Upper School 7-8 Grade English Language Arts Teacher

St. Michael’s School, a Transitional Kindergarten – Eighth Grade independent school in Tucson, AZ, is seeking a full-time 7th-8th Grade English Language Arts teacher to join our Upper School faculty for the 2025-26 school year. Upper School teaching faculty at St. Michael’s help to further develop the academic, social, and spiritual foundations of students. A challenging and enriching experience during the St. Michael’s fifth- through eighth-grade years prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities that await them in high school, college, and beyond. The Upper School at St. Michael’s includes grades five through eight and annually enrolls 120 – 140 students. Class sizes range from 15 – 19.

Qualifications
Qualified candidates for this position should possess a Bachelor’s degree (advanced study, and/or a Master’s degree), with at least three years of classroom teaching experience, preferably at the middle-school level. A current teaching credential/certification is required; transferrable, out-of-state certifications apply.

Overview of Upper School 7th-8th Grade English Language Arts Teaching Position

Upper School teaching faculty at St. Michael’s help further develop students' academic, social, and spiritual foundations. A challenging and enriching experience during St. Michael’s fifth- through eighth-grade years prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities that await them in high school, college, and beyond.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish Strong Relationships with Students; 5-8 teaching faculty will demonstrate:
• Care, understanding, and knowledge of students as individuals, both academically and personally
• An atmosphere of trust, fairness, consistency, and respect
• Appreciation of each student's strengths and areas of challenge
• Consistent, positive, effective expectations for student behavior and the ability to address students who are not behaving appropriately to ensure a safe learning environment
• Exercise Strong Pedagogical Knowledge; 5-8 teaching faculty will demonstrate:
• Use of a variety of strategies, resources, and perspectives to meet the needs of all learners
• Ability to utilize materials and strategies that are developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate for each student, regardless of assigned grade level
• Ongoing engagement in self-reflection, professional development, and evaluation of content and pedagogy, and an ability to make changes when necessary to ensure student achievement
• Use of student data and assessments to inform instructional planning consistent with curricular goals
• Ability to use both formative and summative assessment practices that lead to clear, timely, and accurate feedback to students and parents
• Possess a Growth Mindset; 5-8 teaching faculty will demonstrate:
• Active engagement with other professional educators, including SMS peers at all grade levels, about teaching and learning
• Acknowledgment of and positive response to constructive feedback and observations, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions based on input received
• Implementation of innovative practices based on current research and a willingness to share new ideas with colleagues
• Engagement in quantifiable professional development hours and collegial/classroom visits every year, based on identified curricular or instructional goals
• Build Depth with Content Expertise; 5-8 teaching faculty will demonstrate:
• Deep understanding of the progression of the subject content and the flexibility to move in either direction, to remediate or extend student learning
• Use of a variety of subject-appropriate assessment practices to create opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding
• Planning and practices that reflect and intentionally incorporate the current research-based understanding of instructional approaches for the content
• Active collaboration on cross-curricular, intra- and inter-divisional opportunities
• Fit within St. Michael’s School Mission and Culture; 5-8 teaching faculty will demonstrate:
• Support and modeling of SMS values, as stated in the Employee Expectations and Responsibilities section of the Faculty Handbook
• Active and visible participation in the school community
• Genuine support of the mission and vision of the school in his or her day-to-day actions
• Initiative to work through conflicts and challenges in school life in a collaborative and professional manner
• Professional interactions with all colleagues, students, parents, and administrators

Desired Expertise and Experience

· Prior work in a private/independent school setting, with strong pedagogical knowledge for learners in grades 5-8. Candidates should have an enthusiasm for and experience with teaching adolescent students

· Competence and familiarity with teaching middle-school science with demonstrated ability, interest, and experience in integrating technology into curriculum

· Strong organization, planning and classroom-management skills. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

· Knowledge and use of student data from assessments to inform instructional planning consistent with curricular goals

· Demonstrated leadership and facilitative skills, including the ability to relate effectively with students, parents, and school colleagues

· Display and value collegiality with other teachers and administrators; collaborate with the other members of the Upper School faculty and across all school divisions in a professional manner

Reporting and Evaluation
All 5-8 faculty report directly to the Upper School (5-8) Division Director and are evaluated annually on a timeline determined by the Division Head in collaboration with the Head of School.

Compensation and Benefits
Salary is highly competitive with area schools, commensurate with years of experience and educational background. This is a full-time, academic-year position with benefits that include paid vacation, personal and sick-leave days; plus comprehensive health coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield; dental coverage; and a matching-contribution program for retirement.

About St. Michael’s School
St. Michael’s School in Tucson, Arizona, is an Episcopal parish-affiliated, TK-8, co-educational day school enrolling approximately 320 students. Our historic campus offers a unique setting in which students and faculty alike demonstrate a sense of energy, imagination, and collaboration. The St. Michael’s School community reflects the values of the Episcopal Church and as such embraces cultural, racial, socioeconomic, and religious diversity. To learn more about St. Michael’s, please visit our website: www.stmichael.net

St. Michael’s School is accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, age, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Process and Materials Please submit a cover letter and resume to employment@stmichael.net, or send the same via US Mail to the attention of Human Resources and Employment, St. Michael’s School, 602 North Wilmot Street, Tucson, AZ 85711. Consideration of all candidates will continue until an offer is made and accepted. Anticipated start date, July 1, 2025.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000