Middle School Science Teacher - Leave Coverage

About the role

Menlo’s Middle School is seeking an enthusiastic, full-time 6th-grade Science Teacher. This is a temporary substitute position to support the Middle School during an employee’s leave of absence, from November 16, 2026 to June 11, 2027. This is a full-time, temporary, in-person, on‑campus position. The ideal candidate has a genuine love of Middle School students and is excited to work with all types of learners. They should also have a strong desire to encourage a lifelong passion and understanding of science in their students. We seek an educator who hopes to help students use inquiry to test and explain their ideas and further their understanding of the chemical, biological, and physical world through facilitated exploration.

Responsibilities

• Teach hands‑on 6th grade science curriculum covering heat transfer, carbon cycle, sustainability, cells, and human body systems based on NGSS standards.
• Foster curiosity through inquiry‑based lessons.
• Use pre‑existing routines, such as student science notebooks and literacy strategies.
• Grade work using the school’s standards‑based methods and Habits of Learning in a timely manner.
• Communicate student progress to students, parents, and the sixth‑grade team via reports and timely updates focused on growth mindset and specific next steps.
• Differentiate lessons for diverse learning abilities.
• Manage a safe and organized lab and classroom environment.
• Collaborate with the Department Chair and Grade Level Team to support school‑wide initiatives.
• Use and integrate technology tools into instruction like MacBooks and Google Workspace (especially Google Classroom), as well as manage Veracross and JumpRope for school records.
• Leave a clear summary of work for the returning teacher and 7th grade science teacher.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in the field of science or science education; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of Middle School teaching experience.
• Broad knowledge of and experience with current best practices in curriculum and instruction, especially standards‑based learning and NGSS three‑dimensional teaching.

Skills

• Bonus experience: familiarity using compound light microscopes, dissection etiquette knowledge, familiarity with school gardens, laser cutters and/or design thinking process.
• General instruction: possess a broad knowledge of and experience with current best practices in curriculum and instruction, especially standards‑based learning and grading.
• Design learning experiences, create assessments, and evaluate student performance in a standards‑based system, using a set of established core competencies.
• Facilitate a dynamic, inspiring, and joyful classroom, using a wide variety of creative and learner‑centered teaching methods.
• Support the organizational, academic, and emotional needs of middle schoolers through a genuine love of middle school students.
• Differentiate classroom materials, assignments, and presentations as needed to allow for learning differences among students.
• Integrate technology confidently into instruction and workflow, using AI tools for both teaching and learning, Google Workspace, and other digital resources to enhance learning.
• School community engagement: contribute to the school community by actively participating in extracurricular activities, faculty committees, and school initiatives.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through both classroom instruction and broader school community engagement.
• Manage frequent, ongoing, and prompt verbal and written communications with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with other faculty members towards common goals through active listening, sharing, and reflecting.
• Commit to ongoing professional growth and reflection.
• Model high ethical and moral standards.

Benefits

• Exceptional work environment and caring community.
• Highly competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including generous contributions to a retirement plan for eligible employees and their families.

Pay

The expected base salary range for this role is $97,000 – $182,000. Final placement within the range is determined by several factors, including skills, experience, education, job level, internal equity, full‑time or part‑time status, and scheduled working months, leaving room for salary growth.

Schedule

Full‑time, temporary, in‑person, on‑campus position running from November 16, 2026 to June 11, 2027.