Middle School Language Arts Lead Teacher

Middle School Language Arts TeacherMission Open Window School nurtures and inspires students of high intellectual potential.OverviewOpen Window School (K-8, coed, 360 student day school) is seeking highly qualified candidates for its Middle School Substitute Spanish Teacher position.Open Window is dedicated to serving gifted students. With a strong commitment to social-emotional learning, these exceptional young people are nurtured and inspired in both their academic and personal growth. Parents/guardians and students alike are quick to point out the strengths in the faculty and the close relationships that Open Window teachers forge with their students. Open Window students have true enthusiasm for deep and accelerated learning, with an emphasis on project-based initiatives with real world applications. Innovation and risk taking are encouraged within a supportive environment. Open Window School graduates are empathetic, academically well-prepared, innovative problem solvers, purposeful global citizens with a commitment to equity and inclusion. This is a place where it is cool to be smart, and the expectation is that our students will graduate and make a difference in high school and beyond.Located on a beautiful campus in Bellevue, Washington, 10 miles from the center of downtown Seattle, Open Window benefits from its unique location; it is surrounded by woods right in the middle of one of the fastest growing metro populations in the country. The school enjoys a robust and growing pipeline of students which will continue to drive demand for the type of rich educational experience guided by Open Window’s mission and values.Position OverviewOpen Window School seeks a lead Language Arts Teacher to join our grades 5-8 teaching team for the 2026-27 school year. This is a rare opportunity for a talented, innovative, energetic, experienced teacher to join our team. A passion for learning and teaching the art of reading and writing is a must for this position!This full-time position focuses on the instruction of language arts. Primary language arts components include effective teaching of reading comprehension and the writing process, including expository, persuasive, creative, and narrative forms. Candidates should have knowledge of a wide array of middle school literature, diverse authors, and proven experience teaching skills in deep reading comprehension. Teachers oversee and guide student book groups and discussions such as Socratic Seminars and collaborate regularly with other team members to create and provide a high-level language arts learning experience across the grades.Middle school teachers each serve as a grade level advisor to a small group of students and work closely with their grade-level and department teams. Other responsibilities include participation in weekly department, team and faculty meetings and attendance for occasional evening, weekend, and overnight activities. All teachers actively participate in leading student clubs, leadership groups and participate in other community building activities as an integral part of our highly valued joyful and connected middle school culture of belonging.Major Areas Of Responsibility/Specific DutiesDevelop and teach inspiring, engaging and relevant language arts lessons for gifted students Assess students using multiple measures and communicate proactively through multiple platforms with students and families about student progress. Maintain curriculum maps and course documentation. Dedication to ongoing mastery of their teaching, new learning and staying current with research and innovation in their content area, belonging and gifted education. Serving as an advisor to middle school students.Collaborate with colleagues and partners with families. Participate in co-curricular school activities and overnight trips.Attend consistently weekly faculty meetings and other required meetings and obligations.Value and uphold our core values of Kindness, Inclusion, Respect, and Responsibility. Other school-related responsibilities as assigned.QualificationsQualities & Qualifications:Bachelor’s Degree and/or relevant experience.Experience in gifted education, being a student advisor and leading overnight trips are a plus.Excellent cultural competency working with students and adults from diverse backgrounds.Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills.Strong communicator with excellent written and oral proficiency. Ability to work independently, collegially, and collaboratively. Positive team member.Demonstrate warmth and care with families, colleagues, and public.Proficient with use of technology in classroom and record keeping. Microsoft suite a plus. Embrace the use of new technology including generative AI as strong potential tools for learning.Understanding of the social-emotional development of early adolescents.Promoting our core values: Bobcats are Kind, Inclusive, Respectful and Responsible. Supportive of the school’s Diversity Commitment, in which we embrace both our commonalities and complex range of differences that enrich our school. Dedication to our mission, in which we inspire and nurture students of high intellectual potential Position DetailsManager: Director of the Middle SchoolCompensation: $63,190 – $123,550 (based on education and experience, 25-26 SY Salary Schedule)Position Classification: Exempt, Full Time; this position is benefit eligibleHours: 8am – 4pm, Tuesdays until 5pm. This role requires some commitments outside these hours including but not limited to school events and Middle School Trips.Benefits IncludeSick leaveMedical, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid 100% for employee only coverage)Employer paid Health Reimbursement AccountFlexible Spending Accounts403(b) Retirement Account, Pre-tax & Roth Options (eligible for employer contribution and employer match after one year of service).Life and AD&D InsuranceLong-Term Disability InsuranceProfessional development and training opportunitiesTo ApplyPlease submit a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, your resume, and complete all application questions on our Career Opportunities website. Open Window School does not sponsor employment visas.Please be prepared to provide three professional references if requested. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, feel free to reach out hr@ows.org. Applications should be submitted through the online system and not via email.Open Window School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, or other status legally protected by local, state, or federal law.