High School Publications Teacher

About Notre Dame De Sion High School

Notre Dame de Sion is an independent Catholic and interfaith high school in Kansas City, serving approximately 320 students. Sion empowers young women to discover their purpose, grow in confidence, and use their gifts to shape a more just and compassionate world. Inspired by the legacy of the Sisters of Sion, our school community is grounded in the values of love, respect, openness, connection, and hope.

Sion blends a strong college preparatory curriculum with innovative, experiential learning that engages students in real-world problem solving and meaningful community partnerships. With intentionally small class sizes and a deep commitment to relationship-based teaching, faculty are able to know each student and support their growth—intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

Educators at Sion are part of a dynamic, mission-driven team. They collaborate across disciplines, contribute to a vibrant extracurricular program, and help shape a culture where belonging, curiosity, and reflection are central to student success. Sion is a place where faculty feel the impact of their work and the joy of guiding young women as they become faith-filled global citizens and servant leaders.

About The Position

The High School Journalism and Publications Teacher oversees four courses, each dedicated to equipping students with the storytelling, design, and leadership skills needed to produce award-winning publications. The course load includes:

• Introduction to Journalism and Storytelling (co-taught with an English instructor)
• Graphic Design (focused on layout, typography, and digital design using Adobe tools)
• Le Journal (student-led news magazine staff)
• Le Flambeau (yearbook production team)
  
  
  

This teacher will guide students in journalistic writing, visual communication, ethical reporting, and collaborative production. They serve as the faculty advisor for both Le Journal and Le Flambeau, helping students meet deadlines, refine their creative vision, and uphold high standards for editorial excellence. Both publications have earned national recognition, including Pacemaker nominations and awards from the National Scholastic Press Association.

This position offers opportunities to explore new directions for digital media and web-based publication. In addition to the structured school schedule, the teacher supports occasional Saturday work sessions (with schedule flexibility to accommodate these).

Sion educators thrive in a supportive environment that values innovation, reflection, and relationships. Teachers are encouraged to design engaging, student-centered learning opportunities and to contribute to a dynamic academic culture that empowers young women to lead with purpose and confidence.

Sion educators are:

• Confident Practitioners: they know their subject and the instructional techniques to help students meet educational goals.
• Growth-Minded Learners: they understand that knowledge is not finite - students and teachers can grow, learn new things, and accomplish tasks they never knew were possible.
• Mindful Communicators: they communicate in a way that is solution-focused, timely, and positive. This includes verbal, written, and non-verbal communication.
• Collaborative Team Players: they pitch in and help with events outside their classroom to make Sion a place that is rich in community and models servant leadership.
• Inclusive Community Builders: they use language and actions that are never destructive of egos. They ensure that students and other faculty members feel a sense of belonging at Sion.
  
  
  

QUALIFYING CHARACTERISTICS

• Commitment to the mission and values of Notre Dame de Sion, including its Catholic and interfaith identity.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Journalism, Graphic Design, Communication, English, or a related field.
• Experience working with high school students and leading student-led teams or clubs.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)
• Experience with Walsworth yearbook tools strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of publication cycles, digital storytelling, visual literacy, and editorial standards.
• Ability to motivate student writers and designers, provide constructive feedback, and foster a creative newsroom environment.
• Excellent time management, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Receptive to feedback and committed to ongoing professional growth.
• Familiarity with digital tools and platforms used in scholastic journalism is a plus.
• Must hold or be willing to maintain credentials aligned with ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States) or other accrediting bodies.
  
  
  

Essential Job Duties

• Design and deliver rigorous, engaging instruction in journalism, graphic design, and publications.
• Guide student staff in producing Le Journal and Le Flambeau publications on schedule and to high editorial standards.
• Support students in building skills in interviewing, writing, editing, photography, layout, and digital publishing.
• Promote student leadership and editorial independence while ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and mission-aligned publication process.
• Provide structure, feedback, and accountability for student teams working on long-term publication projects.
• Coordinate with vendors such as Walsworth and manage the yearbook production process
• Supervise occasional Saturday workdays as needed for publication deadlines.
• Travel to annual journalism workshops and conventions (ie. Dallas, KU)
• Maintain accurate records of student work, participation, and assessment data.
• Develop and implement daily lesson plans that reflect best practices in experiential learning, inquiry-based instruction, and student-centered pedagogy.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to create interdisciplinary learning opportunities and ensure curricular alignment with school-wide outcomes.
• Integrate the Sion Success Outcomes into course planning and classroom instruction, fostering the development of academic and interpersonal skills.
• Create and lead a one-week, place-based experiential learning course as part of Sion’s signature Deep Dive program.
• Work in partnership with the Academic Directors and Principal to support the ongoing development and refinement of the publications curriculum.
• Fulfill standard faculty duties such as supervising study hall, providing classroom coverage, and attending school events (e.g., dances, athletics) as well as duty points based on band placement.
• Maintain accurate student records, including attendance, grades, and assessment data, in a timely and professional manner.
• Participate in required meetings, including faculty meetings, parent conferences, professional development sessions, and other administrative gatherings.
• Engage in continuous professional growth through conferences, workshops, and other learning opportunities to stay current in the field.
• Collaborate with school counselors and learning support staff to ensure that students with accommodations and social-emotional needs are supported effectively in the classroom and during extracurricular activities.
• Support school initiatives and complete additional responsibilities as assigned by the High School Principal.
  
  
  

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Works in a classroom, lab, and digital production setting with a variety of deadlines and student interactions.
• Occasionally bend, stoop, and squat.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
• Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled environment.
• Occasionally work outside standard school hours, including Saturday publication session and yearbook completion in May/June.
  
  
  

Commitment to Non-Discrimination & Diversity

Notre Dame de Sion is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Candidates who have experience working with a wide range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experience in these areas.