Westtown School is seeking a full-time Upper School Computer Science Teacher for the 2023-24 school year. Responsibilities will consist of teaching classes, advising a small group of students, serving on two school committees, and participating in the co-curricular program by coaching interscholastic sports, facilitating lifelong fitness programs such as yoga, or collaborative activities such as robotics or service network. Upper School Faculty contribute to our residential program as either Dorm Parents or Dorm Affiliates. Housing may be available for faculty who participate in the Upper School residential program, but is not guaranteed.
The Upper School Computer Science Teacher will teach students in grades 9-12 with a range of experiences including, first-exposure to coding, full-stack website development, machine learning systems, and independent study of college-level systems development. Westtown's digital infrastructure is highly capable, and systems are both cloud and local server based. We are a BYOD school. Our Computer Science offerings currently include: Introduction to Programming, Web Development, Dynamic Applications, Computer Science 1, and Independent Research.
As Westtown strives to fulfill our commitment to becoming an anti-bias, anti-racist (ABAR) school, we are seeking culturally competent educators with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion who are eager to engage in ongoing professional development in these areas. This will be evidenced in their approach to curriculum and pedagogy, their ability to foster and develop inclusive communities, and through their personal and professional interactions with diverse groups of students, families, faculty, and staff.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Teaches four courses each semester including, but not limited to three Computer Science courses each semester, participates in Data Driven Deep Dive Program;
Develops culturally competent and responsive lessons and learning activities that promote problem-solving, creative thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills while encouraging risk-taking in learning;
Actively involves students in the classroom through group work, project-based learning, exploration, questioning, discussion, and other cooperative teaching techniques;
Helps students hone the essential human skills of critical thinking, communication, and empathy, and empowers them to draw out those skills in other people;
Supports students’ social-emotional and identity development;
Contributes to building and sustaining an inclusive community and a program that encourages participation from student groups who are historically underrepresented in computer science;
Communicates effectively with all constituents – students, colleagues, administrators, and parents;
Contributes to students’ development of Quaker values;
Engages in decision-making aligned with Quaker process in service to the school community;
Integrates technology seamlessly into teaching strategies and practices, including use of a learning management system;
Contributes to students’ development outside the classroom through co-curricular activities, student life, and residential life;
Enthusiastically seeks out and participates in both school-sponsored and self-selected professional development opportunities to grow as an instructional leader and community member.
Opportunities
Westtown is eager to support employees in their personal and professional growth and development. All faculty and staff are encouraged to discuss their developmental needs with their supervisors and the Dean of Faculty and Innovation as they think about their long term growth in the life of the school. The school seeks to help employees stay current in their fields and advance in terms of their professional development through opportunities such as:
Affinity groups for faculty and staff that speak to the diversity of identities and experiences
Participation in a robust professional development program featuring internal and external facilitators and experts
Sponsorship to attend the NAIS People of Color Conference
Partnership in a new faculty orientation and mentorship program
Funding for professional organization memberships
Sponsorship to attend and present at professional conferences, panels, and forums
Financial assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees and coursework to support their professional growth
Sabbatical leave program to support the professional growth and personal renewal of teachers, after completing qualifying years of service
Tuition remission of 80% for two dependent children, upon enrollment
3-5 years of relevant classroom teaching experience or similar experience in a computer-science related field;
Understanding of the unique developmental, social, and academic needs of high school students and best practices for instructional engagement;
Demonstrated experience writing code with Python, Javascript, CSS, and PHP is required. Comfortable helping students use Git to track code when appropriate;
Experience with the FIRST Robotics Competition or developing programming such as Girls Who Code, is a plus;
Enthusiasm for full participation in the curricular, co-curricular, and residential duties required of a full-time Upper School faculty member;
Strong speaking, writing, and listening skills;
A demonstrated commitment to inclusive Quaker pedagogy based on cultural competence, commitment to social justice, and respect for all voices;
Familiarity with Google products and the integration of a learning management system, Canvas, into best teaching practices;
A strong affinity for the mission of Westtown School and an appreciation for Quaker values and how these inform community processes and interactions.
Westtown School is an independent, Quaker co-educational, pre-K to 12, college preparatory day and boarding school located in suburban West Chester, PA, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia. Situated on a beautiful 600-acre campus, Westtown offers a program where our committed faculty and staff inspire and prepare our students to be stewards and leaders of a better world.
Interested, qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and educational philosophy, including an outline of your professional development in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to www.westtown.edu/careers.
