Middle School English Teacher and Advisor

University School of Nashville

Middle School English Teacher and Advisor

October 2026

University School of Nashville seeks a creative, collaborative, and experienced educator to teach English and be part of an outstanding academic and advising team in grade five.  The teacher will join a well-established middle school English faculty and report to the Head of Middle School.  This is a temporary, full-time position, expected to run from approximately October 19 through November 24 (around six weeks, from Fall Break through Thanksgiving Break) with some potential contract days for onboarding to be added on the front-end, as needed and applicable.

Fifth grade is a year of powerful transition and growth for children. As such, it is important to provide students with rich opportunities to gain organizational skills, develop self-regulation, understand and appreciate differences among people, and deliberately and intentionally practice active study skills and work habits which are integral to the learning process. Traditional language arts components such as writing, reading, literature, grammar, and vocabulary must be taught in the context of these broader priorities, and strong candidates should come prepared with examples of their experience teaching language arts in this context.

The successful candidate will have at least a bachelor’s degree in English or a related field, a demonstrated ability to work effectively with students of varying abilities, a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning in a team approach, and be interested and effective in collaborating with other adults in an educational setting.

USN has a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces.  Candidates should be knowledgeable of research on how implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity, and socioeconomic class can shape curricula and pedagogy, classroom culture, and student outcomes.  Candidates should be able to translate that knowledge into demonstrable actions that promote equitable and just teaching and learning. 

The School

University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of 1,075 students kindergarten through twelfth grade.  In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School, USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville. 

USN’s midtown location next to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us every day of our 111-year-old roots in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

A deep-rooted culture of achievement at USN means that students expect much of each other, and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their teaching, and we offer many opportunities for professional development.

Since USN is an institution focused on the growth and development of 21st century learners, diversity and inclusion are critical to the fulfillment of our mission. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants. 

Application Process

Interested candidates should upload a cover letter, resume, and complete the online application at www.usn.org/jobs.