Middle Grades Teacher

The Exploris School is looking for an innovative teacher to join the middle grades (6-8). Middle grades teachers at Exploris are part of a four person, grade-level team and work together to co-teach students. Typically, two teachers take the lead for mathematics and two teachers take the lead for English-Language Arts. Additional content (including science and social studies) is designed and delivered by the four person team through interdisciplinary project work.

Exploris prides itself on the passion, compassion, talent, and expertise of the people who work here. Parents choose to send their children to Exploris because they know their children will be taught by individuals who go above and beyond for the sake of student learning and who value developing strong relationships with their students.

Teachers work closely with their colleagues, developing curriculum and helping shape the culture of the school in accordance with the school's mission and its implementation of challenging, project-based learning.

In addition to being instructional experts, Exploris teachers must be compassionate, have the ability to develop meaningful connections with students, have strong classroom management skills, and are confident in their ability to create a psychologically safe classroom culture in which individuals are respected and valued for what they bring to the group.

We Seek Candidates with the Following Qualifications:

• Appreciation for the life and mind of the middle school scholar

• Appreciation for a project-based approach to curriculum design - commitment to develop curriculum that is relevant, engaging, and in-depth

• Personal qualities that exemplify the school's emphasis on character development and service to the community

• Teaching experience (ideally in grades 6-8) consistent with Exploris's progressive, constructivist, exploratory and project-based educational philosophy

• Strong subject area background; highly qualified or ready to get highly qualified in North Carolina

• Reader, writer, critical thinker and attentive to current events that lead to opportunities to create learning units that guide students to make sense of the world in meaningful ways

• Skillful at using a variety of assessment methods and data to pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses and skillful at applying instructional practices to address diverse learning needs

• Strong interpersonal skills, commitment to teamwork, and readiness to reflect and grow

• Values a collaborative approach to working with a diverse population of children and adults

• Sense of humor and a high level of energy, enthusiasm, flexibility, and spontaneity

Interdisciplinary Project Work: Exploris teachers value student achievement, engagement, and understanding. We teach through a global education approach that utilizes interdisciplinary projects based on themes. This means that we work to teach skills and concepts named in state/national standards through the context of compelling real-world investigations. Students may learn about ratios by investigating the way gear-ratios work on a bike, about energy concepts by investigating the history of renewable energy sources in North Carolina, or about decomposition and soil nutrient data analysis through the context of organic gardening and compost piles.

As an Exploris teacher, you'll work closely with your grade level team to create rich learning experiences that guide students to develop in depth understanding of concepts articulated in Common Core and NC Essential standards. We emphasize inquiry-based activities, simulations, and differentiated lessons that guide students to develop background knowledge from a variety of experiences.

Crew Leader: At Exploris, the social curriculum is just as important as the academic curriculum. You will be the mentor/advocate for each student in your crew (typically 19 students), engaging them in team building activities, empowering student voice, guiding the development of crew and individual goals, and preparing students for student- led-conferences and exhibitions of learning. You'll also plan and lead service learning through partnerships with local organizations.

Professional Development & Growth: As an Exploris teacher, close collaboration with your grade level team will become a way of life. You'll be expected to learn from and with industry leaders as you collaborate with your team to develop interdisciplinary projects. You'll participate in PD before the school year begins, during the work week (addressing instructional/curricular/assessment goals), and during the summer months. There are regular opportunities for off-site professional development through a variety of organizations.

Specifically, as an Exploris teacher, you will:

• Collaborate with colleagues to create or revise learning experiences

• Employ a variety of teaching methodologies that guide students to engage in critical thinking: use of protocols, simulations, workshops, seminars, and cooperative learning

• Create and implement rigorous, inquiry-based lessons

• Use formative and summative assessments to track student progress; engage students in the assessment and tracking process

• Analyze data on student performance to effectively inform instruction

• Provide differentiated support including accommodations and modifications to ensure all students are able to meet and exceed standards

• Coordinate and participate in day and overnight fieldwork including camping trips

• Integrate work with expert professionals during fieldwork, via video conferencing, or in person

• Participate in ongoing professional development including observations and feedback

• Implement school-wide positive behavioral systems to effectively manage the classroom

• Continually communicate with student families regarding performance and progress

• Serve as an active member of the Exploris Community including actively participating in staff meetings, evening celebrations of student learning, and all curriculum and social events

SCHOOL'S PROFILE

Exploris's mission is to engage students in a rigorous, relevant, relationship-based education. We do this through experiential, project-based learning that empowers students to build a connected, just, and sustainable world. Keeping this mission at the forefront, Exploris fosters a collaborative, real-world approach to curriculum design and implementation. Using national and state standards as a jumping off point, teachers work together to create a compelling lens that drives the acquisition of content and skills.

We believe that, given the right support and a caring and compassionate learning environment, all students can and want to learn. Our standards-based portfolio assessment system makes explicit the criteria by which success can be measured and documents the accomplishment of high academic and character standards.

Teachers at Exploris are expected to participate in a community of shared leadership-teaching and caring for students; developing curriculum; leading students in service, travel, and fieldwork; and engaging in professional development.

COMPENSATION

We offer a salary competitive with nearby districts, a retirement program (401 (k)), and comprehensive health and disability insurance.