Upper School English Teacher

Location: Michigan
Type: Full-time, 10-month employee (7:45 am – 3:30 pm)

About the role

The Upper School English teacher will support the mission and core values of University Liggett School through positive and professional interaction with students and faculty. The teacher will ensure that the school’s curriculum, mission, vision, and strategic plan inform all decisions and actions, fostering students’ intellectual, social, behavioral, and emotional growth in an equitable and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Teach four or five sections of upper school English
• Create class environments committed to close reading of complex texts, thoughtful discussion, and analytical writing
• Design writing assignments that stretch student thinking and imagination
• Participate actively in advancing the English department’s curriculum and The Liggett Approach
• Scaffold assessments effectively and respond thoughtfully and promptly to student work
• Maintain comprehensive documentation pertaining to course syllabi, scope and sequence, lesson plans, the online portal, and the gradebook
• Collaborate with colleagues and engage in department discussions about pedagogy and other concerns
• Communicate thoughtfully, professionally, and clearly with families
• Serve as an upper school advisor, supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of students and acting as a liaison between school and home
• Participate actively and positively in the life of the school through involvement in co-curricular activities

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree or higher in English or an equivalent field
• Enthusiasm for upper school students and an understanding of their developmental needs
• A thoughtful and engaging approach to teaching, learning, and assessment
• Strong writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills
• A growth mindset about teaching practices and an eagerness to work toward professional goals and development
• A keen desire to work in a collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered environment
• Ability to connect with students of diverse backgrounds to develop healthy, supportive, and responsive relationships
• Enthusiasm for reading outside of teaching
• Commitment to supporting and being present in the life of the school
• Facility with technology in the classroom

About University Liggett School

The oldest independent co-educational day school in Michigan, University Liggett School is among the preeminent PreK-12 institutions in the Midwest. Enrolling more than 600 students, the school offers a rigorous and innovative academic framework that allows students in every grade to find their passion and explore it in depth while developing creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability. Concentrated class sizes and challenging academics shape students, fostering a keen sense of self and a lifelong appreciation for learning.

The mission of University Liggett School is to empower students to develop intellectual curiosity, leadership, and confidence to contribute to a complex and changing world. The school challenges students to excel and achieve their highest potential, creating opportunities for discovery and achievement through a faculty who foster the strengths of each student via the Curriculum for Understanding. Values of respect and responsibility are taught and practiced in an emotionally and physically safe environment.