About this role
Position: Long-Term Substitute – High School Social Studies Teacher Position Type: Part-time, temporary Department: Social Studies Location: Watertown High School Reports to: Principal Affiliation: Non-Aligned Salary range: $40/Hourly This is a LONG TERM SUB POSITION that is expected to start on 01/19/2027 and end 03/19/2027. General Description: Watertown High School seeks an exceptional long-term substitute History/Social Studies Teacher, who is highly qualified and knowledgeable, to join our community of teachers, learners, and leaders. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a teacher who is passionate about social studies education and helping students develop critical thinking, historical analysis, and civic engagement skills. Watertown High School supports collaboration, innovation, and professional growth, and respects the skills and expertise of its teachers. This position offers an exciting opportunity to teach Current World Events, a semester-long elective for students in grades 11–12. In this semester-long course, students will explore contemporary global issues and their historical origins. Course topics will be driven by student interest and major news headlines, but may include international relations, wars and conflict “hotspots”, immigration, human rights issues, climate change, and youth activism. The course emphasizes research, discussion, debate, and collaboration and promotes media literacy. Students will track particular regions of the world and report on major current events, considering multiple perspectives and sources of information (e.g. news articles, social media). The course provides a unique opportunity for students to engage deeply with recent historical developments. Responsibilities:
• Teach one semester elective class (0.2) to students in grades 11-12, Current World Events
• Plan and implement effective History/Social Studies units and lesson plans in alignment with curricular standards in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) History and Social Science Framework and English Language Development Standards
• Promote historical inquiry, analysis of primary and secondary sources, and cultivation of historical thinking and academic skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening, research, media literacy
• Incorporate multiple forms of assessment and use data to inform instruction and improve student learning
• Differentiate teaching methods and materials to support a range of learning needs, including students with IEPs, 504 plans, and accommodations as well as multilingual learners
• Collaborate with co-teachers, specialists, and building/district administration to ensure high-quality, inclusive instruction for all students
• Communicate effectively with parents/families, community members, counselors, and support staff on student progress
• Maintain a positive, safe learning environment that promotes respectful discourse and student engagement
• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and ongoing curriculum planning
• Other duties as assigned
Core Competencies: Using the Massachusetts Model System for Educators Rubric, priority skills and abilities that all Watertown Public School teachers should possess:
• Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: (Subject Matter Knowledge, Well-Structured Lessons, Curriculum and Planning Indicator, Child and Adolescent Development)
• Demonstrates mastery of and enthusiasm for the content area and the pedagogy it requires
• Conveys understanding of child development and how students learn
• Designs effective and rigorous standards based units of instruction consisting of well-structured lessons with measurable outcomes
• Teaching All Students: (Meeting Diverse Needs, Student Engagement, Safe Learning Environment)
• Uses instructional practices that are likely to challenge, motivate, and engage all students and facilitate equitable, active student participation
• Builds a productive learning environment where every student participates and is valued as part of the class community
• Cultural Proficiency:
• Actively creates and maintains an environment in which students' diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are respected
• Family and Community Engagement: (Parent/Family Engagement)
• Engages with families and builds collaborative, respectful relationships with them in service of student learning
• Professional Culture: (Reflective Practice, Professional Collaboration)
• Regularly reflects on practice, seeks and responds to feedback, and demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to continuous learning and development
• Seeks to participate in and contribute to a collaborative adult learning community
Qualifications - Required:
• Bachelor's degree required
• Massachusetts DESE license in 8-12 History
• SEI endorsement
• Ability to meet the Standards of Effective Teaching established by the Massachusetts Model System for Educators as outlined above
Qualifications - Preferred:
• Master's degree in Secondary History and/or Education
• At least three years of teaching experience
• Knowledge of second language, Spanish or Portuguese preferred
Physical Demands:
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer Watertown Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.