Interim Lower School Science Teacher

Peninsula School Job Description

Interim Lower School Science Teacher - 2024-2025 

(with the possibility of a continued contract)

Why Peninsula School? 

Imagine a place where intellectual curiosity, social and emotional learning, and social justice intertwine to create a dynamic learning environment. Peninsula's wooded, 6-acre campus is not just a setting; it’s a place where children thrive and develop to their full promise as confident contributors in the world, learn about themselves and others, discover their passions, and grow in an inclusive community rich with choices, exploration, and play. In addition to intellectual development and social and emotional learning (SEL), we educate for democracy, student choice and voice, and social justice.

Context: The Interim Lower School Science Teacher is part of the Specialist team. Specialist teachers work as part of the whole school team, sequencing and coordinating curriculum and collaborating to serve our children. Specialist teachers are provided flexibility in their classrooms to enable them to best serve the needs and interests of their students in alignment with their content specialty while remaining true to the mission, values, and progressive pedagogy of the Peninsula School.  The Interim Lower School Science Teacher also collaborates extensively with Head teachers and The Director of Instruction & Belonging to realize a cross-disciplinary program. 

Job Title: Interim Lower School Science Teacher, 80% FTE with benefits

What Awaits You:

• Competitive Compensation: Earn between $56,600 to $73,800, depending on your experience. 
• Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, life and long-term disability insurance and retirement savings and matching plans, because your well-being matters to us.
• Inspiring Community: Immerse yourself in a supportive, inclusive community dedicated to learning and engaged citizenship.
• Room for Growth: Grow both personally and professionally in an environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Interim Lower School Science Teacher position maintains three areas of school program: 1. Science classes in the Lower School classrooms (Preschool-4th grade); 2. Afternoon Lower School science Activities time (student elective); 3. Day and overnight trips (to include camping) for Lower School classes; There is an option to additionally support the program via after-school Enrichment classes if a candidate is interested.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Support and promote Peninsula School’s mission and values by providing a cutting edge, progressive science program for Preschool-4th grade using innovative instructional methods and materials that fosters a positive learning experience and measurable student growth. 
• Create a guideline of curriculum topics to be covered and be in dialogue with the Director of Instruction & Belonging related to the cultivation of the science program
• Participate in and contribute to the school’s process of continual reflection and evolution of program, with specific attention to the science program becoming more transdisciplinary and embedded into the daily curriculum of the school
• Remain current on educational research, topics and progressive practices relevant to Lower School practice and science education.
• Participate in coaching conversations and peer-review on an as-needed basis
• Meet on a regular basis with the Director of Instruction & Belonging, and other colleagues related to program articulation and progress
• Maintain a cooperative classroom environment that encourages authentic application of learning, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity
• Teach Lower School Science (Preschool-4th grade)
• Class Instruction - Develop, plan and teach developmentally appropriate science units that integrate STEAM initiatives and project based learning at each level in the Lower School
• Collaborate with peers to create a cutting edge, transdisciplinary science program that is connected across subject areas 
• Science Activities - Daily Student Choice Based Schedule Block
• Curate and design activities that are inquiry-based that integrate STEAM and project based learning (PBL), and provide students with expanded options for STEAM exploration through lab work, makerspace challenges, campus exploration,  and camping
• Expand science program to highlight environmental sustainability and justice 
• Create and maintain a welcoming, safe, equitable and respectful learning environment that honors and values the learning and cultural diversity of the student population
• Maintain an organized, clean, safe, positive classroom space that remains free of clutter
• Monitor student learning and collaborate with peers and families on student growth and development
• Maintain open lines of communication with parents/caregivers and clearly communicate student learning to students, parents and colleagues
• Collaborate and communicate constructively with other teaching staff, Director of Instruction & Belonging, Learning Specialists, and all staff members
• Camping coordination and participation for Lower School in partnership with Head Teachers
• Examine and evaluate science curriculum and teaching regularly and adjust as needed 
• Attend and contribute positively at staff meetings, inservice meetings,  and school Admissions events
• Participate in school committees as needed and specified by the Director of Instruction & Belonging
• Integrate anti-racist principles and practices into teaching and learning
• Recognize and address the unique needs and varied learning styles of all children, ensuring each child’s progress in all areas 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and sound hearing. The ability to speak clearly and coherently is required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. On occasion, the employee is required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employees are required to operate a computer and office productivity machinery, communicate across a variety of media, and work in close proximity to others. The role may also require the employee to work in inclement weather during special activities and work at a desk for extended periods of time. Additionally, extensive mobility is required to be able to lead hiking based field trips. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to listen, physically direct, and speak. The employee is required to sit (sometimes for extended periods); stand; walk on a variety of surfaces; climb stairs, bend and squat when communicating with younger students; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. 

The noise and activity level in the work environment is variable, with times of quiet and times of high stimulation and activity. 

To Apply: Please fill out an employment application (also found on the Join Our Team page of our website www.peninsulaschool.org/join-our-team) and send it with a cover letter and resumé, to HR@peninsulaschool.org addressed to Ayesha Sumbal, Director of Instruction & Belonging.