Tandem Friends School, a co-ed, Quaker, 5th-12th grade independent day school in Charlottesville, Virginia, seeks a dynamic and collaborative Middle School Science Teacher with a background in curricular and pedagogical innovation to lead our 7th and 8th grade science program. This role is to begin in August, 2026.

As a community of just under 300 students, faculty and staff, close interpersonal connections are a defining feature of life at Tandem Friends School. Tandem Friends seeks teachers from all backgrounds who bring diverse skills and knowledge, a willingness to learn new things, and an appreciation for collaboration with students.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement an engaging science curriculum, which cultivates a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment and which encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry.
• Assess student performance and provide constructive feedback to support academic growth.
• Collaborate with the Science Department and Middle School Director on curriculum development, student support, and school-wide science initiatives.
• Manage and maintain a functional, dynamic, and organized lab-based science classroom, ensuring all safety protocols are followed.
• Be an active community member, sharing in the general support and care of the school community, serving as a student advisor, chaperoning overnight trips, and participating in a wide range of community activities.

This is a full-time teaching position. Full benefits include a dental plan, a retirement plan, tuition remission, and a robust health insurance plan. Part-time teaching may be possible, though doing so is complicated as classes follow a rotating schedule.

Tandem Friends School aspires to be an equitable and inclusive school community. The school seeks applications from candidates with a high degree of cultural competence who will contribute to an atmosphere in which all are valued and supported. People of color and members of other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and references to sciencepositions@tandemfs.org.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required with a strong preference for a degree in a science field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Previous experience teaching middle school science, particularly Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science.
• Experience with curriculum design, and a demonstrated knowledge of and ability to teach a student-centered, inquiry-based curriculum.
• A pedagogical approach that incorporates equitable and inclusive strategies and curricula.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with middle school students, parents, and colleagues.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Tandem Friends School.
• Experience teaching and a strong developmental understanding of pre-adolescent and adolescent students.
• Enthusiasm for Quaker values, including principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging.
• A self-awareness in regard to one’s own strengths and areas for growth; an approach to others characterized by empathy and generosity of spirit.
• An eagerness to partner with a dynamic and dedicated team of colleagues in the day-to-day activities of the school.

About Tandem Friends School

At Tandem Friends School, we believe that the finest education is achieved through an active partnership between faculty and students. We honor students by holding them to high standards. Teachers are dedicated to the intellectual, aesthetic and moral growth of each student. In turn, our students are expected to enter into this partnership with a sense of responsibility and respect for their mentors and for the entire school community. Our high expectations of students are possible because our faculty and staff meet a high standard of professional and personal excellence in their work. All teacher candidate finalists spend a full day here and teach sample classes. We actively foster our employees' continuing growth through professional development funding and an environment that is characterized by open communication, collaboration and a strong sense of community. The combination of motivated students, engaged families, active institutional support and highly qualified employees makes this a dynamic learning community. Tandem Friends School is a co-educational, independent day school for grades 5-12 with a diverse enrollment of 250 students. The school is located on a 31-ac...re campus in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was founded as The Tandem School in 1970 and was affiliated as a Quaker (Friends) school in 1995. Tandem Friends is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or national ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, scholarship or loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs. People of color and members of other underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

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Connections working at Tandem Friends School