History/Economics Teacher

Location

Washington, CT | United States

Job description

History/Economics Teacher

gogunn.org | Washington, CT

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement. 

Our continuous focus on moral character development intentionally engages all members of our school in the work of creating an inclusive and equitable living and learning ecosystem. Community and citizenship are at the heart of our aspiration to both social justice and academic excellence, with individual diversity integral to the strength of that community. When we embrace difference and pursue school life with respect, equity, and compassion, we build a foundation for engaged citizens.

In keeping with the tenets of our founder Frederick Gunn, who was himself a prominent abolitionist and progressive educator, The Frederick Gunn School seeks to provide a pluralistic learning environment for all inclusive of (but not limited to): culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, learning differences, physical difference, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences.

We invite applicants who resonate with our mission and who will foster an environment of cultural and intellectual richness and an active participant in advancing equity and inclusion.

Summary

The Frederick Gunn School is seeking candidates for a full-time History and Economics position. Applicants must enjoy working with high school students of all ages, both in and outside the classroom, must understand and embrace the values of a boarding school community, and must bring passion and energy to the classroom. Further, they should have a devoted interest in the study of history and economics and be experienced in teaching close reading, historical thinking skills, and quantitative analysis. This position also serves as a coach, a dorm parent, and an adviser to a group of students.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a full-time History/Economics teacher at The Frederick Gunn School include:

• Teach up to four courses in the History department. 
• Prepares course materials such as syllabi, quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and rubrics.
• Uses the school’s learning management system (Blackbaud/WhippleHill) to post relevant course materials, including syllabi, and to maintain class grade books, attendance, and discipline. 
• Guides students, including extra help and review sessions, that promote their educational development and personal growth. 
• Assesses the progress of students on a regular basis and provides on-time written reports as required. 
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students. 
• Uses different pedagogical approaches that address a variety of learning styles. 
• Strives to implement, by instruction and action, the school’s philosophy of education and History department goals and objectives. 
• Works collaboratively with other teachers in, and outside, the History department. 
• Cooperates with and participates in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of The Frederick Gunn School’s History program. 
• Writes with clarity, effectiveness, and compassion.

Faculty Philosophy 

As members of a boarding school community, Frederick Gunn School faculty members are actively involved in all aspects of campus life, as teachers, coaches, dorm parents, mentors, and extra-curricular advisors. What this means for students is important: faculty members are accessible, we take learning seriously, and we support student explorations of many paths. It takes a community of individuals dedicated to becoming their best selves to chart the way. In 1870, founder Frederick Gunn wrote, “There is an unconscious influence, a mysterious, silent emanation going out from the personality of every teacher which is one of the strong forces of nature. Silent as the force of gravity, more powerful than the will of man, this influence works like the unnoticed electricity of the atmosphere, and makes it certain that every teacher will actually teach that which he is.” Joining our faculty means joining a rich history and an embedded philosophy that we all serve as positive influences on the lives of our students. 

Job Details 

Opening for the 24/25 school year. Offer of employment will be contingent upon a successful background check. 

Compensation 

The Frederick Gunn School offers an attractive compensation package that includes a salary commensurate with experience, school-provided housing, medical and dental insurance, and retirement plan contributions. 

To Apply 

Please submit the following materials in PDF format to [email protected].

• Resume 
• Cover letter 
• Transcript(s) 
• Two to four letters of recommendation

The Frederick Gunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except in cases of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or except as otherwise permitted or required by law, The Frederick Gunn School does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other protected class status under applicable law with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, discharge from employment or other terms and conditions of employment. Position announcements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the job title and the education and skills required. Descriptions are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that are required or may be required in the future. 

BACKGROUND SCREENING: The Frederick Gunn School conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer, which includes using a third-party administrator to conduct the checks. 

Core Values 

Integrated Humans 

Thriving people learn to integrate the intellectual, the physical, the spiritual, and the emotional through an examination of the place of each, discernment about their relative role, and a commitment to balance and flourishing. 

Hopeful Faculty 

We prize faculty who believe resiliently, optimistically and with good humor in the students’ and faculty’s collective ability to grow and learn; know their discipline and practice, and understand character development. A faculty oriented around these principles will earn the confidence of students and create a place of purpose and fun where faculty and students want to be. 

Learning Ecosystem 

Thriving communities recognize the interdependent nature of their parts. Therefore, The Frederick Gunn School is a school that champions the interdisciplinary and inter-experiential nature of life and learning - one that incorporates the outdoors, athletics, and arts, as well as academics, into everyday life. 

Moral Character Development 

We are a school that nurtures Mr. Gunn’s belief in character as the driving force in a life well-lived, and that character emerges through the intentional pursuit—in knowledge and practice—of what is good, right, true, sustainable, and beautiful. 

Engaged Citizens 

The Frederick Gunn School is a school that, despite growing cultural apathy, cynicism, consumerism, and distraction, produces people who care deeply - who become wise, engaged, active citizens.

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for 325 students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year located in Washington, Connecticut. Frederick Gunn was a pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, and rugged outdoorsman. He inspired generations of students to be curious and thoughtful, to be active members of their communities, and to stand up for what they believe in. He was a transformational leader. Our students become principled, active citizens and lifelong learners who will be entrepreneurial forces for good in the world.

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