Date Posted:  November 2023

Start Date: January 8, 2024, through February 26, 2024 (7 weeks)

Department: Lower School

Reports to: Lower School Director

Job Summary: 

BB&N is seeking a full-time Grade 6 Social Studies teacher. Responsibilities include teaching Social Studies, involvement in planning and executing programming, and managing homeroom duties. The Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum revolves around human rights. A Young People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn, is one of many resources used to support the curriculum. The Grade 6 Social Studies teacher is responsible for designing and executing meaningful interdisciplinary projects. The Grade 6 Social Studies teacher works closely with the Language Arts teacher in developing interdisciplinary learning experiences. As a part of these experiences, some key skills that link these two subjects are: identifying credible sources, close reading, guiding students through the writing process, practicing academic integrity, developing an opinion, listening to others, growing analytical thinking, and engaging in discussion-heavy, text-driven seminars. 

Some additional responsibilities include but are not limited to, partnerships with specialists, report writing and family conferencing, collaboration between colleagues and families, leading/co-leading Affinity Lunch, attendance at weekly faculty meetings, ordering of materials, tools, instructional aids, budget management, admissions work, Back to School Night presentation, and any other duties that may be assigned by the Administration.

In addition, the Lower School Social Studies teacher is expected to be committed to the following practices:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the curriculum and the community.  
• Social-emotional learning.
• Using the visual arts to expand on the thoughts and ideas of the students.
• Collaboration between adults in our community evolves and advances practice.
• Documentation and assessment of learning in ways that make the learning visible.
• Understanding of inquiry-based-interdisciplinary research projects and the development of authentic and meaningful experiences that result in exemplary work (a student’s best work) and lifelong learning.
• Organization and use of materials within different disciplines in skilled and inventive ways to deepen learning.
• Installation of organized and aesthetically pleasing learning environments.

Skills and Competencies:

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the elementary and/or middle school level, and an understanding of cognitive and social development for children at this age. Candidates should be well-versed in interdisciplinary curriculum, project work, and anti-bias curriculum. A Bachelor’s degree is required and a Master’s degree is preferred.  

In addition, the candidate should demonstrate:

• Joy working with elementary-aged students, and an understanding of child development for this age group
• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community
• Knowledge and commitment around diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and the impact it has on the classroom climate and curriculum
• A desire to continue seeking professional development
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues inside and outside of the curriculum
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and families
• Curriculum design experience
• Ability to receive feedback

Essential Functions and Key Objectives: 

• Plans and develops an engaging, age-appropriate course of study in the classroom, adhering to educational best practices and state and school district curriculum guidelines.
• Designs and delivers individual lesson plans in one or more academic, technical, or vocational subjects using a variety of teaching techniques and appealing to various learning styles.
• Prepares materials for lessons, assignments, and tests; evaluates, corrects, and grades student performance.
• Discusses academic difficulties or behavioral problems with students as they arise.
• Monitors students' progress throughout the year and evaluates preparedness for graduation, vocational school, or college, as appropriate.
• Communicates progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents and, as appropriate, other faculty, staff, and/or Director.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents.
• Enforces safety and security standards for students, staff, and visitors.
• Maintains required paperwork for individual student files, attendance and incident reports, and other necessary records.
• Monitors halls, study periods, and lunchrooms with other faculty and staff.
• Participates in faculty meetings, educational conferences, in-service opportunities, workshops, and other training seminars.
• Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices in secondary education.
• Performs related tasks such as sponsoring student activities or organizations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises the behavior of students in the classroom, on school grounds, and educational trips.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
• Must be able to traverse school facilities and lead students to safety in the event of an emergency.

Salary: $67,000.00 - $97,400.00 Prorated for a daily rate

BB&N offers competitive salaries and benefits and employs equitable and consistent compensation practices. Our compensation strategy prioritizes equity of pay for faculty with similar years of teaching and other related experience. Starting salaries for the 2023-2024 school year typically range from a starting salary of $67,000 to the median 20 year teaching experience salary of $97,400.  Both of these salaries are exclusive of additional compensation granted to faculty with relevant advanced degrees.  The starting salary for any hired candidate is based on experience within salary bands. 

To Apply:  

Please visit the Careers at BB&N page to complete your online application. Please upload your Cover Letter, Resume, Personal Statement, and/or Teaching Philosophy and Reference List. 

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any non-job related physical or mental disability. We welcome candidates who will increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply.

Buckingham Browne & Nichols Schools takes the health and safety of its community members very seriously. Because we serve students, many of whom are not eligible for vaccination due to their age, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus with the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine before commencing employment. Documentation showing vaccination status will be required as part of the application process.

About Buckingham Browne & Nichols:

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Buckingham Browne & Nichols is a day school that engages students in grades Pre-K through 12 in a rich and invigorating educational experience of the highest quality. The school excels at helping students discover their unique talents and passions and develop those strengths to the fullest. The curriculum is challenging, forward-thinking, innovative, and flexible, designed to help qualified students, from a range of backgrounds and with a wide spectrum of talents and interests, reach new levels of accomplishment. Co-curricular opportunities in athletics, the arts, community service, and other areas add important dimensions to students’ learning. Students learn on three age and developmentally-appropriate campuses. At every grade, BB&N takes full advantage of the range of opportunities its locations afford.

BB&N is committed to becoming an anti-racist institution. This commitment is integral to the mission and vision of the School. BB&N is an academically excellent, diverse, and inclusive community where students develop into lifelong learners who lead with kindness, curiosity, and integrity. We prepare students to be responsible and open-minded as they engage with the world around them. Our school is guided by the core values of: 

• Inquiry, in which we promote curiosity and critical thinking to inspire a lifelong love of learning. Integrity, in which we strive to be honest, conscientious, and accountable in our actions even when no one is watching.
• Belonging, in which we foster a culture of respect, well-being, and connection that values all individuals and empowers them to discover and be their authentic selves, and
• Kindness, in which we strengthen our communities by recognizing our common humanity and treating ourselves and others with respect and compassion.

The vibrancy and vitality we feel in the classrooms, hallways, stages, and playing fields of BB&N derive from the people who are here. At its root are the varied interests and experiences, the different backgrounds, cultures, religions, views, and perspectives that our students and faculty bring to their classes and families bring to myriad activities. Each of us adds to the richness of another’s experience. Working and playing together teaches us lifelong lessons about appreciating, knowing and understanding, and learning from each other.