Instructor of Spanish, Durham Campus

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The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) invites applications for two Instructor of Spanish positions at its campus in Durham, North Carolina. One position is a 10-month, permanent-track appointment with full benefits through the State of North Carolina. The other position is a temporary, part-time position with a fall- and spring-semester assignment, 25 hours/week, FLSA Exempt. The anticipated appointment period for the part-time position is 8/1/2024 - 12/20/2024 and 1/31/2025 - 5/30/2025. Both positions report to the Chair of Humanities, NCSSM-Durham, and are responsible for providing instruction in Spanish.

Founded in 1980, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a state-supported residential and online high school for students who have demonstrated exceptional talent or interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Since the school’s inception, the humanities and fine arts have been an integral part of an NCSSM education and have played a key role in helping the institution fulfill its mission to cultivate a new generation of informed, empathetic, engaged, and ethical citizens and leaders.

The NCSSM-Durham Humanities Department offers courses in five World Languages (Chinese, French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish), American Studies, and a broad range of English and interdisciplinary Humanities courses. Offerings in our Fine Arts program include studio and performance courses in the visual arts, music, and drama. Our program also includes student- and faculty-led seminars and independent studies. 

Description of Duties:

Full-time permanent position: The expected teaching assignment for the full-time position is three in-person, residential course sections in Spanish per semester and two courses during our school’s January-Term. The semester-long courses will include various levels of Spanish language and culture courses. A successful candidate may in the future have opportunities to teach senior Interdisciplinary Humanities courses in areas related to their expertise and interests. The teaching assignment will likely include multiple course preps. 

Responsibilities for the full-time permanent position include:

• Develop and communicate to students clear course objectives and goals;

• Plan and develop an instructional program that helps students assimilate specific course content and skills;

• Hold office hours and tutorial sessions as outlined by the Department of Humanities;

• Regularly monitor and evaluate students’ progress, providing them with resources and feedback on their performance;

• Structure and manage an environment conducive to learning;

• Model for students responsibility to self and others;

• Follow the school’s philosophy, policies, and procedures;

• Participate in departmental, faculty, and staff meetings;

• Serve on departmental, faculty, and school-wide standing committees;

• Write recommendations for as many as 15 students each year, as requested;

• Serve as a January-Term sponsor;

• Participate in professional development and personal intellectual growth activities;

• Participate in one or more of the following activities:

  • Provide professional service and engagement in the field;

  • Assist students with special projects, independent and individual study, and seminar-based studies;

  • Participate in the NCSSM admissions process by recruiting, selecting, and advising prospective students;

  • Participate in NCSSM alumni activities;

  • Provide assistance for school-sponsored programs and extracurricular activities.

Part-time temporary position: The expected teaching assignment for the part-time position is two in-person, residential courses sections of Spanish for the fall and spring terms. The anticipated appointment period is 8/1/2024 - 12/20/2024 and 1/31/2025 - 5/30/2025. The teaching assignment will likely include only one course prep.

Responsibilities for the part-time temporary position include:

• Develop and communicate to students clear course objectives and goals;

• Plan and develop an instructional program that helps students assimilate specific course content and skills;

• Hold office hours and tutorial sessions as outlined by the Department of Humanities;

• Regularly monitor and evaluate students’ progress, providing them with resources and feedback on their performance;

• Structure and manage an environment conducive to learning;

• Model for students responsibility to self and others;

• Follow the school’s philosophy, policies, and procedures;

• Participate in departmental, faculty, and staff meetings;

• Participate in professional development and personal intellectual growth activities;

NCSSM’s curriculum in Spanish includes various levels of Spanish language and culture courses. A successful candidate will be able to teach a range of courses in Spanish, from introductory through advanced levels of the language, using the communicative approach, and will be able to develop multi-level, proficiency-based curricula that provide entry points for students of various proficiencies, including heritage speakers. 

Humanities faculty are responsible for developing and teaching innovative and engaging humanities curricula with a focus on interdisciplinary studies in NCSSM’s residential and highly interactive online programs. Faculty should plan on playing an enthusiastic role with colleagues across all campuses of the school in ongoing conversations and collaborations about ideas, goals, pedagogical methods, and authentic assessments in NCSSM’s teaching and learning environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Since NCSSM is committed to an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the humanities, applicants should demonstrate a deep understanding of Spanish and its cultural and historical contexts, a passion for teaching and learning, and a love of ideas, combined with a commitment to serving as mentor and guide for students—both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Applicants should be able and willing to use appropriate educational technology to engage students in learning, in both face-to-face and remote settings. Applicants should be dedicated to continual growth, both as teachers and learners. Since all NCSSM faculty and staff are expected to support the intellectual, cultural, emotional, and social growth of students—responsibilities that transcend a traditional high school or college teaching schedule—applicants for the full-time position should bring to the work a keen commitment to participating actively in the multi-dimensional life of the NCSSM community. 

Desired:

Familiarity with the ACTFL World-Readiness Statements for Learning Languages, Can-Do Statements, and OPI Proficiency Guidelines. Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to identify students’ needs and develop engaging, practical, and informative courses. 

Excellent organizational and collaboration skills. Ability to work with other faculty in the discipline to align courses, reflect on learning outcomes, and provide extracurricular opportunities for students.

Experience and expertise in working with advanced high school or undergraduate students in the novice, intermediate, and advanced levels of the language and in differentiating instruction to accommodate the range of students’ proficiencies at each level. Candidates for the full-time position should have the Interest and ability to develop and teach high-interest topics-based courses that are taught in the target language and grounded in authentic materials. Our upper-level courses are built around topics such as Environmental Studies, Medical Spanish, Sports and Culture, and the Gothic and Supernatural.

Ability to teach a second language and/or senior Interdisciplinary Humanities courses.

Willingness to teach in both NCSSM’s residential and online programs, with experience in using appropriate educational technology to engage students in face-to-face and remote settings. 

The ideal candidate for the full-time position will be eager to participate fully in the wide variety of academic and cultural endeavors our school values, offers, and promotes. An exciting feature of NCSSM’s academic calendar is “January-Term,” consisting of two two-week sessions when faculty members lead intensive learning experiences both on and off campus. The ideal candidate will have the interest and ability to develop and lead these sessions on specialized topics that will appeal to NCSSM students. We also offer opportunities for students to travel domestically and abroad during this period; as such, experience in leading student travel groups and/or the willingness to do so is a definite plus.

How to Apply:

For the full-time permanent position:

Submit electronic application via: http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/. Please create an account, search for the full-time Instructor of Spanish, Durham campus position vacancy, and submit the online application.

For the part-time temporary position:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a CV, and a statement of teaching philosophy to Dr. Sarah Booker, Chair of Humanities, at sarah.booker@ncssm.edu.

If you have questions, please contact Mikhaela Johnson, Human Resources Specialist, at mikhaela.johnson@ncssm.edu or Dr. Sarah Booker, Chair of Humanities, at sarah.booker@ncssm.edu.

Please visit https://www.ncssm.edu/human-resources/career-opportunities/durham-careers for more information.