen is committed to caring for and supporting our 135 students from around the Bay Area by developing authentic, personal relationships with them and their families. We seek candidates who are highly skilled, deeply committed, and who derive both professional and personal joy from working with fascinating students, supportive parents and guardians, and wonderful colleagues. 

Mid-Peninsula High School in Menlo Park, CA seeks a full-time English Teacher. This position would begin at the start of the academic year with a new staffulty meeting. We seek a candidate who wants to be a member of a thriving and compassionate community, and who is able to embrace the role of teacher, advisor, and colleague with passion and excellence. We will consider a candidate’s skills and experience when determining the salary for this position. Candidates can expect to be paid within the salary range of $65,000 to $110,000, which is competitive amongst small independent schools in our region.

What should an English teacher expect?

As members of Mid-Pen’s staffulty, we all contribute to the life of the school by upholding our core values: respect, kindness, acceptance, and responsibility. These values inform the relationships we form with students, families, and colleagues. We believe that students learn best when they are seen, cared for, and held in a safe place with appropriate boundaries. Our highly relational staffulty do their best to meet students where they are, partnering with the Learning Support Team to support students who learn differently, with the School Counselor for support with Core (our advisory system), and with members of the administrative team as necessary. Our next English teacher will collaborate closely with other members of the English department, continuing to build alignment throughout the program. Members of the English department work together to build a comprehensive and flexible curriculum that provides healthy challenges for students that prepare them well for life after high school. 9th and 10th graders take English I and II respectively, while 11th and 12th graders have choices of English III/IV General, Gender Studies, Socratic Seminar, and Advanced Composition. Our new English teacher will also have the opportunity to teach summer school and earn a stipend for that work.

With whom does an English teacher work?

Each teacher brings their own style of teaching and creative lessons to their classrooms that help further the overall goals of the department. All teachers also partner closely with the members of our Learning Support Team, who help ensure our program is accessible to all our students and who help guide teachers in their curricula and their pedagogical development. Teachers also work with the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Equity on matters of curriculum and pedagogy, and with the Assistant Head of School on matters of student behavior and classroom management.

What kinds of skills and mindsets are needed for an English teacher at Mid-Pen?

Our new English teacher will have a strong background in high school literature instruction. They should also have experience in the craft of teaching; they will have a good sense of effective classroom management, delivery of course material, and student assessment. A curious mind and enthusiasm for collaboration are key, as is a willingness to participate in the culture and community of a kind and accepting small school. They will have a BA and perhaps a graduate degree, at least one of which should have prepared them to teach English. Understanding how to tell the proverbial mountain from the molehill, pivoting when necessary, and maintaining a sense of humor are qualities that will serve our new English teacher well.  Most importantly, the new English teacher will be someone who is excited to work in a small, collegial, out-of-the-box school environment with an incredibly committed group of staffulty. 

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Designing and teaching four to five sections of English classes, including sections of English I and II (for 9th and 10th graders) and/or English III/IV (for 11th and 12th graders), that address various skill levels and learning styles.  Each section meets 4 days per week for 50 minutes. Course assignments will be discussed during the interview process, and the course assignments ultimately will be based on the candidate’s expertise and the needs of the school.
• Collaborating with department colleagues to continually develop curriculum and pedagogy that best serves our students
• Providing student-centered English pedagogy, prioritizing the development of skills and the ability to think critically
• Partnering with the Learning Support Team to support the many learning differences that are present in our student body
• Providing strong classroom management of adolescents that is characterized by poise, grace, patience, and a sense of humor
• Utilizing multiple forms of assessment that gauge student understanding, and providing timely and useful feedback to students on homework, portfolios, tests, projects, etc.
• Communicating in a timely manner with parents/guardians and colleagues
• Leading one Core group (student advisory), acting as a mentor and advisor with a holistic approach, facilitating a strong sense of community, and serving as the main point of contact for the Core students’ parents/guardians
• Attending weekly staffulty meetings, generally on Wednesdays from 2:45 pm to 4:45 pm, and other meetings as requested by the administrative team
• Being available to provide extra support during office hours: before school, 9:00 am to 9:30 am, and after school, 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm
• Integrating appropriate technology to enhance learning
• Being a collegial and spirited member of the school community, attending meetings and check-ins as necessary, and being a presence at extracurricular events occasionally
• Conveying a passion for inquiry and enthusiasm for content

Skills, Mindset, and Background:

• A willingness to embrace the Mid-Pen Mission Statement & Core values and a strong desire to be a positive, active, and joyful presence in the daily life of the school is required.
• Candidates should demonstrate a keen understanding of adolescents and how they learn best, always with an eye toward the well-being of every student.
• A bachelor’s degree in English or a related field is required.  A master’s degree in English or a related field, or other relevant graduate-level work, is a plus.
• At least three years of relevant high school teaching experience is preferred, and experience in an independent school setting is a plus but not required.
• Candidates who bring other relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
• A desire to partner with colleagues and families, flexibility, a commitment to justice/equity/diversity/inclusion, and a sense of humor are required.

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to employment@mid-pen.org. No calls, please.

Mid-Peninsula High School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Mid-Pen adheres to an employment policy that prohibits discriminatory practices or harassment against applicants or employees based on race, color, creed, age, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, any protected military or veteran status, physical disability, or any other category protected by applicable Federal, State, or Local law.

www.mid-pen.org

Tagged as: High School