Barrie School is a progressive independent school that inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. Serving a diverse and inclusive student body, our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (3 months to Grade 5) to Project-Based Learning (Grade 6 to Grade 12)—cultivates learning that lasts. Our challenging educational experiences unlock intrinsic motivation and innovation in both students and faculty. And our community fosters a deep sense of belonging and honors student voice and responsibility. All of this comes together to create engaged citizens with diverse and inclusive worldviews who are confident to be and advocate for themselves.

Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, Barrie School provides an extraordinary learning environment integrating local, national and global educational opportunities. Our 45-acre campus is home to the world-renowned Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies—one of the largest school-based teacher training programs in the country—and Barrie Camp, a Washington, D.C. area tradition since the 1950s. 

Under the leadership of new Head of School Ben Thrash, Barrie School is primed for an exciting school journey in the coming years. With a focus on the future of learning in schools, Barrie understands the importance of focusing on learning impact and the recognition that schools need to be different to meet the needs of today’s youth. Barrie School is committed to this pursuit.

www.barrie.org

To empower individuals to expand their intellectual abilities, develop creative talents, and discover their passions to make a positive impact in a rapidly changing world.

Founded:  1932 Headquartered:  Silver Spring, MD
Website:  www.barrie.org
Middle & Upper School Science Teacher
Location:
13500 Layhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
United States of America
Department:
Middle School (6-8)
Full/Part Time:
Full Time
Workplace Type:
In Person
Years of Experience:
2 - 5 Years
Level of Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Shift:

Description:

We are seeking a Middle School Science Teacher who centers young adolescents while designing learning that is rigorous, experiential, and deeply human. Reporting to the Head of Middle & Upper School, this role calls for a teacher who can facilitate innovative life and physical sciences learning. A strong candidate should be comfortable facilitating heterogeneous classrooms, guiding skills-based and experiential labs, and designing interdisciplinary projects that connect quantitative reasoning with real-world inquiry. 

A Barrie, our teachers serve as learning guides; at a most fundamental level, they have

A Different Vision of Rigor: At Barrie, rigor isn’t just about mastering difficult or test-centered content—it’s about learning to ask rich questions that fuel wonder, stretch thinking, deepen understanding, and inspire students to do something with what they’ve learned. We believe that to be truly rigorous, the work that learners do must allow them to engage with complexity, play with possibilities, take intellectual and creative risks, and turn critical thought into thoughtful action. Students should not simply study issues—they should build toward solutions, create work that matters, and take steps toward change in ways that feel personally meaningful and globally relevant.

The Spirit of a Mentor: Guides understand that students can shape their own learning pathways—balancing deep experience in areas of interest with wide perspectives across others. Guides build in time to think, reflect, make goals, and grow self-awareness. Students learn their strengths, practice advocating for themselves and others, and build the confidence to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Guides frame even missteps as successes that foster learning and growth.

The Heart of a Generalist: While they will teach subject-specific courses, guides are energized by learning and teaching across disciplines, helping students make sense of the world as a connected whole rather than a collection of separate subjects. They design hands-on, collaborative, real-world learning experiences that spark insight by crossing boundaries—where science connects to story, math meets making, art informs solutions, and big questions lead to meaningful ideas.

The Desire to be a Mixed-Grade, Mixed-Level, Interdisciplinary Facilitator: Guides are especially at home working with mixed-grade, mixed-level cohorts in which students learn with and from one another. They intentionally structure learning environments so collaboration builds smart thinking, growth, empathy, and strong community.


Skills:

Core Responsibilities & Competencies

  • Teach a full load of mixed-grade, mixed-skill science courses, including life science,  physical science, and physics

  • Support skills-based math learning (not direct teaching)

  • Serve as advisor to a small cohort of students, facilitating reflection,

    goal-setting, belonging, and strong family partnership

  • Design and facilitate electives and interdisciplinary

    offerings as appropriate

  • Design rigorous, inquiry-driven learning experiences that

    may extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries

  • Differentiate instruction within heterogeneous classrooms

  • Assess student mastery through competency-based frameworks

    and communicate growth clearly and proactively

  • Potentially teach within the Global Impact Diploma framework

    and mentor long-term impact or capstone projects

  • Lead and/or support Experiential Education programs, including

    immersive week-long intensives that may require travel

  • Collaborate with the Student Support Team to ensure all learners

    are supported academically and socially

  • Participate fully in staff meetings, curriculum development,

    professional development, and divisional design initiatives

  • Contribute meaningfully to learning exhibitions, showcases,

    advisory programming, clubs, and the broader life of the division

  • Perform shared community responsibilities (e.g., chaperoning,

    substitute coverage, car circle) that sustain divisional health, including

    those that may occasionally fall on nights or weekends

  • Communicate thoughtfully and effectively with families to build

    and maintain strong partnerships

  • Actively cultivate an intentionally inclusive community grounded

    in cross-cultural competency and culturally responsive and

    sustaining practices

Position Requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree in science education or a disciplinary field

    required (Master's or higher preferred)

  • At least 2-3 years of Middle and/or Upper School teaching experience

  • Strong content knowledge in your discipline and flexibility to support

    learning in other disciplines

  • Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate human-centered

    interdisciplinary and experiential learning experiences

  • Strong classroom management and scaffolding skills

  • Comfort teaching in mixed-grade, mixed-readiness environments

  • Commitment to competency-based growth and authentic assessment

  • Skill in building relational trust with adolescents and families

  • Collaborative mindset and willingness to engage in iterative

    program design

  • Flexibility and reflective practices

  • A belief in the power of restorative practices.

  • Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and organizational skills

  • Experience with leading or supporting Outdoor Education programming is a plus

The Ideal Candidate

  • Understands the developmental arc of adolescence and

    young adulthood 

  • Can move fluidly between conceptual science teaching

    and targeted math skill support

  • Believes structure and autonomy are complementary

    forces in learner growth

  • Thrives in collaborative, design-oriented professional cultures

  • Communicates with clarity, warmth, and professionalism

  • Approaches curriculum design and school change with

    flexibility, creativity, optimism, and reflective practice


Language Requirements:
Manages Others:
Travel Required:
Pay Comments:
Pay Range:
$55,000 USD to $95,000 USD per Year
Benefits:
Dental Insurance
Health Savings Account
Life Insurance
Medical Insurance
Retirement Savings and Planning
Tuition Assistance
Vision Insurance
Tuition assistance for dependent children. Salary commensurate with education and teaching experience.
Version 1.56.8.33316 updated 3/11/2026 6:30 PM