Laguna Blanca School is a college preparatory, coeducational day school located on two campuses in Santa Barbara, California. Grades EK-4 are located on a quaint campus in Montecito, while Grades 5-12 are located on Laguna’s historic campus in idyllic Hope Ranch. Laguna Blanca emphasizes its core values of scholarship, character, balance, and community in its programs.
Biology at Laguna Blanca introduces students to the fundamental concepts to build an understanding of biology and how it relates to a student’s natural surroundings. The program is organized around sets of unifying themes forming a logical sequence allowing students to tie together the complexities of biological interactions. Some of the themes include nature and continuity of life, unicellular and multicellular organization, evolution, energy transformations, and interactions between organisms and the environment. Laguna Blanca is seeking an educator who is versed in Bio-Technology coursework and course design for electives such as Bio-tech, Bio-Engineering, and forensics that will leverage our Innovation Center and STEM Labs. The lab component is heavily steeped in inquiry allowing students to design and execute their own scientific experiments with a strong focus on critical analysis and understanding of data.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide instruction within an interdisciplinary structure and Project-Based Learning approach
Nurture student learning through investigation and exploration of the following integrated common core concepts/areas: Cell Biology; Genetics; Ecology; Evolution; Physiology
Serve as a member of the applicable grade-level team(s) of teachers meeting on a regular basis to plan, develop, and coordinate student support in alignment with the mission of the school
Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Head of School and the Middle School and Upper School division heads
Communicate progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents and, as appropriate, other faculty, staff, and/or Head of School
Discuss academic difficulties or behavioral problems with students as they arise
Maintain required documentation for individual student files, attendance and incident reports, and other necessary records
Monitor study halls, study periods, and lunchrooms with other faculty and staff
Perform related tasks such as sponsoring student activities or organizations
Preferred candidates will have experience designing and facilitating Bio-Tech Electives and courses.
Preferred candidates will be an advisor to students and will design and support programming for students invested in Biotechnology.
Preferred candidates will also be able to teach AP Biology
REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES
Encourage a culture of mutual respect and equitable practice
Exhibit knowledge of student cognitive development and various learning styles
Demonstrates content knowledge
Sets high academic achievement expectations
Identifies and supports students’ social, emotional, and behavior learning needs
Facilitates and designs effective group work
Provides timely feedback and collaborates with faculty to offer specialized support
Fosters student growth through semi-annual Student-Led Conferences (SLC) and Presentations of Learning (POL)
Showcases student work within the community
Creates instructional activities that facilitate engaging and appropriate learning opportunities
Differentiates instruction based on feedback, needs, and learning levels
Provides opportunities for student engagement through “Voice and Choice”
Creates relevant and authentic learning experiences
Implements backward design to align all lessons, activities, and assessments
Designs formal and informal assessments that measure student progress
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree in related field; Master’s Degree highly preferred
California or Out-of-State/Country Credential -- Applicants, without credentials, who demonstrate outstanding achievement and knowledge in their field are strongly encouraged to apply.
DOJ Fingerprint Clearance
TB Clearance
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times
Must be able to traverse school facility and lead students to safety in the event of an emergency
Laguna Blanca School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any characteristic that is legally protected under applicable local, state, or federal law. This nondiscrimination policy includes but is not limited to admission, financial aid, educational programs, athletics, and employment.
