Address
Form of workOverview
The UWC-USA program - a two-year experience that integrates our academic, UWC CAS, and residential curricula - prepares students to serve as catalysts for greater unity, peace and sustainability in the world. We support students in the practice of our mission during their two years on campus and challenge them to live our mission for a lifetime.
IB teachers contribute to the school's mission across our full program: they teach academic courses and assume related responsibilities; they sponsor signature program activities and/or basecamp teams; they lead expeditionary outings; and they support residential life in formal and informal ways. Teachers fulfills their responsibilities in accord with the UWC mission and values as well as the school's strategic plan, foundational documents, IBDP authorization, Independent Schools of the Southwest (ISAS) accreditation, and best practices in teaching and learning.
All teachers are employed on a 10-month agreement that runs from 1 August to 31 May and paid over the course of 12 months. Their summer and winter holiday travel plans should not interfere with their professional obligations at the beginning of August, mid-December, early January, and late May.
This is a temporary position set to end in late May 2024. There is a possibility that it could be extended to the 2024-2025 academic year.
Position Responsibilities
Academic Responsibilities
IB Teaching: Teachers carry 4-5 IB courses/1-3 class "preps" throughout the year. Teachers with heavier loads see a reduction in responsibilities in other program areas, while teachers with lighter loads are asked to take on more responsibilities in other program areas.
Course Content and Assessment: Teachers are responsible for covering the required course content and assessing student performance based upon a standard set of requirements and criteria provided by the IB as laid out in the relevant IB Subject Guide(s).
Extended Essays: Teachers are expected to supervise Extended Essays (EE). The EEs are research topics developed by students which result in an essay of approximately 4,000 words and involving four to six hours of work for the supervisor per EE. There are three mandatory reflection sessions that must be completed. Teachers may be asked to supervise EEs in subjects that they do not teach if there are not any in their given subject.
Grades and Reports: Teachers compile grades and write a narrative report for each student in their classes at designated times of the year. Teachers track grades and attendance using PowerSchool, and use the affiliated LMS Schoology as the learning platform.
Examination oversight and invigilation: During examinations teachers are expected to invigilate their own exams and, during the IB examinations in May, full-time teachers are expected to invigilate approximately 12 hours of exams.
References and Recommendations: Teachers write letters of recommendation to colleges and universities on behalf of their students, at the student's request.
Other Program Responsibilities
Advising: Teachers serve as official advisors to a group of 7-8 students.
UWC CAS-Signature Programs: Teachers sponsor activities that fulfill student requirements across our Arts and Culture, Community Engagement, and Wilderness (Outdoor Adventure) programs. Sponsorship includes activity design and assessment against a standard set of learning outcomes.
Southwest Studies and Project Week: Southwest Studies and Project Week are week-long educational expeditions that take place in the fall and spring, respectively. Teachers are expected to lead one expedition per year and participate in scheduled expeditionary preparations.
Residential Life: Teachers support basecamp teams, serve on dorm teams and informally contribute to the residential experience of students with their active presence on campus (e.g., sharing meals with students in the dining hall, joining intramural teams, etc.).
Meetings/Assemblies/special events: Teachers attend all-employee meetings, all-faculty meetings, IB teacher meetings, department meetings, and school assemblies. Teachers are also asked to attend a good balance of special events throughout the year.
Professional Development: All teachers participate in IB workshops specific to their discipline on a regular basis to stay current on curricular developments. Teachers new to the IB are expected to participate in a Category 1 workshop after they have been hired, at UWC USA's expense, most likely through UWC-USA's own summer IB workshops. Additionally, teachers are expected to participate in internal and external professional development related to their program responsibilities and the UWC-USA mission more broadly.
Leadership: In keeping with our basecamp ethos, teachers are asked to practice exemplary self- and peer-leadership while contributing leadership at the institutional level in support of the UWC mission. Examples of leadership at the institutional level include but are not limited to:
• Actively participating and contributing to committee or task force assignments, providing leadership in campus-wide events or initiatives, strategic planning efforts, in the experiential education program, the dorms, dining hall and/or in physical plant initiatives.
• Initiating strategic discussions and sharing thoughtful and innovative ideas with their co-workers for carrying out the UWC mission and successfully completing day to day work assignments.
• Demonstrating a growth mindset by believing and acknowledging that intelligence, skills, learning and creativity can all grow with time and experience.
• In all interactions, upholding the UWC mission and values, and creating an environment that promotes and values diversity, equity and inclusion.
This position description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position, and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign and direct the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or similar level of difficulty.
