Upper School Social Studies Teacher

Bennett Day School Inc•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Bennett Day School is a progressive independent day school looking for passionate educators with innovative spirit and rich background in adolescent learning and school experience. We are a new type of independent school; unabashed believers in the values of progressive education, we put students at the center of the process of learning. The Bennett Day Upper School is hiring a full-time lead teacher with an expertise in the field of Social Studies. In this role, you’ll be part of the Upper School faculty team and be responsible for implementing the core characteristics of our progressive, project- and competency-based high school. Reporting to our Director of the Upper School, you’ll bring your experience to the team to lead a cohort of students as part of the upper school team of teachers beginning in the fall of 2026-2027. Most importantly, you’ll act as advisor to the students in a cohort, leading a group of ten as a mentor through all elements of the school experience. As a teacher, you’ll also design and teach courses, both in Project-Based Learning environments (in collaboration with a STEM teacher) and through traditional “studio” courses, based on the needs of our students and in your field of expertise. You’ll act as a mentor to new colleagues as our school grows in future years. THE OPPORTUNITY As one of our teachers, you’ll be intimately involved in every aspect of our growing school, and have input into major pedagogical and/or curricular decisions that the high school makes. You’ll simultaneously develop your pedagogical and design skills free from many outside constraints that you find in traditional schools, as you will be designing and implementing a project-based curriculum in a grade-free (no A’s, B’s or C’s) school. You’ll have the opportunity to develop meaningful educational relationships with students in your work as an advisor, while having a smaller course load (2 classes per trimester). You’ll also learn from your colleagues during the ample professional development time, which occurs on Wednesdays when students are released early. We are a small team and collaborate constantly on pedagogy, educational design, and student support. This position is ideal for someone with exceptional organizational and management skills who thrives when given the opportunity to make close connections and develop relationships with students, families and colleagues. YOUR FIRST YEAR: WITHIN ONE MONTH YOU’LL Learn about all the major elements of the upper school and how they embody the school’s mission and vision Learn about our competency-based education model Learn about our advisory program and work with your mentor teacher(s) and school counselor to plan your advisory Meet with the Upper School design team to coordinate on planning Design your first Project-Based Learning experience for students in collaboration with the Upper School team and your co-teacher, Plan for and meet your first group of advisees and their families in a series of home visits WITHIN THREE MONTHS YOU’LL Attend 1-2 admissions and marketing events as needed to share the school’s story to potential Bennett Day families Co-Teach your first cross-curricular Project-Based Learning course with a STEM teacher Submit regular reports on student progress Participate in our professional development program on a weekly basis Lead conferences with families of your students Maintain a competency assessment of each student in your Project-Based Learning and Studio Courses WITHIN SIX MONTHS YOU’LL Teach a social studies “studio” course determined in concert with the Upper School Team Co-Teach your second Project-Based learning course during Trimester Two Write narrative assessments of your students and help them develop their own learning portfolios Be a part of the planning for info sessions for prospective families Be a part of admissions events Attend at least one professional development experience to learn more about at least one area of our pedagogical model with which you feel you need assistance or guidance Be the content-area expert and an important voice in development in your field(s) of expertise WITHIN ONE YEAR, YOU’LL Continue to teach Project-Based Learning and/or Studio courses during Trimester 3 Help make enrollment decisions to finalize our next cohort of students for admission in the fall of 2027 Contribute to the interview and vetting process when/if any additional faculty is hired Provide input on the full, final curriculum for the 2027-2028 school year Responsibilities are not all-inclusive and will include other duties as assigned

Requirements

3+ years experience working with adolescents in an education setting
Recognition that your primary role is an advisor and that your content expertise is secondary to the position
Experience teaching in a Project-Based Learning environment
Experience teaching Social Studies courses in an Upper School setting
Success teaching in, or deep interest in, competency-based learning programs
Interdisciplinary and/or team teaching experience
Interest in/Experience working in teams, especially design teams
Successful experience working as a mentor/advisor to an adolescent within an academic setting
Interest in/Experience designing innovative and experimental curriculum in a collaborative setting
Commitment to continual development of one’s cultural competence
Commitment to ongoing professional development
Exceptional organizational skills

Nice To Haves

Interest in hosting school-sponsored clubs (such as Student Government)
Comfort in a startup culture
Project Management and leadership experience
Experience or education in, or professional passion for, multiple content areas across traditional silos
Interest in the Science of the Adolescent Brain/Learning Science
Working knowledge of one additional language (desired, but not required)

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