Sustainability Educator

Overview of School:

Sonoma Academy is an independent high school located in Santa Rosa, CA on a 34-acre campus, surrounded by 1,000 acres of protected open space, at the base of Taylor Mountain. Founded in 2001, it provides an engaging, challenging, and innovative college preparatory education and a supportive community for motivated learners from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino counties. The school currently serves 330 students in grades 9 through 12 and is increasing its enrollment each year. Of our 330 students, over 30% self-identify as students of color, and our students come from 80+ middle schools, ensuring a broad mixture of students from all over the greater North Bay Area.

Our Mission:  Sonoma Academy calls its students to be creative, ethical, and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.

Sonoma Academy’s Commitment to Diversity: We believe that learning occurs best in a connected community. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to an education in which all members of our community thrive. We are committed to cultivating a diverse community that is conscious and welcoming of difference, dedicated to investigating and advancing equity, and engages with our local and global community. If you would like to join us in our work, we would welcome your application. As we are deeply committed to having a staffulty (staff and faculty) and student body which reflects the rich diversity within the North Bay, we strongly encourage candidates from BIPOC and/or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented to apply.

For more information on programs and philosophy, please visit our website: www.sonomaacademy.org.

Sustainability Educator Key Responsibilities:

This Sustainability Educator is a faculty member instructing classes, including but not limited to Environmental Science and Civic Engagement, and leading the Environmental Stewardship Concentration. Sonoma Academy’s students have been deeply engaged with local, state, and national lawmakers to address the climate crisis, and this position will continue the spirit of that work as the facilitator for the student-led advocacy group. In addition, the successful candidate will also have responsibilities that may include leading Exploratories, Intersession, Advisory, and Clubs as well as chaperoning trips, retreats, and student events.

Required Skills and Experiences:

• BA/BS in related academic field
• Minimum three years of relevant experience teaching in grades 9-12 (including Environmental Science, Civic Engagement, etc.) or equivalent experience in a related field
• Experience facilitating student-led advocacy groups or equivalent experience
• Passionate about student-centered teaching and working with high school students
• Excited to develop original and innovative course offerings
• Thinks creatively about pedagogy and assessment and exhibits commitment to continued professional growth in those areas
• Works collaboratively as a member of a connected community to deliver a range of programs, including Intersession, Advisory, Exploratory, DEI work, retreats and more.
• Committed to working in a community of diverse students and learners; actively supports adolescent growth and well-being
• Practices cultural competency in all aspects of school life
• Flexibility, resilience, good humor
• Capable of teaching both remotely and in person

Desired Skills and Experiences:

Advanced degree (MA, PhD, or equivalent) in a relevant academic field

Compensation:

Sonoma Academy has a multi-step salary scale in place for faculty members that includes differentials for advanced degrees and annual guaranteed step increases. The current salary scale ranges from $75,000 to $144,000. The school will evaluate the faculty member’s relevant teaching experience and they will be placed on the scale at the appropriate level upon hiring.

Benefits of working at SA:

Comprehensive benefits package, including 100% paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees with several plan options to meet individuals’ specific needs
Generous retirement plan contribution of 7% of base salary. Please note that this does not require an employee’s matching contribution.

Commitment to professional development, including generously- funded training opportunities and a dedicated “exploratory fund” of $450 annually for learning opportunities unrelated to work.
Healthy and nutritious lunch service offered at no cost to employees during the school year (when on campus and our kitchen operational)
A professional work environment defined by teamwork, collegiality, trust, agility, and altruism.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a professional office environment at a private, independent high school.
This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work.

Sonoma Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Sonoma Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.