Middle School Math Teacher

Westside School is seeking a dynamic teacher to join our community school as a Middle School Math teacher. A solid understanding of conceptual mathematics is essential, as is the capacity for teaching in a standards-based and inquiry-based environment. We are looking for a colleague who is committed to collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches and differentiating instruction to enhance learning. The person we seek will personalize the experiences for their students and foster a sense of agency for the learners in their care. The learning environment will be co-constructed with their students and be a place where inquiry, success, resilience and agency are nurtured and celebrated.

The teacher will be responsible for two of the four grade levels in our middle school program grades 5-8; they will collaborate closely with our math and science teachers and learning specialists.

About Westside School

NEW Mission : Westside students learn to think critically and act with compassion in a joyful, supportive community.

NEW Vision : Westside is committed to being a collaborative, inclusive school where learners discover their unique strengths, embrace challenges, and develop a passion for learning, in order to contribute positively to their world.

We are seeking colleagues who are driven by:

• a strong belief in Westside’s mission, vision and values
• student-centered pedagogies
• a love of middle school learners
• a focus on trust, relationships and community

Our learning environment is characterized as:

• conceptual
• inquiry based learning
• fostering agency in our learners 
• service-oriented
• personalized
• joyful, nurturing and challenging
• diverse, safe and inclusive

Located in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, Westside School serves ~400 students in preschool through eighth grade. 34% of our student body are Black, Indigenous and People of Color . Westside’s Middle School serves 150 students in 5th-8th grade, and values teachers who collaborate to implement and design meaningful curriculum, and who support the school’s focus on diversity and inclusion. The Math teacher participates fully in the life of the school, attending meetings and staff retreats, curriculum nights, school celebrations, and upholds the mission, vision, and values of Westside School.

Diversity Statement:

Westside School is committed to promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competence in its education, employment practices, school community, and governance. It views inclusiveness as a fundamental value, diversity as a key element, and cultural competence as a vital skill necessary to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a global society. Westside uses the term diversity broadly to encompass differences in the attributes of individuals, families, and communities.

Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications and Experience

Required 

• At least two years of full time classroom experience teaching in an accredited school
• At least a Bachelor’s degree

Preferred 

• A Secondary license or certification for teaching
• An advanced degree in education
• Recent and relevant professional development in teaching and learning

Professional Skills/Qualities

• Successful experience teaching standards-based curriculum and deep knowledge of inquiry-based learning
• Proven commitment to participate in and establish collaborative structures
• Ability to provide differentiated instruction for students with varying levels of ability
• Committed to utilizing data to make informed instructional decisions
• Experience utilizing technology tools to enhance student learning
• Proven ability to work successfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers and others

Teaching and Learning Responsibilities

Instruction

• Facilitates the instruction of middle school Math classes
• Establishes a well-managed learning environment where active, individual learning and progress for all students is the norm
• Collaboratively develops unit plans by employing a backwards planning model that utilizes the identified scope and sequence and content standards
• Utilises data from varied sources (diagnostic, formative, summative, standardized, etc) to inform instruction and develop differentiated learning opportunities for students
• Provides timely feedback to students that is actionable and relevant to their learning
• Monitors, advises and assists in the pastoral care of students in our Advisory program 
• Effectively embeds intentional learning experiences focused on developing a child’s approach to their learning and offers ongoing reflective opportunities for our students

School Community

• Understands and supports the diversity of the school community and students’ family backgrounds
• Works in a positive, cooperative and supportive way with students, parents, co-workers and other stakeholders
• Communicates regularly with parents on matters of school business
• Engages in and supports activities that help promote school spirit and sense of community
• Promotes opportunities for developing community involvement throughout the wider community
• Recognizes the importance of service learning to our community and promotes this with students and the wider community

School Organization

• Actively participates in meetings they are invited to attend
• Participates in professional development opportunities
• Sets and engages in professional goal setting that is aligned to mission and vision of the school; engages thoughtfully in the evaluation process
• Reads all staff bulletins for the whole school and their own division; checks and responds to emails within 24 hours
• Conducts school business at all times in a professional and ethical manner
• Safeguards the loss/damage of the school equipment and materials
• Assists the administration and subject colleagues in covering classes and duties - 5 per school year

Reports to Middle School Head

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time position. The annual salary range is $61,000 - $90,000. Westside School offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees.

403b Retirement Savings Plan upon eligibility

Medical and Dental insurance

Life, AD&D, and Long-term Disability insurance

Various voluntary insurance benefits including vision insurance, short-term disability, term life insurance, and many more.

3 Days of Personal Time Off per year

7 Days of Sick Time Off per year

11+ paid holidays throughout the year

Start Date: August 15, 2024

COVID-19 School Mandate: Westside School follows WA State Government’s mandates in regard to COVID-19. This includes but is not limited to the mandate that all school employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (excluding religious and medical exemptions), including recommended booster shots. 

Application Process

Candidates wishing to learn more about Westside School should visit the school website: LINK .

Interested candidates should send an application to:

The review of files will begin immediately upon receipt. 

The application should include:

1. Cover letter of application.
2. Resume 
3. Educational philosophy
4. A list of references (at least 3), including names, positions, current employment and contact email addresses. One of those should be the current supervisor.

Application Deadline: May 10th . We reserve the right to move forward earlier if the right candidate is found.

Westside School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

About Westside School

Westside School serves 400 students in preschool-eighth grade. In the fall 2015, Westside School moved to a permanent campus in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, which supports our mission and values as a progressive, academically rigorous, relationship rich, preschool through eighth grade school with the core values of Academic Excellence, Joyful Learning, and Creating Confident Learners in a Caring Community.

Connections working at Westside School