Middle School/Upper School Head Science Teacher

Description:

Mary McDowell Friends School (MMFS) invites applications for a full-time Middle School/Upper School Head Science Teacher beginning August 2026.

Position Overview

Head Teachers support the mission of the school by overseeing the safety and well-being of the students in advisory, content area classes, core classrooms, and homeroom classes by monitoring and stimulating educational and social-emotional growth within the framework of the school’s mission by designing a challenging, creative, and developmentally appropriate curriculum to teach students with learning disabilities. The Quaker beliefs, testimonies, and practices are integrated into our work with students, colleagues, families, and the broader community.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Differentiate teaching methods, instructional materials, and assessment tools to meet students' varying needs and interests
• Implement individualized and differentiated student plans for homework, organization, and behavior; assign and provide prompt feedback to classwork and homework
• Participate in all CSE reviews and meetings and testify at impartial hearings
• Collaborate with division directors/academic dean, Speech-Language Pathologist professionals, occupational therapists, and counseling team members to address students’ needs
• Work with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs
• Write, edit, and submit timely trimester reports, grades, recommendations, evaluations, and other requests as needed
• Act as the advocate for homeroom students, supporting each student in their relationships with other teachers and working with the cooperating homeroom teacher to be the primary point person with parents
• Supervise homeroom students when participating in division-wide and school-wide activities such as silence, assembly, and meeting special guests
• Participate fully in the life of the school, including professional development, MMFS committees, weekly faculty meetings, regular supervisory meetings, and all school silence and staff meetings
• Supervise student activities, including study hall, student trips (including overnight trips), advisory, student clubs, etc.

Diversity and Equity Commitments:

• Understand and participate in all school-wide diversity and equity initiatives
• Examine administrative practice through the lens of race, identity, equity, and privilege
• Provide an equitable framework for leadership decisions
• Support a school culture that allows for social identities to feel welcome

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time exempt, ten-month position that follows the academic calendar. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour paid lunch; faculty meetings occur every Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand and will be scheduled in advance.

Travel

Travel between campuses is necessary on occasion for meetings, which are scheduled with advanced notice and are within walking distance from each other.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This job requires the ability to maintain the physical capacity required to navigate the school environment and to ensure the safety of the students. The ability to open filing cabinets and bend or stand for long periods of time, as necessary. Classroom locations vary based on student schedules, and staff may need to teach from different rooms.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• MA required in the content area; special education experience a plus
• 3-5 years of direct teaching experience in Biology, Environmental Science, or Chemistry; independent or charter school experience a plus
• Strong oral and written communication with parents, children, and colleagues
• Commitment to equity and justice, including knowledge and skills related to cultural competencies
• The ability to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and challenged
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
• Growth mindset and the ability to use feedback to improve practice
• Familiarity with new technologies; GSuite and Veracross a plus

Application

To apply, please upload a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three professional references as a .pdf (preferable) or word document. If your background and experience are appropriate for the position, you will be contacted directly by a member of our search committee.

We offer a rewarding work experience in downtown Brooklyn, NY, where we encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work. We recognize, appreciate, celebrate, and honor our diverse community as we build an awareness of who each individual is and who we are collectively.

Applicants who enhance the diversity of the school's faculty and administration are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please visit our website for more information on our school and a full list of vacancies.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $70,000 – $85,000, with the potential to reach up to $115,000 commensurate with experience. Mary McDowell Friends School considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education and training, essential skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employment at Mary McDowell Friends School is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic origin, nationality, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, familial status, or any other category protected by the law. Mary McDowell Friends School’s policy of non-discrimination extends to all employment practices, including but not limited to hiring, transfer, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, layoffs, and termination.