Career Center

Available Position:

Upper School Journalism and Student Publications Teacher

Department:

Upper School

Reports to:

Head of Upper School

FLSA Classification:

Exempt (Salary)

Full/Part-time:

Full-time (10 months)

Date Posted:

February 10, 2023

Start Date:

August 2023

About The Hockaday School:

The Hockaday School is an independent, college preparatory school for girls of strong potential and diverse backgrounds who may be expected to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in a rapidly changing world. With an enrollment of more than 1,100 students, The Hockaday School is the nation’s largest prekindergarten through grade 12 independent girls’ school. Ranked among the country’s finest college preparatory schools, it was founded over a century ago and continues today to build on its original Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics.

Hockaday’s faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field and students in every grade benefit from outstanding faculty and access to unmatched resources.  Families who choose Hockaday care deeply about providing their daughters with a comprehensive and rigorous education inside and outside the classroom. Hockaday’s student body reflects the diversity deeply valued by the School.

Position Description:

The Hockaday School is seeking an Upper School Journalism Teacher to join its faculty. Journalism at Hockaday is part of the Mass Communications Department. This position will teach journalism classes and oversee the following nationally recognized and award-winning student publications: The Fourcast newspaper and Jade Magazine, Cornerstones yearbook, and the Vibrato literary magazine. When necessary, time outside of class may be required for the publications.

Essential Functions:

·         Teach five 80-minute class periods every two days

·         Teach journalism and publications courses to Upper School students

·         Serve as an advisor to a group of Upper School students

·         Develop and execute engaging lesson plans creating an environment that allows students to think critically and independently

·         Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students

·         Effectively use technology in a way that expands class time and engages the class in the global community

·         Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and parents

·         Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Experience:

·         Advanced degree in a Journalism, Communications, or related field  preferred

·         Teaching experience in a school setting preferred

·         Experience constructing and teaching curricula that cover multiple facets of journalistic storytelling and visual communication 

·         An understanding of media law and ethics as it applies to scholastic media, specifically in independent schools

·         Experience and interest in developing innovative uses of technology in the classroom as well as comfort with its administrative use

·         Strong understanding of social media and emerging platforms

·         Comfort with InDesign and Photoshop, or other publishing and design software, preferred

·         Commitment to being a supportive, respectful, and energetic colleague and mentor

·         Must have the ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School-required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks

Training:

·         Participate in all requisite School training prior to the start of the school and throughout the School year, including periodic in-service meetings

·         Acknowledge receipt of the current Employee Handbook, review the contents, and abide by rules, policies, and procedures stated in the Handbook or otherwise by the School

·         Abide by Hockaday’s Code of Ethics and Conduct

·         Commit to the ideals expressed in Hockaday’s Tenets of Faculty Excellence

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

·         Regularly works in standard office or classroom conditions and climate

·         Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time; ability to observe students from various distances

·         Frequently required to move around the office/classroom; works at a desk for extended periods of time

·         Ability to occasionally move items weighing up to 30lbs. across the campus/classroom/office

·         Ability to periodically support before and after-school or weekend events

·         Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, fellow staff, and community members

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.  This job description reflects administration’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts administration’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.  To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Application Requirements:

Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment under “How to Apply” at https://www.hockaday.org/about/employment and attach a cover letter and résumé. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application and additional details to complete the application process. Contact recruitment@hockaday.org with any questions.

The Hockaday School is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy not to discriminate, and to comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable protected classification.