Sophomore Seminar Teacher

About Pingry

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Pingry School seeks an adaptable and intellectually curious educator to serve as a Sophomore Seminar Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. This role involves teaching four sections each semester of our new, interdisciplinary "Sophomore Seminar," a course designed to equip students with the practical life skills and ethical frameworks needed for the modern world.

We are seeking a collaborative educator who is excited to join an inaugural teaching team. While the curriculum is developed, you will play a vital role in bringing these diverse topics to life through engaging, student-centered instruction.

You are a teacher who:

Embraces Teamwork: You thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with other Seminar faculty to ensure a consistent and high-quality experience for all sophomores.

Master of Variety: You are energized by a "multi-tool" curriculum, moving comfortably between lessons on:

• Personal Finance
• Digital Literacy
• Ethical Philosophy

Practical Facilitator: You prioritize real-world application, helping students navigate "adulting" skills like budgeting and evaluating AI-generated content.

Relational Mentor: You enjoy coaching students through the research process, helping them synthesize complex ideas into a meaningful final Capstone project.

Responsibilities

• Instruction: Teach four sections of the Sophomore Seminar each semester, following the established pacing guide and learning objectives.
• Financial Literacy: Lead units on foundational budgeting, debt management (credit scores, loans), understanding taxes, and long-term investing strategies like compound interest.
• Ethics & Digital Citizenship: Facilitate discussions on ethical frameworks such as Utilitarianism and Deontology, applying them to real-world dilemmas in finance and technology.
• AI & Information Literacy: Guide students in evaluating digital sources for bias and critically engaging with Generative AI through prompt engineering and hallucination recognition.
• Data & Computational Thinking: Introduce core technology concepts, including internet architecture, cybersecurity (MFA, VPNs), and algorithmic logic.
• Research & Capstone Mentorship: Instruct students on interdisciplinary research methods and mentor them through a semester-long project that solves a real-world problem.
• Advising: Serve as an advisor to a group of students, supporting their academic, social, and emotional development.
• Community Contribution: Fulfill an additional “plus one” requirement (e.g., coaching, club leadership, or community service).
• Spring Intensive: Collaborate cross-departmentally on the development and execution of a dedicated Spring Intensive course.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Education, Finance, Philosophy, Technology, or Interdisciplinary Studies) is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Intellectual Versatility: The ability to pivot between teaching personal finance, ethical theory, and modern digital literacy with enthusiasm and clarity.
• Inclusive Excellence: A deep-seated commitment to cultivating a culture of belonging where every student feels seen and valued. This includes the ability to design an inclusive classroom that ensures all students feel confident navigating practical life skills.
• Community Mindset: The interpersonal skills necessary to build a supportive community and work collaboratively with the Seminar teaching team and the broader faculty.
• Tech Literacy: Proficiency in Google Suite and an interest in the ethical use of Generative AI in an academic setting.
• Adaptability: The ability to work within a new program and provide constructive feedback as the inaugural team refines the course.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$110,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education.

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.