North Country School is a junior boarding/day school for grades 4-9 located on a 220-acre campus in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park in Lake Placid, New York. North Country School gives children a humanistic education rooted in respect and responsibility for self and others. Central to our academic program is a hands-on, place-based approach founded on the progressive tradition of John Dewey. Math students learn measurement and computer skills by tracking the weights of newborn lambs. Science students study anatomy by reassembling chicken skeletons from birds they harvest. English students write persuasive letters to elected officials about environmental issues they research. Arts students restore rowboats, knit scarves from wool from our own sheep, and create sculptures and murals that decorate our campus.

North Country School is seeking a dynamic and highly collaborative middle school science teacher and houseparent for the fall of 2021. The successful candidate will join a community of dedicated, compassionate, energetic, and experienced faculty who are committed to the mission to “create a community that gives children the self-confidence, knowledge, skills, and values to lead satisfying and productive lives while contributing to their world.” Our goal is to build a joyful, inclusive, and respectful learning community. 

This teacher will be responsible for teaching up to four sections of middle school science courses as well as living in a house and serving as a houseparent. The successful candidate must be able to transfer an enthusiasm for and a deep understanding of science to students using multiple modalities and authentic applications in order to make learning relevant and meaningful for students. Differentiation, such that students are appropriately challenged within their developmental level, and a meaningful approach to homework are expected instructional strategies. Experience with technology integration and implementation of innovative learning strategies is highly desired. A candidate must also demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, creativity, and a high degree of self-direction and flexibility.

Major Responsibilities    

1) Student Relationships

• Creating an inclusive, welcoming, learning-motivated classroom environment where student voice is celebrated.
• Be attuned to the specific learning needs and social and emotional development of each student.
• Serve as a houseparent in a house of 8-12 students; provide instruction in health, wellness, and character education while coaching, mentoring, and counseling.
• Provide academic support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.), as needed.

2) Learning  

• Facilitate age-appropriate exploratory, investigative, and challenging instruction.
• Plan instruction that inspires enthusiasm, confidence, and a deep understanding of science.
• Create learning experiences by incorporating a range of instruction modalities.
• Assess understanding using a variety of formative and summative assessments.
• Utilize assessment feedback to adjust instruction and continuously improve student learning.
• Use technology creatively and effectively in a one-to-one laptop environment.
• Attend and collaborate in the organization of annual overnight educational trips.
• Actively pursue student-centered professional learning opportunities aligned with school goals and initiatives.

3) Community

• Active collaboration with other middle school teachers, educators, and specialist teachers to develop curriculum, plan trips, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and special projects.
• Communicate regularly with parents regarding curriculum, student progress, and course placements.
• Be a positive and contributing member of the school community.
• Supervise students in other roles such as recess, lunch, field trips, etc. 
• Participate actively in department, grade-level team, and faculty meetings as scheduled.
• Pursue relevant opportunities for professional growth and development. 

Requirements and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• a Bachelor’s degree in science or a closely-related field (Master’s degree is preferred)
• a passion for interacting with middle level students in and outside of the classroom
• the desire for a highly collaborative work environment that values innovation and creativity
• a sense of humor and a pitch-in, can-do, “yes…and” attitude
• the ability to use technology to enhance the classroom experience
• the desire to use a range of resources that represent diverse cultures, experiences and viewpoints
• Partake in community work with students and engage with students in outdoor trips like rock climbing, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, overnight hiking and camping, and many other activities that support our co curricular focus on experiential learning. 
• satisfactorily completed a nationwide criminal background check.

Interested candidates should email a resume, cover letter, and references to employment@northcountryschool.org.  Interviews including demonstration lessons  will take place until the position is filled.