Science Teacher SY26-27 (California)

At Summit Public Schools, our mission is to collectively prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen, concrete next step toward a fulfilled life. Summit is a leading network of public schools serving over 3,300 students across 10 schools in the Bay Area and Washington state. We are committed to ensuring that every student graduates ready to pursue a future of purpose and opportunity.

About the Role

Summit’s research-backed model makes teaching and learning at a Summit school unique. As a Science Teacher, you will:

• Mentor the same group of students each year in advisory groups, building strong relationships based on deep trust.
• Teach universal skills through real-world deep learning projects during Project Time, using your subject-area expertise to help students apply their knowledge.
• Meet 1:1 with each student regularly to coach them toward their personal goals.
• Collaborate with grade-level and subject-level teams to continuously improve as a deep learning teacher and mentor.

Summit provides a research-backed curriculum and tools to help teachers focus on teaching and become the best deep learning (project-based) educators in the world. We are committed to continuous improvement, offering dedicated professional development days, regular coaching sessions, and a culture of actionable feedback.

Responsibilities

• Project Time: Teach 90-minute blocks in high school or four 55-minute blocks in middle school per day. Most teachers teach one course for the entire grade (e.g., 9th Grade Biology) and see each section twice per week. Facilitate deep learning experiences that develop cognitive skills and apply content knowledge to real-world situations. Lead classroom discussions, coach students in applying cognitive skills, and provide feedback.
• Mentor Time: Meet daily with a small group of mentees for their entire time at Summit. Build community, work on habits of success, and check in one-on-one with mentees. Coach and advocate for mentees both inside and outside the classroom, supporting their development as self-directed learners.
• Self-Directed Learning Time and Interventions: Facilitate Self-Directed Learning time and daily literacy or math interventions without lesson planning. Provide student support, monitor progress, and check in with individuals or groups.
• Collaboration & Professional Development: Participate in all-faculty after-school meetings twice a week for community decisions, professional development, and collaboration as a grade-level or subject-level team.
• Analyze student progress data to build lesson plans and determine group and individual supports needed for student success.
• Support school culture and engage in personal development activities between teaching blocks.

Requirements

• Commitment to uphold Summit’s values and ensure all students receive a rigorous, equitable education that prepares them for success beyond high school.
• A strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) by embedding these values into daily practices, interactions, and decision-making.
• Teaching Credential in California or another U.S. state.
• Bachelor’s Degree (a Master’s Degree in Education is preferred but not required).
• Clear health and background check.
• Teaching experience in your subject is preferred but not required.

Qualifications

• Passion for being a world-class deep learning (project-based) teacher.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with mission-aligned, high-performing colleagues.
• Excitement to teach Summit’s common curriculum and assessment system, designed for teachers by teachers in partnership with learning scientists.
• Commitment to working in intentionally heterogeneous schools and supporting all diverse students to reach a fulfilled life.
• Eagerness to engage in professional development and grow as a practitioner in a network committed to continuous improvement.
• Growth mindset and openness to feedback.
• Passion for serving as a mentor and advocate for a group of students you’ll follow year to year.
• Willingness to have hard conversations to support students.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of benefits, including a retirement plan.
• 12 paid holidays and 3 weeks of organization-wide closures during the year.
• Access to multiple health, dental, and vision plans at 25% cost (Summit covers the remaining 75%).
• Employee life and disability insurance at no cost.

Pay

The salary for this position ranges from $63,718 to $99,987, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Student school day: approximately 8:00–8:30 a.m. to 3:00–3:30 p.m., depending on the school.
• Teacher workday: begins no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and ends no later than 5:00 p.m.
• Twice-weekly all-faculty after-school meetings for collaboration and professional development.