Upper School History Teacher
Title: Upper School History Teacher
Department: History
Reports To: Head of Upper School
Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Monday-Friday)
Contract Year: August 15 - June 30 (Full-Time Exempt)
Position Summary: Nichols School seeks a full-time Upper School history teacher (grades 9-12) for the 2026-27 academic year. The ideal candidate will teach history courses as assigned, with a primary focus on AP African American Studies, and will be comfortable teaching both U.S. and World History.
The successful candidate will use history as a lens for deeper critical thinking, helping students analyze the past while making meaningful connections to the present. We are looking for an educator with a strong background in student-centered classrooms who values multiple perspectives and is committed to inclusive, thoughtful course design. This teacher should create a classroom environment that challenges students to think critically, engage in discussion, and develop their voices as historians.
All Upper School faculty teach four sections and serve as an advisor to a cohort of students. In addition to classroom teaching, faculty are expected to contribute to the broader life of the school through collaboration, student support, and possible participation in co-curricular programs.
Duties:
- Teach four sections of Upper School History with a primary focus on AP African American Studies, but capable of teaching U.S. and World History, depending on need.
- Adapt lessons and approaches to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Serve as an Upper School advisor to a group of approximately 10 students.
- Work closely and effectively with members of the History department to ensure that the curriculum flows smoothly.
- Communicate proactively, positively, and professionally with parents to support students' academic, social-emotional, and physical needs.
- Engage in ongoing professional growth to strengthen teaching practice, including participation in a College Board Summer Institute as needed to support AP-level instruction.
- Provide timely feedback and collaborate with faculty to offer specialized support.
- Foster a supportive and engaging classroom environment.
- Identify and respond to the individual academic, social, and emotional needs of students, including learning differences, in collaboration with our Learning Specialist.
- Attend scheduled division, advisor, faculty, and department meetings.
- Participate in the traditions, culture, and events of the Upper School.
- Perform other duties to support the division and/or school as a whole as assigned. The capacity to contribute in other areas is a valuable consideration.
- Open to being involved in extracurricular activities, including History Bowl, Model UN, or other club offerings.
Skill and Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate field; advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrate superior content knowledge.
- Design formal and informal assessments that measure student progress.
- Encourage a culture of mutual respect and equitable practice.
- Exhibit knowledge of student cognitive development and various learning styles.
- Set high academic achievement expectations.
- Passion for working with Upper School students.
- Creative, enthusiastic, and growth-mindset approach to learning.
- Identify and support students' social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Genuine concern for students and their learning success.
- Scaffold instructional activities that facilitate engaging and appropriate learning opportunities.
- Collaborative approach to working with other faculty members, administrators, and staff to further its mission.
- Excellent interpersonal and classroom management skills.
- Ability to be flexible and go with the flow in a dynamic school setting.
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