Middle School Teacher
Project Learn School (PLS) is looking for a full-time middle school teacher, beginning August 1, 2018. Project Learn School is a small, cooperative school run collectively by teachers and parents on the basis of consensus. We are looking for individuals excited about working with children and about joining our dynamic and collaborative educational community.
We believe strongly in the benefits of mixed-age classroom groups. Our Middle School comprises a mix of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who benefit greatly from learning and working with each other as well as with the younger grades. The ideal candidate would have experience working with middle school age students.
Teaching Responsibilities
The group teacher facilitates the academic, personal, emotional, and social development of the students. He or she must also strive to create a socially vibrant and intellectually curious community in the class as a whole.
Project Learn School is a school that respects its teachers as experts in their fields and gives them autonomy to make their own choices about curriculum. Given the more rigorous academic needs of a Middle School group, this group is usually led by two teachers. The teachers collaborate together on a project-based curriculum however one teacher has primary responsibility for Math and Science while the other teacher has primary responsibility for Language Arts and Social Studies. Other subjects covered by the Middle School team teachers are Philosophy and Spanish. The Middle School team teachers are supported by the school Art and Music teachers.
For 2018-2019, we are specifically seeking a Middle School teacher to have primary responsibility for Math and Science, as well as Forest School (see below).
PLS is an intimate school, and the teacher’s work will not be confined to his or her own group. Special events allow the teacher the opportunity to work with other age groups in the school. The teacher will work with the rest of the staff to care for all students in our community. PLS is also highly diverse, racially and socioeconomically. Applicants should feel comfortable working with diverse student populations and with children of all ages.
PLS welcomes the interests and talents of its community members into the classroom. We seek teachers eager to share their passions with the students. Candidates with a background in outdoor education, music, handcrafts, conflict resolution, cooking, and making/building would be particular assets to our community.
Forest School
PLS is committed to weekly outdoor experiences, which we call Forest School, now in its third year. The children spend every Wednesday in various outdoor locations, taking advantage of the many different parks and nature areas in Philadelphia. Group teachers incorporate academic subjects into this experience while also instilling within our children an understanding of how we shape our environment and how it, in turn, shapes us. The ideal candidate is willing to support and grow the existing program with the mentorship of the other staff.
Co-op Responsibilities
PLS has a cooperative governance structure. All aspects of the school program are run collectively by the teachers and parents. Attendance at a weekly staff meeting is required. In addition, teachers attend a monthly “Town Meeting” with the full staff-parent body. After their first year, teachers contribute their interests and skills to one of our various committees (e.g. Marketing, Personnel, Development, etc.).
Project Learn School Mission Statement
Project Learn School is an independent cooperative school, serving about 60 students in grades K-8. Situated in the historic Philadelphia neighborhood of Mt. Airy, PLS maximizes the many resources available in a dynamic urban setting. At Project Learn School, teachers, students and parents work together to create a progressive and humanistic community that promotes mutual respect, involvement and curiosity.
Applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and statement of educational philosophy to personnel@projectlearnschool.org or
Project Learn School, 6525 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
It is the policy of Project Learn School to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.