UPPER SCHOOL MATH TEACHER

Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences. We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education. We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.

About the School

The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, gender inclusive day school of 786 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning; to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers; and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.

About the Role

The Park School seeks a full-time teacher in the Upper School math department. A full-time position includes teaching four sections; advising individual students, as well as student committees or activities; school-wide curriculum development in collaboration with colleagues; and involvement in discussion about community issues that affect the entire Upper School.

The primary goal of The Park School’s math department is to enable students to become more mathematically capable, confident, and appreciative. Inquiry and the construction of knowledge are essential elements of each student’s mathematical experience at Park. Classes are opportunities for students to explore interesting problems using important ideas from different areas of mathematics. Training in specific mathematical habits of mind (Tinker, Visualize, Simplify the Problem…) is an ongoing focus in the classroom.

For example, early in 9th Grade, students study arithmetic sequences. They are asked how they might add up the numbers 1-10 without actually adding up the individual numbers. Eventually this generalizes to sequences of arbitrary length and different “common differences.” Students come up with different methods and eventually write their own formula for the sum of an arithmetic series. The teacher facilitates this conversation, perhaps pushing the students to use algebra to show that some of the methods that seem different from one another turn out to be equivalent.

Over the past several years, the math department has written original 9th, 10th, and 11th Grade curricula that have a strong emphasis on teaching students problem solving strategies, and which encourage student discussion and inquiry. The new materials are being used as texts for all three grade levels. Work to revise and enhance the curricula continues. It is essential that the new department member brings an enthusiasm for interesting problems, developing lessons, and collaborating with colleagues. Prospective applicants are encouraged to examine lessons from the curricula, available at http://www.parkmath.org/Sample.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in mathematics or a related field (e.g. physics).
• Orientation to progressive philosophy and teaching methods.
• Ability to teach up through calculus and beyond in a manner supportive of our philosophy.
• Enthusiasm for interesting problems and for discussing these problems with students.
• Experience engaging students in activities that help them to develop and demonstrate an understanding of mathematics.
• Flexibility and responsiveness to student needs and willingness to adapt lessons accordingly.
• Desire to participate in mathematics curriculum development and assessment.
• Openness to cross-divisional teaching preferred.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds and/or who have experience in cultural competency work are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pay

Park's job requirements differ, with some positions requiring no experience, while others require years of expertise. Our salary range is from $51,500 to $82,500 and is based on factors such as years of experience, qualifications, full-or part-time status, and schedule. If selected for the role, your salary will be determined by your experience and qualifications. Salaries do not include benefits.

Benefits

Park offers eligible employees a range of benefits, including:

• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Disability and parental leave.
• Paid time off.
• An Employee Assistance Program and other wellness resources available to all employees.

Benefits eligibility depends on scheduled hours and employment classification. Employees working at or above applicable eligibility thresholds (for example, 0.5 FTE for certain health benefits) may qualify for some of the benefits described above, in accordance with plan terms and school policy. Certain benefits, including tuition remission, are available only to employees in benefits-eligible full-time roles who meet applicable service requirements.