Middle School English Teacher 2024-25

Porter-Gaud is an Episcopal, co-educational day school serving more than 1,000 students in grades 1-12. The O'Quinn Schools of Porter-Gaud serve an additional 600 preschool students from age two through kindergarten. Our Middle School encompasses grades 5 through 8. The School is seeking a full-time Middle School English Teacher for the 2024-25 school year, who will be responsible for instructing 6th-8th grade students in non-tracked English courses that cover literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary.

Teaching writing is a main focus of Porter-Gaud's English Department. Faculty members must be excellent writers who have mastered grammar and mechanics and who also, perhaps more importantly, exhibit stylistic sophistication. In teaching writing, teachers construct detailed, specific assignments with accompanying rubrics and thoroughly assess student essays with precise and detailed written and oral feedback.

The mission of Porter-Gaud's English Department centers on the idea that we are not just teaching students to be careful, engaged readers and sound, articulate writers; we are, through teaching deep engagement with the language and details of the world, helping students to be more soulful, sensitive, interested, and interesting thinkers and human beings. We believe words matter. We believe details matter. We believe everything matters.

The Middle School English Teacher will display a continuous commitment to developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills (intercultural competence) to engage in appropriate and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We seek candidates who will contribute to the school's efforts to continue creating a more inclusive and equitable community where all individuals can develop a sense of belonging.

Primary responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Instructing students in reading in accordance with curriculum requirements and objectives through effective coordination of technology, textbooks, and other appropriate instructional materials;
• Employing a variety of instructional techniques and assessments that address multiple learning styles, particularly with a focus on creating a student-centered classroom;
• Modeling for students a love of learning in general and English in particular, a sense of integrity, and a conscientious work ethic;
• Developing students' analytical abilities in both verbal and written expression;
• Displaying enthusiasm for and continued development of content knowledge;
• Establishing and actively maintaining a class environment where excellence is honored and where respectful interactions between and among students are valued;
• Possessing an impressive knowledge of the dynamics of various genres of literature as well as a thorough knowledge of the mechanics of traditional grammar;
• Participating as an active team member within the English Department, the Middle School faculty, and the School community, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of all Porter-Gaud students and to the best interests of the School as a whole;
• Supervising students outside the classroom through various extra- and co-curricular activities;
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a degree in English or Literature strongly preferred;
• Two or more years of experience teaching secondary or postsecondary English preferred (previous experience working with Middle School children is a plus);
• Comfort with and willingness to incorporate the use of technology in the classroom.

Personal Attributes:

• Above all, candidates will demonstrate passion for students, literature, language, and the world around them.
• Candidates will be creative and willing to experiment with different pedagogical approaches, student personalities, and classroom dynamics.
• Candidates will be dynamic classroom personalities, able both to plan and adjust.
• Candidates must be dedicated and willing to go above and beyond in their work with students, treating each student's writing and growth with care, attention, and empathy.
• Candidates will bring a positive outlook and a healthy sense of humor.

Reporting: The Middle School English Teacher reports directly to the Head of the Middle School and takes direction from the English Department Chair.Salary: Commensurate with experience.Porter-Gaud School is committed to increasing the racial, ethnic, and religious diversity of our faculty and staff. The School welcomes applicants who would bring additional dimensions to the School's teaching mission. In accordance with the law, Porter-Gaud School is an equal opportunity employer and hires without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Porter-Gaud School is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. We hold our employees to the highest possible standards. All employees are subject to extensive background check screenings and must sign our code of conduct. We strive to monitor employees while interacting with students. We take any inappropriate interactions between students and employees seriously and are committed to mandatory reporting standards as required by law. We will fully cooperate with authorities in any allegation or case of abuse.