9th Grade Science Teacher

Who We Are:

Heights Philadelphia is a new kind of organization, an Economic Mobility Catalyst. Heights is committed to breaking the cycle of generational poverty in Philadelphia by creating pathways to educational and workforce success for low-income, Black and Brown, and first-generation-to-college students. These pathways are the foundation of a more equitable and prosperous future for the city.

Heights serves more than 3,000 students from middle school to career with staff embedded in 23 schools across the School District of Philadelphia and partnerships with 13 colleges and universities. Through college and career advising, industry-aligned programming, transformative partnerships, and a community of support, Heights transforms opportunities for success.

About this Role:

Heights Philadelphia offers a Middle Grades Bridge summer program which serves students in rising 7th-rising 9th grade. Programming for rising 9th graders will specifically focus on the transition to high school. The program emphasizes time management, study skills, goal setting, and college readiness. The 9th grade Science Teacher will work in partnership with summer staff to deliver rigorous and engaging summer programming that exposes students to Biology and other science content students will learn about during their first year in high school. The 9th grade Science Teacher will be responsible for developing lesson plans that will lay the foundation for more complex studies later in high school. The Science Teacher will leave the program with new skills and ideas to apply to future classrooms or jobs. All teachers will be allotted up to 8 hours of remote preparation and planning time between June 9th-June 27th.

You’ll be responsible for:

Planning and leading Science classes for groups of approximately 25 rising 9th grade students that incorporate Heights routines and instructional best practices.
Tracking student attendance daily
Tracking student classwork achievement
Supporting breakfast and/or lunch on a rotating basis
Holding office hours for students at least once weekly
Planning field trips and/or incorporating guest speakers
Coordinating and supporting student execution of final capstone project
Utilizing classroom management strategies throughout the day
Sharing student work weekly and maintain inviting and inclusive classroom
Forming and maintaining relationships with students’ families, including phone calls and conferences
Participating in ongoing professional development and weekly staff meetings in the spirit of continuous improvement; incorporate feedback given into lessons.
Contributing writings, pictures, etc to weekly family newsletter
Contributing to student progress reports and End of Summer report
Promoting high expectations of both staff and students
Creating substitute plans in the event of your absence

About you:

Bachelor’s Degree and instructional certification
Experience teaching middle or high school science content
Familiarity with the Pennsylvania academic standards for Science
Experience working with youth and understanding of trauma informed teaching practices required
Passionate about making a difference in the academic outcomes of underserved students
Punctual, present, and responsible
Maintains open and consistent communication
Demonstrate organizational and technology skills
Ability to work and contribute to a team
Ability to seek resources and solutions to effectively solve problems
Positive role model
Receptiveness to feedback and a desire to continuously improve
Dedicated to providing a safe, academically enriching, and engaging experience
A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement
A belief that all students should be held to high academic standards

Heights employees:

Must meet expectations to report in-person on a schedule determined by their direct manager and/or the Vice President of the team.
Must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter.
Strong orientation to customer service, particularly with regard to students, partners and colleagues
Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office and related applications, as well as use of general office equipment (phones, computers, copiers, etc)
Fluency in the use of data and data systems. Maintains appropriate engagement with data entry, reporting and review.
Must adhere to COVID safety guidelines as established by Heights and/or its partners.
Office-based staff should be mindful of the organization’s strong recommendation that staff maintain up to date with COVID vaccination and boosters.
Site-based staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit to any COVID testing or other health screenings as required by the Department of Human Services and/or the School District of Philadelphia.
Must be able to work in a busy, often complex work environment that is generally climate controlled.
Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds unassisted on an occasional basis.
Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
Access to reliable transportation required