Upper School Science Teacher (7-12)

Do you want to grow your career in American Classical Education, helping students to live responsible, courageous, and virtuous lives?

Ascent Classical Academies are dedicated to the intellectual and moral betterment of students and encourage teachers to take their own moral and intellectual improvement seriously as part of a supportive and excellence-driven culture. At Ascent Classical Academy charter schools, well-educated and articulate faculty utilize direct instruction to convey real knowledge to students using traditional teaching methods. Teachers enjoy a wide array of resources as they create their own lessons within the content-rich curriculum to engage students in a positive and virtue-imbued learning experience in the liberal arts.

Science is one of the most tangible ways for our students to experience wonder in the classroom. Through the study of scientific topics, students learn how to observe the universe and investigate the phenomena they observe. They practice critical questioning and reasoning through collecting data, building inferences, testing hypotheses, and applying theories and principles already discovered. In a classical classroom, biology, chemistry, and physics are valued as means of understanding and marveling at nature. In tandem with our virtue of wonder, our students are shaped by science into thoughtful human beings who examine, question, and integrate prior knowledge into their encounter with the unknown. It is our hope that our students find within the study of science a miniature portrait of the power of human reason when applied to the natural world.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Create a safe classroom environment for all students to learn and reach their fullest potential.
• Create thoughtful and well-planned lessons while adhering to the curriculum.
• Maintain an orderly classroom.
• Provide timely and meaningful evaluation/correction of student work.
• Engage students utilizing the Socratic method.
• Lead students through intelligence, charisma, humor, moral integrity, and example.
• Perform additional assigned campus duties.
• Read, know, and support the philosophy, policies, procedures, and other pertinent school data as published in the most current Faculty Handbook and most current Family Handbook.
• Follow school policies and procedures, including the Emergency Response Plan, to ensure the safety and security of students
• Provide reasonable assistance to students in need of individual help; assist students to make up work after approved absences.
• Communicate regularly and as needed with parents.
• Initiate parent-teacher conferences and respond to parental inquiries by the end of the next school day.
• Attend Open Houses, special school events (e.g., concerts, plays, presentations), and all staff meetings.
• Attend all Ascent professional development opportunities, including New Faculty Orientation and campus-level PD sessions.
• Support and enforce the school dress and behavior codes and make reasonable efforts to promote the orderly behavior of all students in the school, on the grounds, and at off-campus school activities.
• Keep accurate records and make reports as required by the Head of School/designate.
• Evaluate and document the student’s day-to-day work; keep grade book up-to-date, monitor and inform parents of any deficiencies (mid-quarter,) and prepare the quarterly grade reports.
• Attend and participate in review meetings with the Headmaster/designate.
• Demonstrate behavior that indicates he/she is an active member of the community of learners and continues to pursue professional growth by taking graduate courses and/or attending seminars and workshops related to the profession.
• Pursue excellence in teaching and continue to develop knowledge of the great ideas and works of Western Civilization.
• Maintain regular, punctual attendance. Maintain a professional appearance and adhere to relevant health & safety procedures.

Qualified candidates will have a strong background in the subject matter, demonstrate high moral character, and embrace the virtues of a democratic society. The successful candidate will also foster professional friendships with faculty and staff, seek collaborative relationships with parents, and mentor students in the pursuit of their own flourishing.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Eligibility to work in the United States
• After an offer is accepted, a satisfactory background check as required by state law and the South Carolina Department of Education
• Dedication to the value of a rigorous liberal arts education
• Loyalty to the school and ACA’s mission and vision
• Commitment to model moral character in line with the school’s core virtues and the pursuit of the Good, True, and Beautiful
• Adherence to all ACA policies, including but not limited to the Employee Handbook, Family Handbook, and all applicable school and board policies.

Ascent Classical Academy schools receive waivers from typical teacher licensing requirements. Thus, a teaching license is neither required nor preferred. Even with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject taught, general education grammar school teachers may be required to take state-required elementary education content exams in math, reading, social studies, and/or science within six months of beginning employment.

Desired Start Date: July 2024

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Benefits Available:

• Competitive compensation package including performance pay and stipends available
• Employee-only coverage for group medical, dental, and vision plan; dependent coverage available for full-time employees
• Health savings account with employer contributions for full-time employees
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance plans
• Retirement investment account with a 5% employer match
• Paid time off for employees and dependents including qualifying events under the Family Medical Leave Act
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Free employee benefits and healthcare guidance
• Robust teacher training and development