Position : Social Studies Teacher, Grade 7
Putnam Avenue Upper School

Putnam Avenue Upper School Community:
At the Putnam Avenue Upper School, we believe that all of our students can and will be successful in and out of school and beyond, no matter what their circumstances are. We believe that our students are headed towards the "Good Life." That is, we believe that our students will be college-ready and will become successful and contributing members of society with the best possible quality of life. In order to live the "Good Life," students will develop a sense of mastery of our core values of passion, pride, and ownership with balance and perseverance.

The Role:
The 7th grade social studies teacher at the Putnam Avenue Upper School will teach four sections of World Religion, Philosophy, and Government. The teacher will collaborate with the 7th grade teaching team and will facilitate an advisory for a small group of students.

The teacher is responsible for attending meetings, including social studies department and grade level team meetings; keeping accurate records and communicating with caregivers on a regular basis throughout the year; and performing other duties as requested by the Principal.

The Putnam Avenue Upper School is an innovative public middle school in the Cambridge Public School District. We are looking for a dynamic, committed teacher with strong content and pedagogical knowledge, solid classroom management skills, a deep commitment to social justice, anti-racism, and experience working in an urban school setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Teach four sections of "World Religion, Philosophy, and Government."
• Plan effective instruction and use appropriate instructional and questioning techniques.
• Assess student learning and adjust instruction appropriately.
• Collaborate with teachers across the district around best practices for teaching history, critical thinking, and literacy skills.
• Create a positive environment for student learning and engagement.
• Use technology to increase student learning and interest.
• Maintain appropriate standards of behavior, mutual respect, and safety.
• Communicate learning goals and high expectations to all students; strive to ensure equitable opportunities for student learning.
• Implement district-wide common units and assessments.

Your Skill Set:
As the incoming Social Studies Teacher you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university; Master's Degree preferred.
• Experience working with a diverse population of secondary school students is preferable.
• Ability to think creatively and constructively about program and curriculum.
• Experience using multiple teaching strategies, including ones to enhance student reading and writing performance.
• Willingness to collaborate with colleagues.
• Required Massachusetts Licensure: History, grades 5-8.

Cambridge Public Schools is committed to slowing and/or stopping the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as a condition of employment with Cambridge Public Schools, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than their first day of work. Written requests for either a religious exemption from this requirement based on sincerely held religious beliefs, or for a medical exemption based upon clear documentation from a medical provider should be submitted to the attention of the Chief Talent Officer.

How to Join Our Team:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.