The Philadelphia School (TPS) is seeking a full-time 7th grade Language Arts Teacher and Advisor for the 2024-2025 academic year. We are a Preschool – 8 progressive, independent school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with an enrollment of 410 students. Since our founding in 1972, The Philadelphia School has grown in size, complexity, and diversity. This growth has been rooted firmly in the progressive values with which our founders began: immersive learning, responsive pedagogy, and meaningful engagement with the world. The Philadelphia School seeks educators with a deep interest in progressive pedagogy, social justice, place-based learning, and who demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Position Summary:

The thematic curriculum in the Middle School focuses on the complexities of citizenship in a global community by looking at intercultural awareness. We are seeking a collaborative educator with a deep interest in progressive education and a constructivist approach to teaching and learning. Responsibilities include 7th grade Language Arts instruction, designing and implementing cultural studies curriculum, advising students, and collaborating across disciplines and grade levels for middle school wide initiatives such as outdoor learning, intensives classes, and mini courses.

We seek to hire experienced educators who have excellent classroom management and communication skills, as well as a flexible approach to teaming. We expect all of our teachers to build respectful and supportive relationships with their students, develop strong home-school partnerships with parents, to participate in school wide initiatives, and to work closely with their supervisor to develop their craft. We are looking for teachers with strong interpersonal and communication skills grounded in the practices of progressive education. A demonstrated commitment to engaging in active work supporting diversity and social justice is essential, and experiences in environmental and outdoor education are all a plus. All of our teachers bring a rich range of interests and expertise to their work.

Responsibilities:

Collaborate with other classroom teachers, the learning resource team, and other specialists to meet the needs of diverse learners and to develop an engaging thematic curriculum
Build respectful and supportive relationships with students
Deliver progressive and intentional instruction
Develop strong home-school partnerships and communicate with families clearly, frequently, and with cultural competence
Participate in school wide initiatives
Engage in ongoing professional development and growth

Qualifications

B.A. required; Master’s Degree in a related field of study preferred
2+ years of Middle School Language Arts teaching experience
An orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods
Solid understanding of child development, including the social, emotional, and intellectual domains
An ability and commitment to create a warm, nurturing, and supportive classroom for young children
Strong writing, editing and communication skills at both the student and parent levels
Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice as integral to the curriculum and community experience

Application Process:

Qualified candidates should visit our website and apply under Employment Opportunities. For full consideration please provide a cover letter tailored specifically to your interest in and alignment with our school program, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Salary commensurate with experience.

The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Philadelphia School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Philadelphia School complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The Philadelphia School expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of The Philadelphia School employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including employment termination.

We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws to ensure fair treatment of all applicants and employees. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact our HR department at humanresourcesoffice@tpschool.org.