Position Title: English Teacher
Employment Category: Category B
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Reports to: Head of Semester School
Exempt/Non-exempt: Exempt
Schedule (hours and weeks): Academic
Benefits Eligible: Yes
 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The English teacher collaboratively develops curriculum and planning for Maine Coast Semester’s hallmark English course, Literature and the Land, with fellow English teachers. In keeping with the semester school’s focus on place-based experiential education, teachers in this position can connect our region (Maine/New England) to the study of diverse American literary traditions, as well as make connections between the themes of the texts studied with students’ experiences in the natural world.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work to honor and uphold the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and a lens of anti-racism in the best interest of participants, constituents, and staff across the organization
• A willingness to work as a team member among the Maine Coast semester department and the greater Chewonki community
• Teach 3 sections of the honors English course, Literature and the Land
• Offer academic support for English students outside of class
• Serve as an advisor for 3-4 students and as a mentor for a cabin of 6-8 students
• Work with students three days a week on morning chores and once a week in our afternoon work program
• Serve as residential educator on rotating weeknight and weekend duty teams, offering presence at meals and participating actively in co-curricular activities
• Take on other semester school responsibilities based on skills and interests

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Live on the Chewonki campus and share meals with the community
• Help to plan and lead field trips, weekend activities, backcountry expeditions, etc.
• Work collaboratively with all faculty through pre and post semester ramp up/ramp down, weekly community meetings and bi-weekly faculty meetings
• A desire to connect with and appropriately support young people in 11th and 12th grade
• Contribute to and collaborate with the Chewonki community through committees and foundation-wide events

PREREQUISITES

• Must complete fingerprinting requirements of Maine Department of Education prior to the start of employment
• Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier to drive participants
• A minimum of CPR and First Aid certification
• The Chewonki Foundation requires that 100% of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, as allowed for by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination will be required upon acceptance of a job offer.

REQUISITES

• Attend Chewonki driver training
• Attend annual trainings conducted by the Chewonki health center
• Attend required onboarding and training sessions

Located on Maine’s rugged coastline, Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki offers a small group of diverse and academically ambitious high school juniors from around the country the opportunity to develop the habits of independent learning, an appreciation for the natural world, and the chance to practice the art of building a sustainable community. Students live in free-standing cabins with classmates for an entire semester. They start most days before 7:00 a.m. with chores, eat all meals communally, and manage a rigorous course load. This only begins to describe the interconnected nature of teaching and learning at Maine Coast Semester.

Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki is seeking a full time, residential English teacher, starting August 15, 2022. Responsibilities include teaching Maine Coast Semester’s trademark honors English curriculum: Literature and the Land, advising a small group of students, and serving as a member of the residential faculty and cabin parent.

Candidates should have a high level of interest in teaching exceptionally motivated high school juniors in a semester school that is committed to promoting the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is more than a commitment; it is at the core of our work throughout Chewonki, as is building strong relationships with students and colleagues. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator who is comfortable using a variety of instructional strategies and enjoys working creatively and collaboratively to develop and plan curricula.

Successful candidates must have a proven record of engaging students in place-based learning, fostering critical reading and writing skills, and inspiring a love of learning.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in English or a a relevant field 
• Must have 3-5 years of successful teaching experience
• Ability to constructively contribute to  a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning community
• Ability to develop close working relationships with all constituencies including students, families, faculty, and administration
• Ability to allow for ambiguity; to analytically and strategically solve complex educational problems; and to work on teams and to participate effectively with colleagues from all parts of Chewonki Foundation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt your message to students, families, faculty, and administration
• Willingness to embrace the lifestyle of working and living in a dynamic semester school by being a team player, eagerly assuming many roles, and devoting the time required to model excellence in job performance
• Commitment to active collaboration while also possessing the internal, self-starter motivation to learn independently

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with the principles of Restorative Practice and Community Building
• Lifeguard and/or WFR certification