English Teacher (9th grade)

Ethical Culture Fieldston School•New York, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves an inclusive community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, and the other in Manhattan. The Upper School, located in the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 600 students and 80 faculty members. The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of inclusion and belonging deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace all aspects of an individual, including their ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students’ cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self. We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in an inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality. The Upper School is seeking an English Teacher (9th grade) for a one year position for the 26/27 school year. The candidate should have a background in literary analysis and strong familiarity with 9th-grade English (Foundations in Literature: The Self and Society), with an ability to competently teach texts and authors who wrestle with multiple perspectives with themes in areas such as Latin American Literature and/or World Literature. Candidates should also be well versed in explicit close reading strategies and coaching students to develop deep analytical skills. This position is a one year appointment and will begin on September 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. This role will be a .75 FTE ( full time equivalency ) and the hiring range will be $56,445-$138,622. The salary/ FTE are subject to change and this position may be eligible for extension into a subsequent year. Please note that this is an onsite role and not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred in English
Demonstrated expertise in writing pedagogy and practices as well as American Literature and Creative Writing
A passion for teaching with a pleasant and positive demeanor toward all forms of teaching and learning
The ability to collaborate and build strong relationships with faculty, administrators, students, parents, and the overall community
A commitment to cultural competency and to fostering an inclusive environment that supports students of all backgrounds, especially through the teaching of texts that and authors who wrestle from multiple perspectives with themes including but not limited to age, gender, race, socio-economic status, ability, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnicity
A minimum of 2 years of relevant teaching experience, preferably with upper school (high school) students
A commitment to engaging in ongoing professional development and proficiency in utilizing and learning new technologies ( i.e. , Google Workspace tools, Smartboards, apps)
Excellent verbal, written, and oral communication skills
A positive attitude and the ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback
The ability to manage time effectively, stay organized, and prioritize required tasks
Reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance
The ability to cultivate a welcoming culture in which all members of our community feel valued and appreciated

Nice To Haves

Expertise, experience, or interest in teaching three (3) of the five (5) areas preferred: Latin American Literature, Caribbean Literature, Native American Literature, African American and Queer Literature
Background or expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration and teaching preferred

Responsibilities

Teaching a course load of 2 sections of 9th-grade English and an elective each semester
Having a collaborative approach with other colleagues, including sharing resources and communicating about curriculum and students
Preparing for and communicating details about student performance and growth with parents and/or guardians at scheduled conferences
Appropriately addressing student behavioral issues and other challenges that may arise in the classroom in order to maintain a safe environment and a sense of calm in such situations
Maintaining accurate student record keeping including grades and attendance
Providing encouragement to students to help support their social and emotional growth
Ensuring confidentiality of student information as necessary
Attending all departmental, divisional, and school-wide meetings
Maintaining compliance with all school policies, state regulations, and educational standards
Performing other related projects and duties as needed and assigned