General Science Teacher, Upper School

Employment Terms:F/T, 10-Month Contract 

Start Date: August 2024

Upper Canada College (UCC) is focused on making the world a more just and inclusive place through dialogue and teamwork. With a commitment to equity and fairness, students learn that what makes us different as individuals makes us stronger as a community. A rigorous academic program is supported by accomplished faculty, exceptional co-curricular programming, and state-of-the-art facilities. The UCC experience is underpinned by five core values: learning, pluralism, service, community, and well-being.  Among its strategic goals is UCC’s ambition to become more diverse and inclusive. This is supported by a recognition that no learning community is whole without the inclusion and amplification of multiple voices; UCC is committed to fostering belonging, striving for jus­­tice and peace among all people, and addressing systemic and structural forms of oppression.

Position Overview:

Upper School teachers educate students in grades 8 to 12. They demonstrate passion and diligence in their core subjects and interdisciplinary learning, across the Humanities, Sciences, Languages, Physical Education, the Arts, English, Design and Mathematics. Their role involves planning, reviewing and revising curriculum as part of course teams, as well as implementing approaches to teaching in learning that are student-centered and skills-based.

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic, curious and flexible General Science Teacher for our Upper SchoolScience Department to teach a full-time course load. The successful candidate will have demonstrated a pattern of innovation, collaboration and engagement in teaching, and share an eagerness to work with a variety of learners and diverse student body. In addition, they will share an interest in real-world and transformative learning experiences, as well as demonstrate cultural competency and an ability to work in a collegial manner.

Responsibilities:         

Academic

• Prepare and implement course objectives, lesson plans, outlines and assessment pieces for course of study following IB and College guidelines;
• Employ best practices for teaching students at the high school level, including inquiry and problem-based learning, scaffolding, book-ending, frequent review and feedback, and differentiated instruction;
• Create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere in the classroom;
• Establish a positive and aspiring classroom environment that best enables a diverse group of students to flourish, and recognizes the differing needs of students on the basis of their linguistic, historical, cultural and socio-economic experiences;
• Communicate regularly on student progress with faculty, administrators and parents;
• Use technology in the classroom to enhance learning and support student organization and planning;
• Collaboratively create engaging assessments to evaluate students’ progress, and provide meaningful feedback to students, in their journey towards continuous growth;
• Keep up to date with developments in subject area, teaching resources and strategies and make relevant changes to instructional plans and activities;
• Participate in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences, assemblies and various professional development opportunities.

Advising

• Actively engage with students in their advising group in order to know them and support their growth in academics, co-curricular and social emotional wellbeing;
• Know the academic, physical and personal profiles of each student in the advising group;
• Emulate the values of the College-Learning, Community, Wellbeing, Service and Pluralism;
• Be an effective link between the school and families on both academic and non-academic matters by carrying out Adviser duties;
• Meet with advisees during advising sessions and deliver the advising curriculum;
• Write advising comments on reports and communicate formally and informally with parents of advisees in person, email and via telephone.

 Co-Curricular

• Lead with skill, passion and enthusiasm, identified activities in our vast co-curricular program, including athletics (coaching expertise in basketball, soccer, hockey, volleyball, baseball), the arts, clubs and publications;
• Actively participate in the life of the school including, but not limited to graduation, school dances and other extracurricular community events as required.

Experience, Knowledge and Competencies:

• University degree in science required;
• Relevant teaching or related work experience;
• Experience with the MYP and/or International Baccalaureate program an asset;
• Strong knowledge of educational pedagogies with nuanced thinking about the educational and instructional program including but not limited to Anti-Oppressive, Anti-Racist and Decolonizing Pedagogy an asset;
• Commitment to including diversity in lessons, and the contributions of BIPOC and 2SLQBTQ+ people in science;
• Ability to offer MYP science and a DP science subject (preferably chemistry or physics);
• Collaborative, energetic disposition with demonstrated creativity and passion for working with students;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop strong professional relationships with students, colleagues, administration and parents;
• Exemplary communication, problem solving, negotiation and mediation skills;
• Willingness to adapt and change based on the unique and diverse needs of the students;
• Commitment to honesty, justice, fairness and equity;
• Concern for the whole student, not just academics;
• Effective team member;
• Strong attention to detail, organization and planning;
• Invest in personal development and strive to grow professionally;
• Ability to recognize individual learning styles and the characteristics of learners;
• Display  humility and empathy, and recognize their ability to positively influence change;
• Embraces the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in their local and global communities;
• Commitment to a learning and working environment that is safe, healthy, meaningful, engaging and supportive;
• Ability to be an effective communicator in written and verbal communication to families
• Demonstrated  ability to effectively work to deadlines;
• Committed to teamwork, collaboration, mutual respect and a fundamental belief in our vision, mission and values.
  

What We Offer: 

• Opportunities for professional development to support life-long learning of skills and knowledge;
• Floating holidays that recognizes our employees diverse religious and cultural practices; offers three paid floating holidays per year instead of three statutory public holidays of their choosing.
• Excellent mental health, medical and dental benefit plans (including Health Care and Lifestyle Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance programme and onsite wellbeing programming;
• Paid volunteer time off to become involved in you’re communities, lending  voluntary support to programs; 
• Ongoing community events and employee social events throughout the academic year;
• Fabulous collaborative team members and colleagues;
• Generous pension / retirement plan and paid time off plans: vacation / holidays, personal emergency leave, personal leave, parental leave top-up and flexible self-funded leaves;
• Free on campus parking;
• Opportunity for casual dress days.

UCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, encouraging applications from all

qualified individuals including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons.  UCC embraces pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives. If you are contacted regarding a UCC opportunity, please advise if you require any accommodations.

Pleaseapply online by creating a “Teachers” profile account by March 25, 2024, 2:00pm. We thank all candidates in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview.  

To learn more about us please visit our site at www.ucc.on.ca