Upper School English Teacher Grades 7-9

The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational and developmental needs of boys.

Position Summary

Fessenden seeks a creative, reflective, and collaborative Upper School English Teacher to teach boys in Grades 7–9. This educator will inspire a love of reading, writing, and critical thinking while supporting boys’ academic growth, character development, and identity formation during these pivotal years. At Fessenden, we strive to have each classroom foster an inclusive and equitable environment that reflects the School’s mission and core values of honesty, compassion, and respect.

The role involves teaching 4 classes of 12 to 15 boys, collaborating with grade-level teams, and advising a small group of students. Strong candidates will bring deep knowledge of middle school literature, an appreciation for boys’ development, and a commitment to inclusive and engaging classroom practice.

Schedule:

School year is August 31, 2026 – June 15, 2027;
Orientation will take place on August 24 and 25, 2026. The position is Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Teach and Inspire:

• Teach Upper School English curriculum (Grades 7–9), including literature, writing, grammar, and discussion-based analysis, using developmentally appropriate texts and strategies.
• Create a dynamic classroom environment where boys feel challenged, supported, and encouraged to take intellectual risks.
• Design and implement engaging English lessons that bring literature, language, and writing to life, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of reading.

Build Relationships:

• Build meaningful relationships with students that inspire confidence, curiosity, and perseverance as readers, writers, and thinkers.
• Create a supportive and structured learning environment where all students feel known, valued, and respected.

Integrate Core Values:

• Actively teach and model the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect, supporting students’ academic growth and character development.

Differentiated Instruction:

• Utilize varied instructional strategies and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
• Use formative and summative assessments to guide instruction, provide feedback, and evaluate student progress.
• Design writing assignments, projects, and discussions that accommodate a range of abilities, interests, and learning profiles.

Innovate and Collaborate:

• Incorporate project-based learning (PBL), educational technology, and interdisciplinary connections to create an engaging and relevant English classroom experience.
• Collaborate with colleagues across grade levels, departments, and student support services to strengthen curriculum and instructional practice.

Promote Inclusion:

• Integrate diverse voices, perspectives, and culturally responsive practices into literature selection, writing, and classroom dialogue.
• Foster an inclusive classroom culture where all students feel represented and empowered to share their ideas.

Mentor and Advise:

• Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional development, goal-setting, and academic growth throughout their Upper School experience.

Contribute to Community:

• Actively participate in the life of the school by attending meetings, grade-level activities, and community events.
• Support co-curricular and extracurricular programs, including coaching athletics, facilitating clubs, or participating in grade-level trips.

Professional Development:

• Engage in professional development opportunities provided by the School and beyond, staying current with best practices in English instruction, literacy education, and boys’ learning.
• Pursue professional development opportunities provided by the school and beyond, staying abreast of best practices in…