Upper School English Teacher

Title: Upper School English-Senior English

The Miami Valley School (MVS).  Our mission is to challenge young people of promise to become self-sustaining learners and compassionate global citizens.  For 60 years, MVS has provided a unique learning option for families in the Dayton, Ohio, community. Here, faculty are educators who are ready to help refine a truly differentiated educational opportunity as MVS becomes a nationally-recognized leader in experience-based learning. Here, every member of the MVS community is committed to transformative immersive learning in the classroom and during our Immersion term. Equally important is our commitment to Social Emotional Learning (SEL), through which our students learn the skills and competencies necessary to navigate an ever-shifting world with confidence and curiosity. Here, we learn because we do.

The Role.  MVS is seeking an innovative and culturally inclusive upper school English teacher who is committed to developing a curriculum that is literature-rich, writing-intensive, research-informed and culturally-inclusive. The faculty member will teach three sections of Topics in Senior English as well as two, single-semester upper school electives OR a yearlong middle school English course, contingent upon enrollment. This includes offering Topics in Senior English Embedded Honors, which allows students to engage in alternate and sometimes additional reading, writing, and discussions that push students to broader, deeper, and more complex examinations of the coursework within their existing Topics in Senior English section. Topics in Senior English also houses the capstone Aries Project, a year-long research project that further develops the advanced research, writing, and presentation skills that students have practiced throughout their career at The Miami Valley School.

The Opportunity.  All members of MVS’ vibrant faculty bring the school’s mission and vision to life each day for students and families in the Dayton community. Each day we live out our mission through our core values: integrity, celebration, grit, and kindness. As a part of our dynamic team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Expand Global Leadership.  MVS is known for its academic and extracurricular programming, and with you on our team, we will continue to grow with our students as leaders of Global Citizenship and stewards of civil discourse. 
• Enhance Cultural Experiences.  Through your instruction and development of an inspiring Immersion Travel Learning Program, you and your students will experience the world, explore passions, and dive deep into content. 
• Develop Character and Wellness. To support the overall wellness of our vibrant community, you’ll have the opportunity to meaningfully connect and collaborate with students and families.
• Innovate.  As we continue to develop our Immersive Learning programming, you will be part of a team that is enhancing professional learning nationwide and becoming a thought leader for immersive learning experiences that stretch beyond the traditional school experience. Here, you will integrate academics, hands-on activities, and scholarly habits via cross-curricular designs and models of learning.
• Couple Academic Rigor with Increased Accessibility.  Through your intentional planning and development of coursework, our students will explore their unique learning needs, utilize critical thinking, and begin to think about and create solutions for today’s pressing challenges.
• Collaborate as Part of a World-Class Team.  In your role teaching at MVS, you will work alongside dedicated faculty who have taught and learned all over the world and in a variety of school contexts. Your colleagues are artists, researchers, entrepreneurs, published authors, professional musicians, armed services veterans, and thespians. Most importantly, they are compassionate and caring educators committed to lifelong learning.
• And of course, you will get to Teach! As an upper school English teacher, you will teach three upper school sections of Topics in Senior English as well as two, single-semester upper school electives OR one section of middle school English, contingent upon enrollment. 

Expectations: 

• Establish a supportive and engaging environment for students;
• Demonstrate a deep belief that teachers have a unique role in empowering students to become passionately inquisitive; 
• Demonstrate a teaching proficiency and comfort with a variety of teaching methods and learning needs; most importantly supporting immersive, experiential learning;
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students at all readiness levels
• Foster the belief in each of our students, that students can and will change the world;
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through engagement in ongoing professional development;
• Build collaborative partnership with students, faculty, and parents;
• Develop and facilitate culturally inclusive curricula and inclusive classroom practices;
• All faculty can expect to travel with students (grades 4-12) for 1-3 weeks per year;
• This is primarily an upper school position, but based upon yearly enrollment you could be asked to teach in the middle school or support Immersion Term in a different division.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Teach 2-3 sections of upper school English and 2 upper school electives OR one section of middle school English, depending on enrollment;
• Lead/Co-lead an Immersion program in January;
• Develop and propose new courses each year, including new Immersion programs;
• Update Blackbaud, MVS’ Student Information System (SIS), and Canvas, MVS’ Learning Management Software (LMS), regularly to keep both students and families informed about student progress and performance
• Fulfill all other faculty responsibilities that may occur outside the school day, including writing reports and planning, chaperoning student events, attending school-related functions, which include but are not limited to: Caregiver Information Night, Immersion Information Night, Immersion Open House, Aries Colloquium, Academic Awards, and Graduation.
• Serve as an advisor for a group of 10-12 students;
• Lead and/or advise extracurricular activities, which include student clubs and athletics;
• Report to the Upper School Division Director;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Possess a desire to work with pre-teen and teenage students in an experiential setting;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and parents;
• Possess excellent communication skills;
• Have a strong understanding of research techniques and methodology and supporting students engaged in the research process;
• Ideal candidates will possess prior experience teaching English in middle and/or upper school settings, advising clubs, coaching athletics, and/or leading student travel learning programs;
• Undergraduate or advanced degree(s) in English, English education, or other humanities degree; 
• Candidates without prior teaching experience will also be considered.

Benefits. This is a full-time opportunity that provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, a matching 403(b) program, and 50% tuition remission for the children of employees.

Take the Next Step. Share this opportunity with your network! Learn more about our school by clicking on the embedded links. Interested and qualified applicants should submit a completed MVS employment application, cover letter, resume, outlining your suitability for the position and interest in the mission of the school to lisa.garvic@mvschool.com. Please do not call the school directly.

Bring Your Whole Self.  MVS is committed to the Dayton community and to our mission and vision.  We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and will not discriminate on any basis.  We seek qualified candidates from a myriad of backgrounds to join our dynamic team.