Math Teacher

Sophia Academy is the only independent middle school in Rhode Island that provides a gender specific, holistic middle school education focusing on the intellectual and emotional growth of girls in grades 5-8 who are from low-income families. Founder Sr. Mary Reilly’s vision remains Sophia’s goal: to provide a rigorous, relevant, empowering education, preparing our students to be successful in high school and beyond, helping them to lead their lives as confident, compassionate women.

 A close-knit team of faculty draws connections to our 60 students’ lives through humanities (social studies and language arts), math, and science. Ninety-five percent of Sophia graduates complete high school in four years and most continue on to postsecondary education. The school is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) and is nonsectarian.

Sophia’s strong social justice ethos has attracted the attention of such inspiring women as #MeToo cofounder Tarana Burke and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafsai, and its dedicated and talented faculty are recognized nationally and state-wide for their excellence. 

MATH TEACHER JOB SUMMARY

Major areas of responsibility include the following:

  • Create a positive and organized classroom atmosphere that encourages students to ask questions and share ideas, provides equal opportunities for all students to be heard, promotes and inspires productive learning habits, and welcomes students to have ownership of their learning and learning spaces

  • Develop, assess, and evaluate all aspects of school-wide math program with a focus on the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade mathematics curriculum

  • Plan, prepare, and teach three sections of middle school math, including Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1

  • Differentiate instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying abilities and cultural backgrounds

  • Teach students how to learn, analyze, communicate (listening, writing, and speaking), read, and think critically

  • Evaluate students’ work on a regular basis using a variety of methods including but not limited to portfolio collection, rubrics and state standards, formal and informal assessment measures

  • Use student work, standardized testing and other forms of assessment to inform decision-making regarding instruction

  • Connect math lessons to social justice themes to make content relevant to the student body

  • Incorporate the concepts of gender-specific programming

  • Teach a high school entrance exam preparation class and support students in their preparation to take high school entrance exams

  • Support the 8th grade high school application process (i.e. test prep sessions and writing student recommendations as needed)

  • Understand the fundamental developmental stages in the social, emotional, and academic lives of middle school students

  • Participate in overall curriculum development and serve on faculty committees

  • Communicate with parents and provide opportunities for them to participate in the education of their daughters

  • Provide substitute coverage for classes as needed

  • Serve as a grade-level advisor, creating a sense of community and belonging among students, communicate with students’ families about student challenges and achievements, schedule and lead in-person advisory conferences with each family three times a year

  • Commit to continuously improving teaching practice through goal setting, professional development, working with mentors, and collaborating with colleagues

  • Attend weekly faculty meetings

  • Attend school events/activities outside of the school day and supervise as needed

  • Co-advise the 8th grade, if needed

  • Other duties as assigned
     

Desired Qualifications:

  • Belief in and support for the mission, core values, and guiding principles of Sophia Academy

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, math, STEM, or related field

  • Two or more years of classroom experience teaching math or STEM in a middle school setting; demonstrated commitment to middle school education, urban education, and girls’ education

  • Enthusiasm to teach math

  • Strong instructional and classroom management skills

  • Eager to work in a team environment

  • Ability to work independently as a curricular leader, as well as collaboratively with faculty peers

  • Initiative, creativity, and willingness to advise extracurricular activities and seek community-based opportunities to enrich the curriculum

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work effectively with a wide range of people in a diverse community

  • Strong organizational and effective time-management skills 

  • Experience in independent schools preferred

  • Clearances required

  • Bilingual (English and Spanish) is a plus
     

To apply, send cover letter, resume, and references to Marie Myers, Head of School, at mmyers@sophia-academy.org

Sophia Academy is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. 

posted 5/7/24