English Teacher, Grade 6 with an Interdisciplinary Studies focus

University School of Nashville seeks a creative, collaborative, and experienced educator to teach English with an interdisciplinary, project-based focus and be part of an outstanding academic and advising team in sixth grade.  

The Middle School English curriculum is literature-based, with a strong focus on writing. Essential skills and related content areas, such as vocabulary and grammar, are taught largely in the context of what students are reading and writing. Traditional English-related areas such as writing, reading, literature, grammar, and vocabulary must be taught in the context of these broader priorities. 

This role involves designing and delivering an English curriculum aligned to the priorities outlined above with rich cross-curricula/interdisciplinary opportunities. This interdisciplinary English-based course will cultivate student inquiry, dialogue, problem-solving, critical thinking, self-awareness, a deeper understanding and appreciation of differences across all people, and an increased knowledge of the learning process.

The successful candidate will have at least a bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field, a demonstrated ability to work effectively with students of varying learning styles and abilities, a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning and educational technology in a team approach, and interest in and effectiveness in collaborating with other adults in an educational setting. Experience in multiple middle school subjects is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities:

Curriculum and Instruction:

• Design and implement interdisciplinary units of study that integrate English-language arts, math, science, social studies, and technology. 

• Design and implement rich student-centered lesson plans that align with USN’s rigorous academic expectations. 

• Foster a positive and inclusive classroom environment conducive to learning and encourage student participation and collaboration.

• Teach students how to effectively use technology for research, collaboration, and presentation purposes. 

• Incorporate various educational technologies and digital tools into daily instruction to enhance learning experiences.

• Focus on developing essential academic skills such as organization, executive functioning, note-taking, and study strategies.

• Differentiate instruction and utilize various teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs and abilities in the classroom.

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators regarding student progress and academic performance.

• Collaborate with other teachers and colleagues to create interdisciplinary projects and activities.

• Stay current on educational trends and best practices in interdisciplinary studies to continuously improve teaching methods.

Advisory:

• Serve as an advisor to 16 students. 

• Maintain open and regular communication with families to inform them about their child's academic and social-emotional development.

• Collaborate with parents to address any concerns or challenges that may arise and work together to support student success.

• Advocate for students' needs and connect them with appropriate school resources. 

• Assess student progress and provide constructive feedback to support academic growth.

• Encourage self-reflection and goal-setting among students to foster a growth mindset. 

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Proven experience teaching multiple subjects or interdisciplinary studies at the middle school level and/or experience with STEAM/project-based learning.

• Strong knowledge of multiple subjects such as English, math, science, technology, and social studies. 

• Strong classroom management skills and ability to create a positive learning environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to innovate and enhance student learning outcomes.

• Passion for interdisciplinary education and creative teaching approaches.

• Passion for educating middle school students and fostering their academic growth in innovative ways. 

• Experience teaching interdisciplinary units and integrating technology into instruction.

• Strong knowledge of 6th-grade academic content areas and pedagogical approaches.

• Strong knowledge of 6th-grade social and emotional areas and an ability to weave these topics into the academic setting. 

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.

• Commitment to creating a positive, inclusive learning environment that fosters academic achievement and personal growth.