Upper School Math Teacher

Summary

The Secondary Math Teacher is a student-centered teaching role within Principia School’s Upper School. The teacher designs and delivers engaging mathematics instruction that emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem solving, and the meaningful application of skills. Using a variety of instructional strategies, the teacher supports diverse learners, fosters critical thinking, and encourages students to take ownership of their learning.

In addition to classroom instruction, the Secondary Math Teacher mentors students as a teacher, character educator, and advisor, contributing to a supportive and inclusive learning environment grounded in Principia’s commitment to character education. This role also includes participation in experiential education initiatives, such as chaperoning school activities, social events, and trips, and active engagement in the broader life of the school community.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach various mathematics courses ranging from Pre-Algebra to typical upper-level classes with an understanding of each course’s place within the overall departmental scope and sequence
• Collaborate as a member of the Math Department to support curricular and instructional goals, including weekly meetings
• Model enthusiasm and love for mathematics and its applications
• Plan lessons that invoke student interest and ownership, connect learning to real-life situations, and meet the needs of future-ready learners to make the content relevant and meaningful
• Integrate technology effectively in a 1:1 laptop environment to enhance and redefine learning
• Incorporate future-ready skills and STEM best practices to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, research, and communication skills
• Display a strong interest in and commitment to working with Upper School students (grades 9–12)
• Differentiate process, product, and content to support a wide range of learners and help each student recognize their unlimited potential
• Pursue ongoing professional development and apply best educational practices while contributing to a professional learning community
• Handle discipline situations effectively in ways that support student character growth

Secondary Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential
• Demonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens
• Recognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instruction
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals
• Supports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communication
• Participates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planning
• Supports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention efforts
• Pursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.
• Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoons
• Fulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assigned
• Lead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activities
• Attends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travel
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and programmatic needs

Core Competencies 

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.
• Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well-being and development.

Minimum Qualifications  

• Student of Christian Science preferred 
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here: https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements ;
• Bachelor's degree in mathematics or a closely related field required, with sufficient coursework to teach high school math through advanced levels (including Statistics)
• Master's degree in mathematics or master’s in education with a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in mathematics preferred
• Ability or experience teaching dual credit math courses preferred
• Teaching certification preferred, and required within two years of hire
• Experience teaching a diverse population of students and in varied school environments preferred

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a bachelor's degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.