GENERAL SUMMARY:

Roland Park Country School is seeking a full-time Lower School Science Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. The ideal candidate must possess the ability to foster an engaging learning environment that is accessible to a broad range of learners. The science teacher must be a passionate educator with comprehensive knowledge of elementary science education, and a proven ability to connect curriculum content to student experiences and cultural frames of reference.

The Lower School science program is designed to foster a student's curiosity in the natural world and build a life-long love of science and nature. One major focus of the curriculum is the extensive gardening program, which is co-taught with the garden educator. In a supportive environment, students are asked to explore ideas and questions through inquiry-based, hands-on classes. The individual in this role reports to the Lower School Head and works closely with the lower school STEAM teacher to build an understanding of the intersectionality of these subjects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, develop, and implement an engaging curriculum based on Next Generation Science Standards.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences.
• Design learning targets, scope and sequence, and pacing guides as part of the All-School curriculum mapping process.
• Collaborate with the Science Department, Homeroom teachers, Garden Educator, and K-8 STEAM Director on small and large-scale projects that develop 21st-century skills such as adaptation, collaboration, communication, creativity, and innovation.
• Develop formative and summative assessments to track student progress.
• Work closely with the STEAM teacher, Garden Educator, and Art teacher to plan and implement the annual STEAM week.
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues, and parents regarding student progress and needs.
• Supervise lunch, recess, and dismissal duty regularly.
• Attends meetings, including but not limited to team, department, and divisional, Lower School morning meetings, all-employee meetings, and all-school functions.
• Keep up to date with developments in subject area, teaching resources, and methods.
• Participate in professional development, including in-service training to enhance knowledge of curriculum and pedagogy.
• Create a positive classroom environment of inclusion and respect.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned from time to time by the Upper School Head or Head of School.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Strong emphasis on elementary-level science and teaching scientific principles.
• Experience in designing curriculum using the NGSS standards.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching for at least three years.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate technology in content delivery/skill development.
• Experience with inquiry-based learning pedagogies that use student-centered approaches to learning.
• A commitment to culturally competent teaching.
• Familiarity with giving and receiving feedback for professional growth.
• Growth mindset, flexibility, and openness to collaboration and experimentation.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability and desire to work with children.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and respect different values and viewpoints.
• Is willing to engage across differences with empathy and understanding.
• Knowledge and commitment around diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the classroom climate and curriculum.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in science education, science, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience with STEMscopes and Responsive Classroom.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position that involves sitting at a desk, working on a computer, standing, reaching, and bending for prolonged periods.
• Physical agility to stand, kneel, walk, push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop, reach overhead, and crouch, to respond to emergencies.
• Occasional to frequent physical mobility and manual dexterity sufficient to move about the classroom, ascend/descend stairs, maneuver tight spaces in classrooms, bend at the waist from 50-90 degrees, use office equipment, and keyboarding.
• Ability to exert/lift up to 10 lbs. as frequently as needed to move objects or class materials.
• Must be able to see and hear with acuity continuously.

WORK CONDITIONS :

• The Lower School Science Teacher is a full-time, exempt position.
• The individual in this position is expected to work during all hours as may be assigned by the School and during other hours for events and activities.
• The Lower School Science Teacher is expected to perform their job duties on campus unless otherwise permitted by the Head of School.
• As a condition of employment, all employees hired after August 1, 2021, are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and be able to provide proof of such vaccination.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

A background check (including criminal records and employment history review) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can begin work with RPCS. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status or start of employment.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Occasional travel may be required for field trips and other program-related activities.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and assignments may change at any time, with or without notice.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must apply by completing the employment application and submitting a resume, with a cover letter, to hr@rpcs.org. References may be requested after the application has been submitted.