Upper School English Teacher

DEPARTMENT: UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY

REPORTS TO: HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

STATUS: FULL-TIME, EXEMPT

SALARY RANGE: $83,000.00–96,000.00

Black Pine Circle School is a K–8 independent school in Berkeley, California. For more than 50 years, we have inspired lifelong learners through an inquiry-based Socratic education that places equal emphasis on academics and the arts. Our Lower School (grades K–5) supports approximately 125 students, and our Upper School (grades 6–8) supports approximately 180 students. At Black Pine Circle School our students love learning and want to have the joy of intellectual “play” with their teachers. In a “BPC” classroom, there is an effervescence that is seldom seen from young people during the elementary and middle school journey.

MISSION STATEMENT:

BPC’s mission is to create a learning community that encourages humanity, empathy, moral depth, cultural understanding, and freedom in intellectual pursuits. Socially, it is our goal to instill mutual respect, compassion, and a sense of belonging among all of our students.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

This is a full-time, on-site, core-curricular position. The upper school English teacher will be responsible for planning and delivering lessons, creating engaging and interactive learning experiences, and communicating effectively with students, colleagues, and parents. BPC teachers are expected to provide an inclusive, welcoming classroom environment. Black Pine Circle students thrive in Socratic Seminars. Our students bring ideas, comments, and passion to the forefront of learning, every day. Our team of extraordinary educators work together to craft a curriculum that is joyful, intellectually rigorous, reflective of the world around us and, perhaps most essentially, thought-provoking. 

The upper school English teacher will collaborate with colleagues in the 6–8 program and grade-level teaching team. Responsibilities will include teaching 16 periods of English each week, acting as a student advisor, and creating community through our auxiliary programs. This position will also require supervising students outside of the classroom, chaperoning field trips and grade-level trips, and participating in grade-level, division, and all-school meetings.

SCHOOL-WIDE DUTIES:

• Participate on school committees as needed and appropriate

• Attend all school-wide mandatory events

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Experience in lesson planning and teaching

• Effective communication skills

• Experience in creating a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment

• Passion for fostering a love of literature and language in students

• Bachelor's degree in English, education, or a related field (master's degree preferred)

• Knowledge of current educational practices and curriculum standards

• Experience working with middle school students

• Willingness to dig deep into Socratic teaching

• Student-centered and practiced in differentiated instruction 

COMPENSATION:

The anticipated base compensation the school reasonably expects to pay candidates for the position of upper school English teacher is $83,000.00–96,000.00, depending on factors such as experience and education.

BPC’s board and administration are dedicated to offering competitive salaries and benefits, including medical benefits, retirement plan employer contributions, potential stipends, and professional development opportunities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time. Light to moderate lifting (up to 30 pounds). Reaching, stooping, pulling, pushing, bending, walking, writing, and keyboarding.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates interested in the following positions should submit their resume and cover letter to jobs@blackpinecircle.org, with the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. The cover letter should include an introduction of yourself to the hiring committee, as well as why you are interested in joining the Black Pine Circle community. Resumes without a cover letter will not be reviewed.

Black Pine Circle School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We have an ongoing commitment to the creation of a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicity, sex, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, military and veteran status, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. 

We are committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.