The Buckley School is a dynamic, nurturing learning community committed to equity and inclusion, and as such, seeks to hire talented teachers with diverse backgrounds.

Lower School Science Teacher

The Buckley School, Los Angeles’ oldest K-12 all-gender learning institution, has an opening for a Lower School Science Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. Buckley teachers report to the division head and create an educational program and a classroom environment in support of the school’s mission, Portrait of a Graduate, Strategic Plan, and commitment to DEI, based on the belief that student agency and engagement is critical for effective learning. This position co-reports to the Head of Lower School and the K-12 Science Department Chair.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Instruction

●        Plans, organizes, and implements appropriate discipline-specific, interdisciplinary,  and differentiated educational experiences and classroom environment to fulfill the Portrait of a Graduate, the school’s mission, DEI initiatives and Commitments, and also ensures students find agency, purpose, and relevancy in their learning

●        Provides differentiated instruction to meet individual needs by creating meaningful relationships and practicing a growth mindset

●        Responsible for half group and whole group instruction of science to students in third, fourth, and fifth grade

●        Writes trimester prose reports to reflect student growth, progress, and understanding of scientific concepts

●        Conferences with parents/guardians of students

Curriculum

●        Participates in regular review, revision, development, and documentation of curriculum by utilizing recent research in neuroscience, education, psychology and futurism

●        Participates in establishing grade level, departmental and/or school level curriculum goals

Procedural Responsibilities

●        Upholds all expectations, policies and practices outlined in the school’s employee handbook, the collective bargaining agreement and other foundational documents

●        Maintains accurate electronic records for each student

Students/Staff/Community Relations

●        Creates warm and uplifting professional relationships with students, families, and all  constituencies of the school

●        Communicates with students, families, and administrators effectively concerning student  progress

●        Serves as an ambassador for the school at all times, on and off campus, for example: upholding the expectations in the employee and family handbooks; speaking positively about the school and its community members; participating in the school’s efforts to recruit and retain new families, faculty and staff; etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

●        Teach science to students in grades 3-5

●        Oversee the development and implementation of a vibrant, inquiry-based science curriculum for grades K-5

●        Meet regularly with K-2 science teachers to provide support and build curricular alignment across grade levels

●        Attend bridge meetings with Middle School science teachers to grow alignment across divisions

●        Meet regularly with K-12 Science Department Chair to ensure alignment of curriculum and program goals

●        Manages a science classroom that includes animal (small reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals) care, handling, and maintenance

●        General supervision of students, including but not limited to lunch and recess

●        Writes trimester prose reports for each student in the class

●        Participates in Parent/Guardian Conferences

●        Participate in the life of the school by attending assemblies, games, concerts, galas, and other school events

●        Other duties, as assigned

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

●        Possess the minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, graduate degree and/or teaching credential preferred

●        Possess 3-5 years classroom teaching experience, preferably within an independent  school

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

●        Models the highest standards of professionalism and creates warm, uplifting and trusting  learning environments and working relationships marked by humor, positivity, humility, empathy, excellent emotional intelligence, extraordinary interpersonal skills, and collaboration

●        Demonstrates great individual integrity, initiative, self-awareness, commitment to personal and professional growth, and the ability to receive and apply feedback

●        Possesses a passion for education, particularly in an independent school environment, conveyed by a solid understanding of educational practice and philosophy grounded in DEI

●        Knowledge of and demonstrated competency in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

●        Relishes the joys and challenges of working with k-12 students and possesses a deep understanding of the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of children

●        Demonstrates adaptability, dependability, good judgment, strong social skills and the abilities to read, assess, imagine, evaluate, calculate, & make wise decisions

●        Significant experience implementing instructional programs

●        Demonstrates strong communication skills in person, in writing, by phone and through other electronic means (such as Zoom)

KNOWLEDGE:

●        Current knowledge of all subject area content

●        Knowledge of instructional methodologies to support discipline-specific and transdisciplinary learning, and the ability to learn and implement new instructional practices over time

●        Knowledge of and ability to implement useful diagnostic and progress assessment measures

●        Knowledge and effective use of instructional methods and learning materials

●        Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Blackbaud/Education Edge, Zoom, and the ability to learn new and evolving technology

COMPENSATION:

The Buckley School is comprised of faculty who are brand new teachers to experts in their field with over 40 years of experience. The broad range which includes all experience levels is $54,614 - $118,039. As a school with a unionized faculty, compensation is determined as a step scale according to the collective bargaining agreement, negotiated with the union.

The base salary is separate from fringe benefits, such as retirement contributions, daily lunch, on-site parking, contributions to medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D plans, our generous time off policy, or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Our pay ranges are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at The Buckley School, your actual base salary will be determined by your education, experience, and schedule. Our salary scale can be found by visiting: https://www.buckley.org/about/employment

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter to jobs@buckley.org. In a cover letter/email please explain how you have included diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work with students or colleagues.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

The Buckley School proudly carries on the mission of its founder, Dr. Isabelle Buckley, who in 1933 set out to provide students with an education characterized not only by academic excellence, but also a sense of self-esteem, responsibility, and character. An independent, all-gender day school for students in kindergarten through grade 12, providing students with a program based on critical thinking, creative self-expression through arts, physical development, and moral education lies at the heart of Buckley’s ethos.

At The Buckley School, faculty and staff believe in their students, see their capacity for growth, and nurture their ability to create and evaluate. Students are honored for their diverse backgrounds and admired for their ability to lead with empathy and courage. Inspired by its mission, the Portrait of a Graduate, Dr. Buckley’s Four-Fold Plan — education with equal emphasis on Academics, the Arts, Athletics, and Moral Education — and the Buckley Commitment of Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, Kindness, Self-Reliance, and Self-Discipline, faculty uplift students, partner with parents, and build community every day.