Middle School Science & Sustainability Teacher- The Academy for Global Citizenship

The Academy for Global Citizenship seeks a visionary Science & Sustainability Teacher to foster a world-class Sustainability Science program that taps into the utilization of our innovative campus as an experiential and hands-on teaching and learning tool. The role will be responsible for spearheading the development, implementation and continual strengthening of our sustainable STEM, biomimicry, and other green “wonder lab” spaces and programs. This position also involves teaching science & sustainability and expanding the wonder and curiosity of our 6-8 graders.

This position is ideal for a passionate middle school educator seeking a collaborative and open environment for whole-student learning with a focus on environmental stewardship. As an International Baccalaureate school, the successful candidate should be an adaptable and inspiring educator, with the ability to deliver a coherent, balanced, integrated, inquiry-based program and should be capable of preparing students in a stimulating, challenging and well-organized learning environment.

Science Teacher Responsibilities include:
Teaching: Uses various modes of learning to accommodate different learning styles: inquiry, real-life experiences, current events, technology, the arts and other engagement opportunities.
Campus Engagement: Maximizes the integration of our six-acre campus as a hands-on and experiential learning tool, including on-site renewable energy and battery storage systems, learning gardens and greenhouses, innovative water systems, and sustainability features.
Outdoor Learning: Spends at least 30% of time outdoors with students, facilitating nature-based learning experiences, year-round.
Content: Teaches middle school students assigned science subject area according to IB Middle Years Program principles and student data.
Collaboration: Meets weekly with the middle school team. Collaborates with special education teachers and other grade level teachers to differentiate instruction.
Professional Development: Participates in coaching cycle, stays abreast of latest techniques and demonstrates an eagerness to learn new skills and share experiences with others.
Curriculum Development: Works to align curriculum with Next Generation Science Standards, the IB MYP, and AGC’s unique mission using world-class sustainable STEM, biomimicry, and other green “wonder lab” spaces and programs that
Performance Assessment: Sets high and measurable goals for student achievement and evaluates student progress using both summative and formative assessment data.
Community: Encourages the use of community resources, cooperates with families in welcoming them to our community, and maintains solid communication with all community members.
Advisory Teacher: Leads a small group of students through SEL & Academic Advising 4 days a week. Acts as the primary point person/contact for the student and family during the year. Co-plans advisory activities with the middle school team. Co-leads (with student) parent conferences.

We are looking for staff who:
Have a big heart to match a big brain
Are bilingual in English and Spanish (ideal)
Want their work to define best practice
Respect and thrive in a dynamic, changing, and growing environment
Know extraordinary things can happen when people work hard together
Want to participate in a laboratory for innovation in education

Working at AGC means:
Being surrounded by thoughtful, inquisitive students and hard-working, like-minded colleagues
Thinking outside of the box to do what is best for our students
Being held to high standards for continuous personal and school improvement, and being given the time and support to do so – AGC teachers receive twice as many professional development hours as their peers, and coaching from an Instructional Leadership Team with a combined experience of 13 advanced degrees and 78 years in 26 schools
Promoting student profile qualities of the International Baccalaureate Program: inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, well-balanced, and reflective.
Gaining experience with interdisciplinary International Baccalaureate Units of Inquiry, balanced literacy, arts integration, and constructivist Mathematics approach
Having high academic expectations for every student in the school everyday
Getting your hands dirty in our school garden
Enjoying 100% organic, scratch made meals prepared by our on-site chef
Working in an environmentally sustainable school culture

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
3+ years experience as an educator (ideal)
Familiarity with IB (MYP) (ideal)
Familiarity with inquiry-based teaching
Believer in culturally relevant teaching
Strong leadership, communication skills and personal drive
Ability to maintain a safe, orderly environment, in accordance with restorative justice practices
Experience with MTSS process and accommodating students diverse learners in the classroom
Bilingual in Spanish and English (ideal)

Education & Certifications:
Bachelor Degree in Education (preferred)
Middle School Endorsement (preferred)
Science Endorsement (preferred)
State of Illinois Teaching Certificate in relevant area
Certification in Bilingual Education, ESL Endorsement or extensive experience in ELL instruction (ideal)