8th Grade Science (FY 27 pending budget)

Wakefield Public Schools•Wakefield, MA

About The Position

The Grade 8 Science Teacher will teach five sections as part of a four-teacher team. We are seeking an educator who is familiar with phenomena-based science curricula and committed to student-centered instruction. The teacher should foster curiosity, joy, and a love of learning while guiding students to engage in science and engineering practices through discussion, investigation, and evidence-based reasoning. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence, believes all students can grow and succeed, and engages collaboratively with colleagues to support teaching and learning.

Requirements

Valid Massachusetts DESE license in an appropriate field for teaching middle school science such as General Science (5-8) or Middle School: Mathematics/Science (5-8)
Classroom or student teaching experience.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Knowledge of state standards, including the science and engineering practices, and best practices in science instruction, and lab safety protocols.
Familiarity with phenomena-based curricula and instructional strategies that support student sensemaking, reasoning, and collaborative learning.
Experience differentiating instruction to support diverse learners.
Ability to integrate technology and diverse resources to enhance student learning.
Commitment to collaboration, team-based planning, and a growth-oriented professional mindset.
Belief in the success of all students, regardless of background or ability, and a dedication to high expectations for all learners.

Responsibilities

Deliver high-quality science instruction to middle school students using district-approved curricula and aligned with state standards.
Plan, implement, and assess lessons that engage students in science and engineering practices and promote critical thinking.
Create and maintain a classroom environment that is safe, inclusive, respectful, and conducive to student engagement and academic growth.
Model and enforce proper lab safety procedures and maintain a safe lab setting for all students.
Use instructional strategies that promote student sense-making through discourse, collaboration, productive struggle, and evidence-based reasoning.
Differentiate instruction to meet the varied learning needs of all students, including those with disabilities and English learners.
Use student work and assessment data to monitor progress and inform instructional decisions.
Communicate regularly with families through meetings, phone calls, and email regarding student progress and classroom learning.
Collaborate with colleagues through team and professional learning community meetings to support student learning and share instructional practices.
Participate in ongoing professional development to enhance teaching effectiveness.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Principal.