We are looking for skilled and collaborative educators with the passion, commitment and ability to help each of our students learn deeply and feel seen, heard and valued.
The ideal candidate for any teaching position at Hawken School Upper School:
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Builds strong, supportive relationships with students and colleagues
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Thrives on a team
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Leans into all opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and with students
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Is reflective and thoughtful about their practice, seeks feedback, and is excited to grow as a teacher and curriculum designer
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Designs and facilitates learning in a way that supports students with learning deeply and sharing their learning through high-quality work
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Has experience working in a diverse community and is committed to the ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice
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Creates learning experiences for and with students that students remember
THE POSITION
Hawken Upper School is seeking a full-time SCIENCE TEACHER for the 2026-2027 school year. The ideal candidate will be able to teach at least two science disciplines, with preference given to candidates who can teach 9th grade physics or 10th grade chemistry in addition to one other discipline, such as AP-level environmental science or biology. We are seeking an experienced designer and facilitator of inquiry-rich, hands-on learning in the science classroom who will be excited to co-design learning experiences that go beyond the classroom too, especially as part of our Intensives program.
Candidates should be eager to work in a collaborative team-based environment with thoughtful individuals committed to doing school differently–moving away from factory-model schooling towards learning without walls/limits; centering student voice/choice over standardization; and centering real learning for a real purpose and the acquisition of durable/transferrable skills over content coverage. The ideal candidate is passionate about science, about developing their craft, and about all aspects of collaborating with high school students and colleagues.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
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Teach at least two science disciplines; preference given to candidates who can teach 9th grade physics course or 10th grade chemistry, in addition to one other discipline, such as AP environmental science or biology
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Create science-themed Intensives – all-day, 3-week classes in December and/or May focused on one topic or challenge (e.g., Hawken MD: Disease and Diagnosis, Forensic Files, Marine Biology, Astronomy)
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Collaborate with colleagues to design and refine curricula to make learning more purposeful, project-based, connected to students interests and aspirations, and connected to the world beyond the classroom
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Coach or lead a co-curricular activity within Hawken Upper School (e.g., preparing students for national-scale competitions such as Science Olympiad and robotics competitions, speech and debate, coaching a sport, being faculty advisor to an affinity group, etc.)
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Serve as an advisor/wayfinder to a group of 9-12 students within our advisory/wayfinding system
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Other duties in service of supporting student learning, belonging, and thriving at Hawken as assigned by the Upper School Director
Because Hawken believes in supporting teachers’ passions, in deepening their expertise, and in fueling their spirit of innovation, we provide substantive professional development opportunities that lead to the kinds of innovation and excellence that are a hallmark of our community.
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have experience teaching (3+ years preferred), plus either an undergraduate or graduate degree in a science-related field or experience working in a STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, or medicine) field.
THE SCHOOL
Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,550 students from toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland provide a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.
This position is for our Upper School, located in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland and situated on over 300 acres featuring sprawling lawns, wooded trails, and both modern and historic buildings. To execute the school’s forward-focused missions, Stirn Hall - Hawken’s state-of-the-art academic building - offers expansive classroom space and common spaces, fabrication and media labs, a science wing, a learning commons, a writing center, and more.
The adjacent building known as the White House serves as the primary dining facility at Hawken’s Gates Mills campus and is a stunning reminder of Hawken’s historic charm.
The Gates Mills campus also features an expansive athletic complex that includes two gymnasiums, one of the best competitive swimming pools in Ohio, a weight room, and a wrestling room. Surrounding grounds include eight tennis courts, a stadium, a track, artificial turf fields, and a high and low ropes course with 15 separate challenges.
INTERESTED?
Please submit an employment application through
this link. Address your cover letter to Matt Simon, Director of the Upper School.
Hawken School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.