The Girls’ Middle School

Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, educating the diverse middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought. GMS educates girls* during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages girls to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS: www.girlsms.org and https://youtu.be/SatUBcjwkxA?feature=shared

*At GMS, “girls” refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.

Mission

The Girls’ Middle School educates girls at a crucial time in life. We create an inclusive environment where academic growth is nourished. A GMS girl discovers her strengths and expresses her voice while respecting the contributions of others.

Primary Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach four sections of 7th Grade Computer Science and three sections of 8th Grade Computer Science

• Develop inclusive classroom procedures and practices to optimize learning for all students

• Develop and document curriculum that involves exploration, inquiry, and hands-on learning

• Differentiate assignments and classroom practices to provide for student choice and agency, multiple levels of challenge, various learning modalities, and to accommodate learning differences within the context of collaborative learning

• Create authentic assessments that are rooted in the course learning objectives, provide multiple ways to demonstrate engagement and understanding, and communicate expectations clearly to students

• Hold Office Hours daily to meet with students individually and/or in groups

• Communicate curriculum and expectations to parents via periodic curriculum updates and showcase events such as Back to School Night and Academic Fair

• Respond to family communications in a timely manner, typically within one or two school days

• Write informal narrative reports for Fall Snapshots and Spring Check-Ins (as agreed upon with the Assistant Head of School; not to exceed one grade-level worth of reports at any given time)

• Write formal First and Second Semester Progress Reports that make up the student cumulative file (as agreed upon with the Assistant Head of School; not to exceed one grade-level worth of reports at any given time

• Conduct Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences

7th Period and Student Supervision Responsibilities

• Assemblies: attend and supervise students

• Electives: each semester, teach an elective class that meets approximately once per week

• Advisory: serve as an advisor

• Supervise Recess or Lunch (dependent on classroom assignments)

Grade Level and Special Activities

• Start-of-Year Grade Level Activities: coordinate with the administration and grade level team to plan and carry out activities such as New Student Orientation, grade level community-building activities/trips

• Proctor MAP Growth Assessments

• Fall and Spring Intersession weeks: teach a course or chaperone a grade-level trip

• Grade Level Field Trips: attend and chaperone (day and/or overnight) as needed

• Grade Level-specific Programs or Events (e.g. 6th New Family Picnic, 7th Entrepreneurial, 8th Personal Odyssey): attend and support

• End-of-Year Activities: coordinate with the administration and grade-level team to plan and carry out grade-level activities

• Graduation: attend and speak for students

Staff and Faculty Meetings and Professional Development

• Participate in weekly staff check-ins/meetings and faculty, grade-level, and department meetings

• Participate in August Pre-Service, June Post-Service, and Faculty/Staff Professional Development throughout the year

• Engage in other professional development throughout the year, including: membership in professional organizations, reading articles/books, observing classes, attending workshops or conferences, taking classes, planning/revising curriculum, developing effective assessment tools, participating on a committee for a school or strategic initiative, etc.

• Support the Administrative and Community Building Activities of the School

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