Summer I Science Teacher
About The Position
Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined. With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 720+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders. POSITION SUMMARY The Summer I Science Teacher facilitates the educational success of rising fifth graders with the greatest number of barriers to college graduation, whether that be socioeconomic, racial, family education level, first-generation/immigrant, etc. Through intensive classroom instruction and academic enrichment opportunities, the Summer I Science Teacher prepares students for rigorous middle and high school programs in public schools (Seattle, Renton and Highline), independent schools and other private schools. Rainier Scholars teachers seek to accomplish the following goals in curriculum, instruction and assessment: Exposure to challenging content that students will see in rigorous academic settings Development of advanced skills that will allow students to perform at top levels Exposure to and examination of themes that are relevant to the journey of a Rainier Scholar In Rainier Scholars’ first summer science curriculum, students build foundational scientific skills through the study of biology. They practice asking questions and making predictions using scientific knowledge and real-world understandings, reading and evaluating scientific texts and evidence, and carrying out scientific inquiry to test predictions and analyze results.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a competitive college or university.
- Minimum of 3 years teaching or other proven equivalent experience in independent or public school.
- Highly organized, interested in collaboration, and possess strong listening and communication skills
- Passion for working with a diverse group of young people.
Nice To Haves
- A master's in education, those with course subject area expertise, as well as those with experience teaching at the elementary and middle school level with diverse populations.
- Demonstrated proficiency in UbD unit design (Understanding by Design, Wiggins & McTighe, 2005).
Responsibilities
- Participate in opening and closing faculty meetings on 6/22/26, 6/23/26 and 8/6/26.
- Teach two sections of Summer I Literature (16:1 student-teacher ratio) Monday through Friday from 6/24/26 to 8/7/26 in either the morning or afternoon.
- Develop curriculum in accordance with best practices and in collaboration with team of teachers and Academic Director.
- Provide frequent written and oral feedback on student progress and work, respond to academic difficulties of students, work collaboratively in response to parent concerns and conduct progress conferences at appropriate times.
- Respond to student questions via phone call until 8:30 pm (students are trained to leave voicemails when a teacher is unavailable).
- Chaperone Day of Play and Rattlesnake Ledge field trips.
