About Us
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
The Upper School Spanish Teacher is a passionate, innovative, and collaborative educator who engages boys in Grades 7-9 through dynamic, student-centered teaching. This teacher will join a dedicated team to inspire students to think critically about the Spanish language, culture, and their real-world applications of Spanish. 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 16 boys, collaborating with grade-level teams, and advising a small group of students. The curriculum emphasizes skills in the four areas of language acquisition: reading, writing, speaking, and listening, essential to communicate effectively in Spanish. In addition, through project-based learning (PBL), students deepen their understanding of the Spanish language and culture of Spanish-speaking countries while honing critical thinking skills.
Reports to: Head of Upper School
Status: Full Time, Benefits Eligible
FLSA Status: Exempt
Date Available: August 2025
Date Posted: May 2025
Schedule: Orientation August 18 & 19, School year August 25 to June 9
(Mon - Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm; Some required meetings throughout the year are scheduled from 4:30 - 5:30)
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Teach and Inspire:
- Design and implement engaging Spanish lessons that bring language to life, fostering curiosity and a love for the traditions and culture of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Ability to teach Spanish while leveraging interactive activities to enhance language acquisition and develop knowledge of the diverse traditions of Spanish-speaking countries.
- Foster a dynamic classroom environment where students feel challenged and supported in their learning.
- Encourage students to make meaningful connections between their own lives and the perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world.
- Build Relationships:
- Build meaningful connections with students, inspiring confidence, curiosity, and perseverance in scientific exploration.
- Create a supportive environment where all students feel valued.
- Integrate Core Values:
- Actively teach and model the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect to nurture students' academic and character development.
- Differentiated Instruction:
- Utilize various modes of instruction and assessments to meet the diverse learning needs of students.
- Use formative and summative assessments to guide instruction and evaluate student progress.
- Design assignments and projects that accommodate a range of abilities and interests.
- Innovate and Collaborate:
- Incorporate project-based learning (PBL) rich with interactive activities, educational technology, and cross-curricular connections to create a dynamic and engaging Spanish classroom experience.
- Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen program offerings.
- Promote Inclusion:
- Integrate diverse perspectives, cultural competency, and inclusive practices into lessons, ensuring all students feel valued and represented.
- Mentor and Advise:
- Serve as an advisor to a small group of students, supporting their social-emotional growth, goal-setting, and academic progress over the time they spend in the Upper School.
- Contribute to Community:
- Actively participate in the life of the school by attending meetings, grade-level activities, and school events.
- Perform duties such as supervising recess, lunch, and dismissal
- Lead/assist with grade trips, including up to one overnight trip (4 days, 3 nights)
- Support extracurricular programs such as coaching sports, facilitating clubs, or leading grade trips.
- Professional Development:
- Pursue professional development opportunities provided by the school and beyond, staying abreast of best practices in language education and teaching methodologies.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Ability to create a student-centered classroom that fosters academic rigor, engagement, and positive relationships.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to connect with boys and collaborate with families and colleagues.
- Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching practices.
- Ability to provide various instructional practices to meet the learning needs of diverse learners.
- Successful criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, education, or related field.
- Master’s degree in Spanish, education, or related field.
- 2+ years of teaching experience with middle school students or an equivalent age group.
- Experience with project-based learning and educational technology integration.
- Prior experience working in an all-boys school or understanding of boys’ developmental needs.
Why Join Us?
The Fessenden School offers:
- A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community that supports creative teaching methods.
- A robust professional development budget that provides for school support professional growth and collaboration opportunities.
- A focus on educating the whole boy—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities; Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts.
- Daily hot lunch and assorted salad bar options.
- Class sizes from 12 to 16 students
- Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions
To Apply
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
