Junior High Teacher (Grades 7 & 8)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Benefits Eligible

Months Worked Per School Year: 10

Work Days/Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm, occasional after-school and weekend work

Start Date: August 2025

JOB SUMMARY

The Paideia School, a Pre K-12 private independent co-educational school located in Atlanta, GA, seeks a full-time, co-lead teacher for a Junior High homebase classroom. The Junior High enrolls 190 students. The program includes six self-contained homebase classrooms as well as specialist teachers. There are two teachers in each of the six classrooms with a mix of approximately 32 students from the 7th and 8th grades. Homebase teachers work together as co-lead teachers and are expected to teach their own classes but create an integrated environment for learners.  Each team comes together to bring their own passions and interests into their class while also following rigorous academic standards. The Junior High homebase curriculum includes creative writing, literature, grammar, and social studies. Students remain in their homebase placement for two years, through 7th and 8th grades, so that each teaching team is able to maximize knowing students and helping them progress.  Each homebase classroom engages in reading programs or community service projects and the like to add to the experiential nature of learning at this age. Those aspects of the classroom are the primary focus of the collaborative nature of these teaching teams.

Paideia’s philosophy is based on the belief that to educate well, schools must be conscious of individual strengths and weaknesses. The Junior High faculty emphasizes the acquisition of basic academic skills and content along with the development of social skills. Teachers frequently employ experiential means to achieve these traditional goals. Most academic work in the Junior High School is carried out through small-group instruction that encourages individual challenge and achievement rather than competition.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Homebase teachers work collaboratively with each other to integrate the curriculum requirements for the age. Both teachers participate in parent conferences, curriculum development, student assessment, professional development, faculty meetings and instruction. Not only must a teacher be proficient in teaching the language arts and/or social studies classes but also in creating a positive, nurturing environment for students.

This position includes co-teaching a mixed 7th and 8th grade class both English and Social Studies. Students remain in home base classes for a two-year period.  Other requirements include; weekly faculty meetings, carpool and lunch duty, chaperoning social events, and participating as a full member of the school community. Faculty members create courses for a 2 week long short term at the end of the school year. Some faculty members choose to sponsor an activity or coach one of the many school sports teams.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

We are looking for a dynamic educator to join our student-centered learning community. The position requires flexibility and confidence to design and teach humanities courses in our inclusive community. Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion are explored in every aspect of this school community and faculty members must be willing to lead in this area, including leading student racial affinity group discussions once a month.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ideally, applicants would have a humanities degree (English or History). At least 3-5 years of teaching experience is required. A concentration in non-western disciplines is appreciated. While Masters level is preferred, it is not required. 

APPLICATION NOTES

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references via our online application.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. A benefits package is offered for benefits-eligible positions. The Paideia School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, our focus on both social and emotional learning with rigorous academic offerings and opportunities for extra curricular learning, please visit our website at www.paideiaschool.org.