Upper School English Teacher
Poly Prep seeks applicants for the position of Upper School English Teacher for the 2025-26 academic year. The ideal candidate for this role is an enthusiastic and committed teacher with knowledge and practice in several literary areas, creative and analytical approaches to assessment, and student-centered, interdisciplinary pedagogy. We seek an individual who is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and empowering all our students by fostering extensive cultural competencies, life-long love of learning, and the commitment to improving their communities. Our Upper School curriculum builds students’ attentive reading and critical writing skills by offering them a wide array of texts that promote the perspectives necessary for empathy and personal growth in addition to fostering skills and abilities that allow individuals to understand, analyze, and engage with literature effectively. Beginning with world and American literature in ninth and tenth grade, respectively, and a robust variety of electives in eleventh and twelfth, teaching teams work collaboratively to revise the curriculum annually in line with our commitment to student and professional growth. Qualified applicants will have experience teaching at the high school level, differentiating instruction for a wide range of learners in our diverse school community, and incorporating technology appropriately in the classroom. They will exhibit a passion for literature and teaching English, dedication to ongoing professional growth, high levels of professionalism, and personal integrity and collegiality that will enrich a high-achieving, collaborative department.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Teaching:
- Teach four sections of Upper School English including planning and preparation, classroom instruction, and assessment development and administration
- Meet with students as needed to support their learning
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date online gradebook
- Effectively and supportively communicate with students and families in a timely manner
- Provide written and oral feedback on student progress consistently throughout the school year and adhere to all narrative and grade reporting deadlines
- Collaborate with the Chair, Upper School colleagues, and Middle School colleagues in developing unit plans, lesson plans, and assessments that reflect the goals and mission of the department and the School.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Work on grade teams to ensure maximum student success
- Communicate effectively and promptly with students, deans, and families
- Co-advise an affinity space or co-teach a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging) class that meets once a cycle
- Attend and actively contribute to meetings during and after the school day, including but not limited to departmental, committee, divisional, and grade-level meetings
- Accompany students on occasional curricular trips
- Attend community events throughout the school year
- Fulfill other supervisory duties as requested by the department chair, division head, Assistant Head of School, and/or Head of School
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master’s degree in English or a related field
Experience: Three years of teaching experience in upper school/high school English
Salary Range: $76,700 - $94,986
Poly Prep strives to be an equitable, just, and diverse community, one proud of and deeply committed to empowering students to discover who they are and what they want to be. In keeping with the country day school philosophy, we seek community members who will share a passion for learning in and out of the classroom.
We offer a supportive environment, with a full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a generous match on our 403(b) retirement plan, long-term disability, flexible spending account, pre-tax commute benefit, and free lunch).
How to Apply: Click [Apply for this position] to submit your resume, cover letter, and specific evidence of qualifications to Peter Nowakoski, Peter and Isabel Malkin Chair of English.
Poly Prep is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.