Middle School Social Studies - Grade 8

University School of Nashville

Social Studies Teacher, Grade 8

August 2024

University School of Nashville (USN) seeks a creative, collaborative, and experienced educator to teach Social Studies and be part of an outstanding academic and advising team in grade eight.  The teacher will join a well-established and talented Middle School Social Studies faculty and report to the Head of Middle School and History Department Chair. 

The Middle School Social Studies curriculum provides an overview of various regions of the world and the United States.  Using proven and innovative instructional methods, teachers challenge students to develop their understanding of culture, geography, history, religion, government, and people, both from a historical and current-day perspective.  The middle and high School Social Studies/history teachers work closely as a department to ensure a developmentally appropriate scope and sequence of courses.

The eighth-grade curriculum focuses on the creation and expansion of the United States from its inception in the late 1700s into the 20th century with an emphasis on civics.  In every unit of study, the primary goal is to help students recognize how the present is shaped by the past through the exploration of primary and secondary sources, experiential learning opportunities, and student-centered projects. Highlights of this curriculum include the Change Project, an opportunity for students to put their civic engagement knowledge to work in the USN community, and the research paper. Students should leave this course with deeper appreciation for how people, ideas, and actions have and continue to shape the American landscape.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Licensure and/or bachelor's degree in history or a related field; graduate degree preferred

• Relevant teaching experience

• Extensive knowledge of and experience working with Middle School-aged students

• Experience with a diverse school community with a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces 

• Experience with project-based learning or cross-curriculum integration

• Ability to teach a range of learning levels and styles

• A love for Middle School students 

Skills and Abilities:

• Work effectively with students of varying abilities and learning styles

• Have a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning in a team approach

• Communicate clearly and effectively with students, colleagues, and other members of the school community, both verbally and in writing

• Work collaboratively with students, colleagues, and other members of the school community 

• Be knowledgeable of research on how implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity, and socioeconomic class can shape curricula and pedagogy, classroom culture, and student outcomes.

• Display an eagerness to learn, innovate, and the ability to adapt to change

• Integrate technology into the curriculum and deliver classes using technology

• Demonstrate integrity at all times, maintain confidentiality as needed, and maintain a positive and professional demeanor

The School

University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of over 1,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School, USN's predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville. 

USN's midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings over 108 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It's a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

In the USN community, students expect much of each other, and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their work and we offer many opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants.

Please be prepared to upload the following items through USN's online application for this position:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume