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Job Description
SEATTLE ACADEMY
is a dynamic community that challenges students to question, imagine, and create in order to contribute boldly to a changing world. This mission comes alive in our urban school setting, where we serve grades 6-12 in a vibrant, independent school environment. Our diverse faculty is exceptionally qualified, strong academically, and combines rich life experience with passion for their disciplines. Our teaching philosophy is guided by our mission and core principles of Culture of Performance, College and Life, Know the Kid, and Inclusive Community. Seattle Academy seeks a Long-Term Substitute Integrated Humanities Teacher to support the Upper School Options Program during the 2026-27 school year. This position involves teaching integrated Humanities courses that combine English and History. The teacher will use thematic, inquiry-driven approaches that emphasize reading, writing, discussion, research, and historical thinking while integrating the skills of both disciplines. Instruction takes place in a small-group instructional setting, allowing for close relationships, clear expectations, and frequent, responsive feedback while maintaining alignment with Upper School English and History academic standards. The ideal candidate will provide continuity, structure, and relational consistency for students while working closely with Options Program colleagues and Upper School leadership. About the Options Program The Options Program is a small-group learning model embedded within the SAAS Upper School, serving students in grades 9-12 in core academic courses with class sizes of 6-10 students. The program is designed for academically capable students for whom a traditional classroom environment has not been effective and focuses on rebuilding confidence as learners while maintaining high academic expectations with high support. Students take small-group courses in core academic subjects such as English, History, and Math, while completing the remainder of their schedule through SAAS's broad elective offerings.
The program emphasizes structured flexibility:
faculty intentionally adjust pacing and workload while maintaining clear routines, accountability, and consistent expectations. Executive functioning and social-emotional skills are explicitly taught and reinforced within academic coursework, with particular attention to planning, pacing, and work production. Instruction is designed to make learning processes visible and manageable within a predictable, well-designed environment. Students in the Options Program also choose to participate in athletics, arts, outdoor programs, and clubs within the broader SAAS community. Teaching Load and Responsibilities This is a full-time, long-term substitute teaching position that will likely include a teaching load of five sections. The role typically includes teaching English and History courses across two grade levels (for example, English 9, History 9, English 10, and History 10). Depending on program needs, the fifth section may be a study skills or executive functioning-focused course aligned with the goals of the Options Program. Specific teaching assignments are determined based on program needs and faculty expertise. The first trimester will include a period of intentional transition, during which the long-term substitute teacher will build relationships with students, become familiar with classroom routines and curriculum, and collaborate closely with the teacher they are covering. The substitute teacher will then assume primary teaching responsibilities for the remainder of the school year. Key Responsibilities Deliver and, as needed, adapt integrated Humanities curriculum aligned with Upper School standards and program learning goals Use, adapt, and contribute to curriculum that intentionally integrates reading, writing, historical thinking, and interdisciplinary inquiry Apply instructional strategies that embed executive functioning skill development (e.g., planning, organization, task initiation, revision, and reflection) directly into academic coursework Use formative and summative assessment practices to provide timely, actionable feedback Differentiate instruction and pacing to meet a range of learning needs while maintaining academic rigor Foster critical thinking, analysis, and discussion through student-centered learning experiences Collaborate with Options Program colleagues and Upper School faculty to ensure curricular coherence and shared expectations Communicate clearly and consistently with students, families, and colleagues Qualifications 3-5 years of Upper School teaching experience preferred Experience teaching English, History, or integrated Humanities courses Undergraduate degree required; master's degree preferred Key characteristics for the person in this position include: A growth mindset with a passion for interdisciplinary Humanities instruction and an engaging learning environment Desire, interest, and enthusiasm for working with upper school-aged students Experience designing integrated, thematic, or project-based curriculum with clear learning goals and assessment criteria A willingness to incorporate social-emotional learning competencies (social awareness, relationship skills, self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making) into daily instructional practice Strong organizational and communication abilities Sound judgment, adaptability, and reflective practice Ability to work effectively with teachers, parents, students, and administrative teams Experience with classroom management grounded in trust, clarity, and consistency A creative and imaginative approach to problem-solving This role is well suited to educators who find meaning in the slow, relational work of helping adolescents build confidence in themselves as learners, and who stay invested even when that work gets nonlinear. How to
Apply:
SAAS offers an annual salary range of $73,500 - $90,500, depending on experience, for the long-term sub role, and an excellent benefit package following 90 days of employment. View our Faculty Benefits here. Apply Online Here Seattle Academy provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws.
