Position: Curriculum Developer, English Language Arts
Reports to: Editorial Director, ELA
Status: Full Time; Exempt
Location: US Based Home Office
Start date: Immediate
Position description: Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational nonprofit that provides educational content, curriculum resources, and professional development to secondary school English, civics, humanities, and social studies teachers. Facing History’s educational content is informed by a unique pedagogical model that helps students explore questions of identity, human behavior, prejudice, and civic responsibility, and make the essential connection between history and the moral choices they confront in their own lives today. We currently apply this model to explore case studies of pivotal historical moments such as the Holocaust and the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War, as well as rich works of literature such as Brown Girl Dreaming.
The Curriculum Developer, ELA uses Facing History’s pedagogy as a framework to envision effective classroom instruction and write clear and accessible curriculum materials to guide ELA teachers in implementing the content. Individuals in this role work closely with members of the Content Development team in all aspects of their work.
The ideal candidate for the Curriculum Developer, English Language Arts role is a writer, teacher, and learner at heart, who is passionate about our mission and excited to develop content for the wide range of topics that comprise our English language arts editorial portfolio. They have at least 5-7 years of experience writing curriculum, including lesson plans and units, for English Language Arts classrooms that cover a wide range of topics, for example, coming of age, belonging in the world, and developing a sense of agency and voice. The Curriculum Developer will join a collaborative team whose roles include writers, editors, production coordinators, supervisors, and strategists.
The successful candidate will have recent experience teaching in a middle or high school setting and writing curriculum materials for adolescents with diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.
Responsibilities include:
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Develop web- and print-based curriculum for middle and high school teachers and students, including text sets, literature units, and study guides.
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Internalize and apply Facing History’s unique pedagogical model to the design of curriculum resources.
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Research, write, and summarize complex concepts, histories, and contemporary issues to provide context teachers need to effectively implement curricula.
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Collaborate effectively and enthusiastically with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure curricula meet goals and objectives.
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Demonstrate knowledge and expertise in best practices in the teaching, pedagogy, and assessment of English language arts, and ensure those practices are reflected as appropriate in Facing History content.
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Seek out and maintain knowledge about teacher/student use of digital products in the classroom and selectively integrate latest tools and trends into Facing History’s curriculum materials.
Essential Skills/Qualities:
Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!
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Five or more years of writing middle or high school ELA curriculum that is culturally responsive and attuned to students' social and emotional needs.
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Recent (within the past 3 years) teaching experience in middle or high school English language arts courses.
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Excellent writing skills, eagerness to incorporate feedback from editors, and an ability to persist in the writing process until drafts are complete and publishable.
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Strong research skills, and an ability to identify literary, historical, and multimedia sources that are intellectually and emotionally appropriate and engaging for adolescents.
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Knowledge and experience of methods for differentiating instruction (especially according to reading ability) in middle and high school ELA classrooms.
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Curiosity and eagerness for continuous learning about the fields of ELA, civics education, and the practice of teaching.
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A student-centered approach to content development
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An awareness and sensitivity to the social and political context in which ELA educators are currently working
Preferred Skills
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Experience using educational technology and finding creative ways to present and deliver instructional content to teachers and students on digital platforms.
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Familiarity with the Understanding By Design curriculum design frameworks.
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Training and experience with Facing History pedagogy/curricula.
Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(B) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through Welnys TV, aHealthyMe & weekly virtual yoga and meditation, WellCents 403(B) advisement, and a friendly work environment.
Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Hybrid Work Model: Facing History and Ourselves operates in a hybrid work model, allowing staff flexibility in both schedules and work locations. This particular position is home-based. Some travel is required.
Facing History’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At Facing History, we honor and value the uniqueness of each and every human being. Our strength as an organization that provides and distributes educational content and pedagogy to teachers across the globe is directly tied to our diversity of staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. Our commitment is to treat individuals with dignity and to build and maintain a community of full participation, inclusive of the voices, needs, and contributions of all. As an organization, we are deeply aware of the legacies of injustices that persist in society and in the workplace, and we value and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their association with excellence.