Website Sonoma Academy
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.
Humanities Instructor Key Responsibilities:
The Humanities Instructor will be responsible for teaching core courses as well as Humanities electives of their choosing and design. Humanities classes focus on literature and history, while drawing from a range of social science disciplines, including cultural and area studies, race and gender studies, geography, philosophy, law, economics, religion, international relations, psychology, political science, linguistics, creative writing, and art. In addition to teaching, 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 in Humanities-related academic field
Minimum three years of experience teaching in grades 9-12 (Humanities, English, History, Creative Writing, or the like) or equivalent experience in a related field
Passionate about teaching high school students
Excited to develop original and innovative course offerings that challenge our students to interrogate dominant narratives and to think and write critically about their place in the world
Capacity to effectively facilitate discussions and debates with varied points of view
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 Humanities-related 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 $72,147 to $139,387. 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.
Perks 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.
