Does experiential education, project-based and hands on learning get you excited about teaching?  Would you love to try your hand at developing a program as well as teaching in it? If so, this might be the job for you!

The Schoolhouse Learning Center in South Burlington, Vermont seeks a dynamic, creative, out-of-the-box-thinker for a part time (.6-.8 FTE) Middle Grades (grades 6, 7, 8) position.  

The Schoolhouse Middle School program combines classroom experiences in the fundamentals (math, language arts, science and social studies) with field-based learning in the broader community and in the natural world (including exploring our acres of wetlands and working with our neighbor, Bread and Butter Farm). The middle grades teacher will work with the middle school program Lead Teacher to develop an engaging, creative and expansive program that connects students with the broader community and encourages them to ask questions, supports them in seeking knowledge (and putting it to use) and inspires them to be confident and competent.

The Schoolhouse is a state of Vermont approved independent school and a licensed childcare center in South Burlington, Vermont located on 27 acres of wetlands with a long history of providing a quality education to a wide range of students and their families. The school’s goal is to lead children to discover the rewards found in the process of active inquiry and respectful, cooperative work with others.

The Schoolhouse has provided educational programming for over 40 years in the Burlington community. The Schoolhouse Middle Grades program — launched in September 2014 with a small group of 6th graders — builds upon what The Schoolhouse has offered and supported since its inception: small, multi-age classes, a focus on critical thinking and academic engagement, promoting independence and leadership, and an explicit commitment to social and emotional learning.  The goal is to build to a 6th-8th grade program by Fall 2016 (adding 7th grade in 2015 and 8th grade in 2016).

Job Duty Summary

The middle grades teacher will team up with the middle school Lead Teacher to devise and implement a middle grades curriculum consistent with the Schoolhouse’s mission and vision for the Middle Grades program. The teacher will work with a multi-age class of diverse learners and will be instrumental in developing a multi-faceted, project-based program.  As a member of the middle school team, the teacher will help develop curricula and assess student progress across all academic areas and integrate core academics with field-based activities. The middle school team will also work with the rest of The Schoolhouse teaching staff to integrate its work with the school’s existing elementary and preschool programs in ways that enhance the broader community and the middle school students’ experience.

This position will be .6-.8 FTE with a schedule that meets the needs of the staff and students.

Essential Job Functions

The ideal candidate will see this as an unusual and exciting opportunity. The candidate will possess the leadership skills and confidence to take on the challenge of creating broad-based learning opportunities responsive to student interests and input.  The teacher will facilitate learning, not merely provide access to information.

The ideal candidate will join with the lead teacher to:

• Invent and implement strong academic curricula and assessments in core subject areas, including math, science, literacy, art, social sciences, and physical education

• Organize, invent and implement field- and community-based activities that get students outside the classroom frequently and consistently to provide meaningful contexts for student learning.

• Identify, communicate with and collaborate with outside community members as relevant to student interests and learning.

• Develop a cohesive class culture and provide students with leadership opportunities in the school and broader community.

• Create curricula that are responsive to the interests and experiences of students while attuned to middle school standards and competencies

• Devise (and revise) course materials from year to year. There is no pre-packaged curriculum to deliver.  The teacher will be inspired by his or her own passions and knowledge, previous teaching experience, and an understanding of student interests and middle school standards.

• Provide loving, strength-based guidance for students’ social, emotional and intellectual growth.

• Be conversant in the national and state standards in core subject areas and creatively align the program with the standards.

• Create varied opportunities for individualized learning, including scaffolding curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners.

• Model excitement about learning, being part of a team and recognizing the variety of strengths individuals bring to the table.

• Support the technological needs, including the 1:1 ipad initiative in the Middle Grades, in a way that complements and enhances student learning.

• Communicate frequently with diverse audiences — teachers, parents, administration and community organizations.

• Be part of the larger Schoolhouse Community and support the institution and its mission.

Basic Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a creative, innovative, generous, outside-the-box-thinker who can seamlessly integrate project- and field-based opportunities with core subject areas.

The candidate will possess a combination of the following qualities:

• Excellent social and leadership skills

• Passion for and knowledge about place- and project-based learning

• Unphased (and even delighted) by the antics and challenges of young adolescents

• Methodical and organized

• Loving the natural world and desiring to instill that reverence in students

• Comfort with ambiguity

• Proven track record of strong student and community relations.

• Effective communicator — orally and in writing

• Fierce advocate for students’ need for play and movement

• Non-dogmatic in adherence to specific teaching pedagogies

• Committed to strengths-based approach to nurturing students’ social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth

• Flexible and able to juggle many balls at once

• Compassionate team player

• Able to acclimate easily to a new environment and school culture.

Education and Training

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field (ex: Education, Environmental Science, Math, English, History, etc) OR an equivalent experience; teaching certification a plus

• Minimum of 3 years teaching experience at the middle grades level; experience in independent schools and/or alternative learning environments a plus

• Technologically competent, including working knowledge of personal computers, google docs and tablet-based apps.

• Understanding of principles, philosophy and practices in child development and education.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be willing to seek training to obtain a Type II bus driving endorsement.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit (on floors and chairs), talk, listen, use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include near and far vision and the ability to monitor multiple children in indoor and outdoor settings. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds (i.e., tables, chairs).

For more information about The Schoolhouse please visit the Schoolhouse website: http://www.theschoolhousevt.org/

Greenfields blends state-of-the-art learning software, real-world projects, Socratic discussions and a Hero’s Journey dialogue in a student-driven, multi-age learning studio. Our approach to learning does not include tests, grades, or teachers leading lectures. Our classroom structure is unique. It ensures that the Guides create and facilitate the learning environment, but empowers students to take ownership of their individual learning path and collective classroom governance.

Greenfields currently has an Elementary program and will be growing in Fall 2015 to include Early Learners (ages 4-6), Elementary (ages 6-10) and Middle School (ages 11-14) programs. We are currently interviewing candidates for all three programs.

Position Description
Each program is led by two Guides working in close partnership to oversee a mixed-age class of 20 to 40 students. Guides help each student find their calling and reach their full potential by:

• supporting individual students in setting and achieving their learning goals
• assisting students in identifying and pursuing their passions
• facilitating Socratic group discussions
• evaluating and refining the existing curriculum
• designing and experimenting with new projects, tools, and approaches
• organizing speakers and field trips to inspire students
• creating and maintaining a studio environment that supports and motivates students
• acting as a role model as an independent learner on a Hero’s Journey
• documenting learning through student projects, achievements, and everyday activity
• communicating actively with parents
• guiding students through the creation of their learning portfolios

Qualifications
We are looking for Guides with a deep curiosity about life, a lifelong love of learning, endless patience, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Candidates should have proven excellence in guiding others, whether in or out of a school environment. Montessori, project-based and/or experiential learning experience is a plus.

We seek Guides who love to experiment, evaluate, and improve on everything they do. Candidates should have proven excellence in written and oral communication skills, and be comfortable using and learning a variety of technology tools. And most importantly, candidates should have a deep respect for all children.

Salary
Greenfields Academy offers a salary commensurate with experience plus a bonus structure based on performance.

Next Steps
Candidates should email a resume and thoughtful cover letter that outlines how their skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, how the position is part of their Hero’s Journey, and how they heard about this opportunity to hiring@greenfieldsacademy.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.