Science Center Teacher (.5 FTE)/Program Specialist (.5 FTE) SY26-27

Needham Public Schools•Needham, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and warm Science Center Teacher (.5 FTE)/Program Specialist (.5 FTE) to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate . This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here . Science Center Teacher (Unit A) Deliver direct instruction in science content, environmental ecology, and engineering design process to students in grades K- 5 Collaborate with the K-5 Science Curriculum Coordinator, elementary teachers and department members to enhance science learning of all students district-wide by: Evaluate, assess and revise the NPS curriculum to follow MA STE Framework, consistent with school district goals and objectives and to support integration across topics Creating, revising and analyzing data from NPS science assessments Support classroom teachers by modelling and/or co-teaching lessons with science pedagogy, and culturally responsive methods Participating in ongoing professional development to maintain currency with respect to of research and best practices Independently plan, schedule, and present Science Center lessons, programs, field trips, lessons, and activities that provide inquiry-based instruction to students Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school’s standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve afunctional learning atmosphere in the classroom. participates in faculty meetings and committees. Other duties as assigned Science Center Program Specialist (Unit C) Present Science Center programs, field trips, lessons, and activities Maintain existing Science Center loan items, equipment, materials, and kits. Inventory returning teacher binders and kits, refurbish consumables, complete to match order for delivery and meet delivery deadlines. Interact with live animals, some exotic, both to provide occasional care and handling within a student setting. Communicate effectively with classroom teachers, principals, support staff, community volunteers, parents, and students. Other duties as assigned Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Must have a basic understanding of science content and MA STE standards, engineering design process for young children, inquiry-instruction methodologies, along with a sophisticated understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of children in grades K-5. Must be skilled in small group instruction practices, science notebook usage, supporting student-led investigations, and science discourse. Must have basic knowledge and comfort level with outdoor education, and willingness to collect and handle invertebrates and small vertebrates in the wild. Must be comfortable with handling and caring for live animals and willing to provide instruction in front of students with live animals. Must have the ability to set clear expectations with age-appropriate behavior management goals and strategies. Must be a highly motivated, self-starter who can work both independently and collaboratively. Must have strong organizational skills Must have the capacity to travel across the district and within a school to implement curriculum, programs, and field trips, deliver kits, materials, and live animals to classrooms. Must have well-established communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to share information and resources as appropriate, including strong written communication skills and a pleasant manner when fielding phone calls. Must be flexible and able to prioritize when necessary to meet newly emerging demands. Physical Requirements: 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. Regularly required to sit (including sitting on the floor or other hard surface), stand, walk, kneel, talk, hear, operate a computer and/or other devices, reach with hands and arms, work indoors or outdoors, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs pounds. Occasionally may need to assist students with standing, sitting, organizational functions or other related general physical tasks. Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree is required; Master's degree is preferred. OR Master’s Degree, with specialization in science instruction preferred 2-3 years of classroom teaching experience, i ncluding science and/or engineering Hold a Massachusetts Teaching License in Elementary 1-6 or General Science ( 1-6) Schedule The position is .5 Unit C and .5 Unit A The position will generally entail 37.5 hours per week 8am-3:30pm (20 hours unit c and 17.5 unit A) with occasional hours based on Unit A contract The position requires work hours that are generally from, with some minor variation. The work schedule follows the school calendar, with an addition of 5 total days before/end of school year. Compensation and Benefits Compensation will be based on 20 hours of unit c work @ Hourly rate range: $24.94 - $29.27 and 17.5 hours@ Salary is determined by education and experience, ranging from Bachelor’s (Step 1) $31,608.50 to Doctorate (Step 14) $66,961.00 (This range is prorated for 0.5 FTE). Job Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools. Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website . All positions are subject to the approval of the 2026-2027 Needham Public School budget by the Town of Needham.

Requirements

Must have a basic understanding of science content and MA STE standards, engineering design process for young children, inquiry-instruction methodologies, along with a sophisticated understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of children in grades K-5.
Must be skilled in small group instruction practices, science notebook usage, supporting student-led investigations, and science discourse.
Must have basic knowledge and comfort level with outdoor education, and willingness to collect and handle invertebrates and small vertebrates in the wild.
Must be comfortable with handling and caring for live animals and willing to provide instruction in front of students with live animals.
Must have the ability to set clear expectations with age-appropriate behavior management goals and strategies.
Must be a highly motivated, self-starter who can work both independently and collaboratively.
Must have strong organizational skills
Must have the capacity to travel across the district and within a school to implement curriculum, programs, and field trips, deliver kits, materials, and live animals to classrooms.
Must have well-established communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to share information and resources as appropriate, including strong written communication skills and a pleasant manner when fielding phone calls.
Must be flexible and able to prioritize when necessary to meet newly emerging demands.
Regularly required to sit (including sitting on the floor or other hard surface), stand, walk, kneel, talk, hear, operate a computer and/or other devices, reach with hands and arms, work indoors or outdoors, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs pounds.
Occasionally may need to assist students with standing, sitting, organizational functions or other related general physical tasks.
Bachelor's Degree is required
2-3 years of classroom teaching experience, i ncluding science and/or engineering
Hold a Massachusetts Teaching License in Elementary 1-6 or General Science ( 1-6)

Nice To Haves

Master's degree is preferred.
Master’s Degree, with specialization in science instruction preferred

Responsibilities

Deliver direct instruction in science content, environmental ecology, and engineering design process to students in grades K- 5
Evaluate, assess and revise the NPS curriculum to follow MA STE Framework, consistent with school district goals and objectives and to support integration across topics
Creating, revising and analyzing data from NPS science assessments
Support classroom teachers by modelling and/or co-teaching lessons with science pedagogy, and culturally responsive methods
Participating in ongoing professional development to maintain currency with respect to of research and best practices
Independently plan, schedule, and present Science Center lessons, programs, field trips, lessons, and activities that provide inquiry-based instruction to students
Ensures that student conduct conforms with the school’s standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve afunctional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
participates in faculty meetings and committees
Present Science Center programs, field trips, lessons, and activities
Maintain existing Science Center loan items, equipment, materials, and kits.
Inventory returning teacher binders and kits, refurbish consumables, complete to match order for delivery and meet delivery deadlines.
Interact with live animals, some exotic, both to provide occasional care and handling within a student setting.
Communicate effectively with classroom teachers, principals, support staff, community volunteers, parents, and students.
Other duties as assigned