Chewonki Semester School - Mathematics Teacher

The Chewonki Semester School seeks an inspiring and engaged educator with a passion for mathematics and the outdoors.

Chewonki Foundation is a year-round, nonprofit environmental education center based on a 400-acre peninsula in mid-coast Maine. We offer semester school for high school juniors, summer camps for boys and girls, co-ed wilderness expeditions for teens and adults, programs for independent and public school groups, and travelling natural history programs. Visit our web site at www.chewonki.org.

Chewonki Semester School is a unique semester-length school program of the Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset, Maine. Each fall and spring, we offer a small number of high school juniors and seniors the chance to live and work on a 400-acre saltwater peninsula with the goal of exploring the interrelationship between people and the natural world through challenging courses in natural science, environmental issues, ethics, art, history, mathematics, languages, literature and writing.

The community is small — approximately 40 students and 16 faculty members — and the application process is competitive. In addition to their studies, students work for several hours each afternoon on an organic farm, in the woodlot, or on maintenance and construction projects. The students who attend Chewonki are highly motivated. They enjoy hard work, both physical and intellectual, and they have the strong desire to contribute in some way to their world. Chewonki students generally return to their schools with increased self-confidence, an appreciation for the rewards and struggles of community living, a deeper sense of stewardship for the natural world, and a developing sense of ownership for their education. The intimate and residential nature of the Chewonki Semester School means that we all — faculty and students — get to know each other very well in the short time that we spend together.

We are now in our 50th semester and have worked with over 1700 students from more than 220 independent and public schools from throughout the United States.

Position Summary This math teacher will team with a second math instructor to cover all math courses each semester. As our students arrive with diverse math backgrounds, and their sending schools request various topics to be covered during their time here, it is imperative that this teacher commits him/herself to meeting students’ individual needs. Chewonki math is inherently creative, involving real world problem solving and connections between math and the natural world.

Responsibilities

• Teach 3 or more sections of math (Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus).
• Give extra help in math as needed.
• Live on the Chewonki campus and share meals with the community.
• Advise 3-4 students.
• Work with students for afternoon work program and on morning chores.
• Participate in rotating duty schedule on weeknights and weekends.
• “Parent” a cabin.
• Help lead field trips, weekend activities, wilderness trips, etc.
• Assume other responsibilities as needed.
• Contribute to the Chewonki community through participation of chores, committees and events.

Qualifications
A BA or BS degree (Mathematics preferred) and at least one year of classroom teaching experience. As important is a love for working with teenagers and a confidence in their abilities, enthusiasm for math and problem-solving, knowledge of teaching techniques, and flexibility. Candidates should love their subject and enjoy creating a dynamic learning environment for their students while demonstrating and teaching strong personal values. We expect that our math program matches the rigorous standards set by our member and sending schools. A favorable background check must be obtained prior to hire.

Salary and Benefits
Salary is in-line with that of other small northern New England boarding schools, and will be based largely on experience. Room and board is included as a requirement of living on campus. This is a full-time residential position on a mid-August to early June academic year schedule (~12 weeks vacation/year). Benefits include housing, meals, health insurance, life insurance, dental insurance, disability, TIAA-CREF retirement plan, and access to professional development funds.

To Apply – received by February 25, 2013
Please see www.chewonki.org for more information about Chewonki and submit the following: cover letter explaining your interest (including academic subjects), resume, and a one page statement of educational philosophy or writing sample to the address below or by fax or email (single file electronic submission preferred). References will be requested at time of interview.

Human Resources
Chewonki Foundation, Inc
485 Chewonki Neck Road
Wiscasset, Maine 04578
hr@chewonki.org
207-882-9564 (confidential fax)