FT Upper School Teacher, Park School, Baltimore MD

THE POSITION The Park School of Baltimore has an opening for a full-time teacher of Physics for the 2015-2016 school year.  Passion about science and open-minded thinking about the purposes of science education are essential qualifications.  In addition, the position requires demonstrated ability to work successfully with adolescents and to collaborate with colleagues. Context The Upper School Science Department uses a curriculum similar to “Physics First.”  The ninth grade course is Physics; the vast majority of tenth graders take Chemistry or Accelerated Chemistry, followed by Biology with Chemistry or Accelerated Biology with Chemistry in the eleventh grade. This scope and sequence provides multiple pathways for students, enhanced opportunities for advanced work, and many elective opportunities in both physical and life sciences. Science at Park School is supported by well-equipped laboratories in the Morton K. Blaustein Science and Math Center. makes use of our 100-acre wooded campus with stream, pond, organic gardens, and bee hives to provide rich, meaningful scientific study of the world around us. includes student research opportunities in collaboration with scientists at Johns Hopkins University and other programs. includes students doing original research on permafrost and pollution research in the Arctic, which has led to student presentations at international scientific conferences. Teaching Assignment We anticipate that the new faculty member will teach several sections of ninth grade physics.  In addition, the teaching assignment could include chemistry and/or upper level electives.  Recent physical science electives have included Acoustics, Modern Physics, and Engineering.  The course load for full-time teachers is four sections.  In addition, all full-time faculty serve as advisors to students and participate in the co-curricular program. Departmental Philosophy The primary goal of the Science Department is to engage and challenge our students with the hope of producing thoughtful citizens who have the ability, confidence, and enthusiasm to inquire about the natural world.  The Science Department supports these goals by promoting a durable understanding of the natural world through the study of chemical, biological, and physical principles. Rather than seeing each of these as separate disciplines, we encourage students to grapple with their interaction and mutual influence.  In our classrooms, we emphasize processes of inquiry and thoughtful analysis over rote recitation.  We help students learn to question what they observe, to look for evidence for and against a particular viewpoint, and to design tests to collect data toward the goal of developing increasingly sophisticated models.  This emphasis on the scientific process encourages an open-minded and rigorous independence of thought that students then bring to bear on the world around them.  The Science Department feels strongly that students should have the opportunity to pursue advanced work in the major disciplines.  We feel that this is best accomplished by a rich elective program with curricula designed to meet the interests and the passions of students. SALARIES AND BENEFITS Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales. In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs: Faculty & Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program:  This program supports summer professional development work by faculty on a distinctive scale.  Established in 1989, FACA is supported by a $5.9 million endowment; currently, over 40% of all Park faculty participate annually. Grants cover full salary and benefits for group or individual projects selected through a formal review process.  Most grants are for four weeks; some are for shorter periods. Tuition Remission:  Under current policy, faculty who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park.  All applicants, including faculty children, must meet Park’s standards for admission.  During the first two years of employment, faculty can apply for support through the need-based financial aid program. Application Process: Send letter of interest, statement of educational philosophy, and resume. Contact Person:  Betsy Leighton, Associate Head of School                                     The Park School of Baltimore                                     2425 Old Court Road                                     Baltimore, MD 21208                                     Telephone: (410) 339-4159                                     Fax: (410) 339-4125                                     bleighton@parkschool.net The Park School of Baltimore is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from qualified candidates of all races, religions, national origins, and sexual orientations.

Qualifications Formal training in science (B.S./B.A. minimum), with a major or substantial course work in physics. Ability to teach chemistry as well as physics is a strong plus. Orientation to a constructivist approach to science teaching, with a focus on inquiry, testing of hypotheses, exploration, and experimentation. Teaching experience (3+ years at high school level preferred).