Upper School English and Writing Center Teacher

Available Position:

Upper School English and Writing Center Teacher

Department:

Upper School

Reports to:

Head of Upper School

FLSA Classification:

Exempt (Salary)

Full/Part-time:

Full-time (10 months)

Date Posted:

June 20, 2024

Start Date:

August 2024

About The Hockaday School:

The Hockaday School is an independent, college preparatory school for girls of strong potential and diverse backgrounds who may be expected to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in a rapidly changing world. With an enrollment of more than 1,100 students, The Hockaday School is the nation's largest prekindergarten through grade 12 independent girls' school. Ranked among the country's finest college preparatory schools, it was founded over a century ago and continues today to build on its original Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics.

Hockaday's faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field and students in every grade benefit from outstanding faculty and access to unmatched resources. Families who choose Hockaday care deeply about providing their daughters with a comprehensive and rigorous education, both inside and outside the classroom. Hockaday's student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the School.

Position Description:

The Hockaday Writing Center is a PK-12 th Grade program that offers consulting in all areas of academic writing.The goal of the Writing Center is to provide a supportive environment that facilitates students' development of clear thinking and insightful, persuasive writing. Working with the Writing Center Director, the Writing Center faculty member will meet one-on-one with students to support their progress with writing assignments in all Upper School disciplines, as well as partner with Middle School and Lower School teachers and students to support writing within those divisions

As a member of the English Department, the position will participate in all department responsibilities and will teach a reduced load of Upper School English classes. The primary goal of Hockaday's English Department is to foster students who think critically, read with appreciation and understanding, and write authentically for a variety of audiences and purposes. To accomplish these goals, English teachers embrace a student-centered pedagogy, enhancing skills and promoting confidence through discussion-based classrooms, individual student conferences, and collaborative writing workshops.

Qualified candidates will possess a mastery of subject, pedagogical versatility, and commitment to students. Passionate about literature and writing, they model the joy of learning, and they embrace professional development opportunities as they seek the best for those students and for themselves. In addition to Writing Center coaching, teaching, and leading an advisory, the faculty member will sponsor clubs as needed and be available for student extracurricular activities.

Essential Functions:

· Teach two sections of US English. Each section meets for 85 minutes three times per 7-day rotation.

· Conference with students in the Writing Center between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm daily.

· Coach and support Writing Center interns

· Co-teach New Student Writing Workshops during the summer

· Serve as an advisor to a group of Upper School students

· Develop and execute engaging lesson plans creating an environment which allows students to think critically and independently

· Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students

· Effectively use technology in a way that expands class time and engages the class in the global community

· Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and parents

· Serve as an example to colleagues in manners of classroom management, teaching methods, and school procedures

· Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Experience:

· Advanced degree in English or related field is preferred

· Experience and a willingness teaching a range of levels in Upper School English, preferably in independent schools

· Experience working in a Writing Center at the upper school or collegiate level preferred

· A commitment to staying current with best practices for writing centers at the upper school level

· Expert knowledge of the elements of literary analysis and writing mechanics

· Experience developing curriculum strongly preferred

· Experience and interest in developing innovative uses of technology in the classroom as well as comfort with its administrative use

· Ability to teach students both in the classroom and online, as needed

· Commitment to being a supportive, respectful, and energetic colleague and mentor

· Must have the ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School-required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks.

Training:

· Participate in all requisite School trainings prior to the start of the school and throughout the school year

· Attend required staff development and training sessions throughout the year

· Attend periodic in-service meetings

· Acknowledge receipt of the current Employee Handbook and are responsible for reviewing the contents and abiding by rules, policies and procedures stated in the Handbook or otherwise by the School

· Abide by Hockaday's Code of Ethics and Conduct

· Commit to the ideals expressed in Hockaday's Tenets of Faculty Excellence

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

· Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate

· Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time; ability to observe students from various distances

· Frequently required to move around the office/classroom; works at a desk for extended periods of time

· Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30lbs. across the campus/classroom/office

· Ability to periodically support before and after-school or weekend events

· Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, fellow staff and community members

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description reflects administration's assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts administration's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Application Requirements:

Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment under "How to Apply" at and attach a cover letter and résumé. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application and additional details to complete the application process. Contact with any questions.

The Hockaday School is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy not to discriminate, and to comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable protected classification.