Upper School Humanities Teacher

Description

Why Overlake? 

The Overlake School—a thriving, future-focused independent school nestled in a green forest in Redmond, WA—is hiring for an exceptional Humanities Teacher to join our spirited and mission-aligned faculty. At Overlake, we're more than just a school. We are a bold community of learners and leaders, committed to shaping the future while honoring the values that have guided us since 1967. If you're a teacher who finds joy in being a part of a mission-driven community, serving students through best-in-class teaching frameworks, and creating memorable educational experiences, this is the opportunity for you! 

A teacher at Overlake is responsible for the education and oversight of students. In addition to possessing content knowledge in their given subject area, Overlake teachers are responsible for continually honing their pedagogical skill and subject specific knowledge, engaging actively in professional development. Teachers are expected to be active members of the Overlake community beyond duties directly related to teaching and to provide supervision whenever they are among students. They take responsibility for helping students to learn and uphold Overlake’s core values and community expectations and support students by attending games, performances and other student events from time to time. 

Why This Role?

The Social Studies curriculum is grounded in four core values: historical awareness, global perspectives, civic engagement, and social justice. We aim to foster students’ curiosity, empathy, and independent thinking by examining assumptions through an inquiry-based approach that uses a variety of sources and perspectives to present concepts and events, with the goal of using the past as a tool to understand the present. A successful candidate will have experience facilitating discussions about a range of historical and contemporary issues, supporting students with research and evidence-based writing, and designing courses that elevate critical thinking and citizenship. 

The English curriculum is grounded in close reading, analytical writing, and critical inquiry. We aim to foster students’ curiosity, empathy, and independent thinking through the study of literature and nonfiction, examining how language, narrative, and perspective shape meaning. Using an inquiry-based approach and a range of texts and voices, students analyze ideas, challenge assumptions, and use reading and writing as tools to understand themselves and the world around them. A successful candidate will have experience facilitating discussion-based learning, supporting evidence-based reading and writing, and designing courses that elevate critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement. 

The Details:

Wage: $61,987 - 118,388 salaried exempt. The wage offered will depend on education level and years of experience.

Work Hours and Location: This position is in person from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. M-F with occasional evenings and weekends throughout the school year. 

The Process: Please include a cover letter that helps us understand how you are aligned with Overlake’s Mission and Values and why you’re interested in this role at this point in your career. This post will remain open to applications until filled.  Interviewing will begin in January. 

Benefits: 

· $5 employee premium for all medical plans

· 100% employee coverage for dental and vision plans

· 35% medical, dental and vision coverage for dependents

· 10 days of paid time off accrued per year up to 40 

· Paid holidays and school breaks

· 5-10% employer retirement match based on years of service 

· On-site health and wellness

· Professional development allowance

· Meal allowance for breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily

· Employee Assistance Program

· Long-term and short-term disability as well as life insurance

· Use of School Library

· New Employee Mentorship Program

Who You Are: The ideal candidate is an outstanding educator with experience designing and teaching a range of curricula including advanced level courses who will work to ensure student success. This person should contribute enthusiastically to our school community and will work closely with grade level teams as well as with the Social Studies and English departments and teaching partners. A successful candidate will be comfortable fostering supportive student-teacher-family relationships and differentiating instruction for a diverse group of students.

What You’ll Do 

• Teach two Upper School Social Studies and two Upper School English courses.
• Attend the following as directed by School Leadership:
  • All School, Upper School Middle School, and special assemblies.
  • Fall Retreat overnight(s) or field studies, depending on your grade level
  • New Family Orientations 
  • Back to School Nights 
  • Graduation events
  • Two of three Admissions Open Houses or its equivalent  
  • Faculty, division, department, all-school, and grade-level meetings. 
• Proctor exams including finals, 504s, and AP for AP teachers
• Serve as an advisor/homeroom teacher
• Participate in Project Week every year 
• Substitute/cover for absent teachers seven periods a year
• Be an adult supervisory presence whenever among students before, during, and after school and at lunch
• Chaperone class and grade-level events (dances, socials, etc.)
• Sponsor or advise at least one club, student-led organization
• Hold office hours three days a week
• Participate in professional development
  • Faculty meetings before the start of school in August for New Faculty, Department Chairs, other leaders
  • Faculty meetings before the start of school in August for returning Faculty
  • All professional development 
• Participate in Student-Led Conferences & Parent Teacher Conferences 

Department Expectations

· Actively engage in the professional learning cycle of supervision and evaluation

· Maintain an accurate and updated LMS that meets Division and Department expectations, including final grade posting by the deadlines

· Attend all department meetings; participate in the growth and development of the department

· Work on scope and sequence with fellow department members

· Keep curriculum up to date

Requirements

Successful candidates are teachers who inspire students to think critically and communicate thoughtfully. Further, strong candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Strong background in history and/or related fields, particularly American history and/or modern world history 
• Strong background in English 
• A student-centered approach to teaching 
• Belief in the critical importance of diversity in the life of the school and excitement about working to build and maintain a classroom that honors diversity of opinion and practices 
• Familiarity with differentiated instruction and the  ability to engage students at a variety of levels of academic background,      particularly in writing 
• Ability to communicate well in writing and verbally with colleagues, students, and families 
• Experience collaborating in and outside of department and grade-level teams 
• Computer literacy and technological proficiency, with an interest in incorporating technology into the classroom 
• Competency developing and using rubrics, standards, and essential questions 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the UbD and UDL frameworks for course design 
• Experience designing a range of curricula and teaching advanced level courses including AP courses 
• Possess a level of cultural competency necessary for working with a diverse population in an inclusive and equitable community 
• Can model a culture of flexible, continuous learning for students 
• Familiarity with a variety of assessment styles 
• Natural rapport and demonstrated effective leadership with students 
• Evidence of ongoing professional development 
• Willingness and desire to contribute to Overlake beyond the classroom