English Teacher – The Mount Academy

Job Description

Unique Benefits of Working at Mount Academy:

• Culture: We believe that student culture is primarily a reflection of the culture of the adults on campus. Therefore, we take seriously the responsibility to serve as witnesses of the Christian gospel, modeling faith, hope, and charity in all that we do as faculty and colleagues. John 13:35 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 are our standards for every interaction we have, whether public or private. We believe that health and vitality in our collegial work will lead to health and vitality among our students.
• Curriculum: We are committed to a serious liberal arts curriculum that is rooted in the western tradition and focuses on proficiency in math, science, literature and history fundamentals. An ideal Mount Academy student is serious about academics and willing to engage in extracurricular activities, which include a competitive athletics program, music and the arts, vocational training, and a focus on service and environmental stewardship.
• Benefits: We offer a benefits package, which includes health insurance and a 401K retirement plan.

The Position

The English teacher will be responsible for developing a productive atmosphere conducive to learning, collaborating effectively with colleagues, and teaching secondary level English classes, including those at advanced levels, to grades 9 through 12. In addition, the ideal candidate should embrace the roles of both teacher and athletic coach––or an equivalent, beyond-the-classroom role (i.e., lead extracurricular drama or music)––and will desire to support the development of the overall school culture by cultivating strong engagements with students through these avenues. As regards the pedagogical component, we are looking for a teacher who can deliver a literature-based writing course, in which whole texts are read, studied, and discussed with the goal of developing students’ reading, speaking, planning, and composing skills as well as deepening their understanding of humanity through various genres of literature. The curriculum focuses mainly on the study of classic texts, both imaginative and philosophical, from the canon of western literature. Advanced literature classes are taught in the Socratic seminar style, which may also be used as appropriate in other classes. Students’ acquisition and application of technical skills and conventions of grammar, spelling and vocabulary are as important as literary analysis. The English teacher should model in his or her scholarship, lectures, and mentorship of students a commitment to rigorous thought with truth-seeking at the center, and to moral and interpersonal excellence.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in English or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Expertise teaching writing competency through regular composition assignments emphasizing planning, correct grammar, vocabulary, and spelling, and including multiple revisions motivated by diligent and constructive written feedback.
• Ability to inspire students to an appreciation and deepened understanding of good writing through literature analysis.
• Deep commitment to support the religious mission and ministry of Mount Academy and demonstrate behavior consistent with Foundations of our Faith and Calling: The Bruderhof.
• Proficiency in sound professional teaching methodologies and classroom management techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including proficiency in communicating, both written and verbally, with faculty, staff, students, and parents.
• Competence as a positive role model for empathy, fairness, justice, integrity, and commitment.
• Enthusiasm for teaching and working with young people.

Strongly Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in English or related field.
• Experience teaching English in a secondary school.
• Background in the study and teaching of classic literature texts.
• Experience leading seminar-style literature classes.
• Familiarity with Modern Language Association (MLA) Style guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Teach and model Christian values consistent with those articulated in Foundations of our Faith and Calling: The Bruderhof, including its teachings regarding faith, family, sexuality, holistic education and service to others.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with faculty to build a positive, collaborative culture in the department.
• Uphold standards of dress, disposition, and care for students and families per the vision, mission, and values of Mount Academy.
• Attend and assist with after school activities and clubs and support the school community.
• Attend departmental and full-staff meetings. Perform integrated and trans-curriculum lesson planning in collaboration with the teaching team, including regular meetings and reporting, ongoing curriculum evaluation and design, and continuing efforts to improve teaching strategies.
• Contribute to the growth of the school as a community of learners by participating in ongoing staff development and pursuing continued professional and personal growth.
• Provide frequent and effective feedback to parents concerning students’ attainment of learning goals throughout the school year.
• Substitute for other teachers as needed and undertake a variety of non-teaching duties, including lunchroom, hall, and study hall monitoring or library supervision duties.
• Teach up to five classes per day.
• Plan and implement instructional programs and activities that further the school’s religious and educational mission, including creating routines, practices and celebrations that support a sense of class, school, and community.
• Plan long-term and short-term objectives of instruction. Plan and present lessons to promote and supplement skills, concepts, and strategies introduced in the classroom.
• Encourage students to strive for high achievement.
• Help students develop positive self-concepts.
• Maintain discipline in the classroom and promote a safe learning environment by using appropriate behavior management and decision-making skills.

Base Annual Salary: $60,000

Relocation assistance available.