Job Description:

Not every teaching job changes a school. This one can.

Western Valley Middle School is looking for an exceptional Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher who believes history is more than dates and facts, it's the story of people, cultures, ideas, and the choices that shape our world.

We are not searching for someone who wants to maintain the status quo. We are looking for someone energized by growth, inspired by challenge, and excited to become part of a team that is transforming a school from the inside out.

This is more than a classroom. It is an opportunity to help write the next chapter of one of Arizona's most exciting school turnaround stories.

Western Valley Middle School serves an incredible and diverse community of students in Phoenix. Our students bring resilience, humor, curiosity, and tremendous potential to school every day. They deserve educators who believe in them before they believe in themselves.

Our mission is simple:

Ignite. Unite. Empower.

Every decision we make is centered on creating a school where students feel they belong, engage in meaningful learning, and leave prepared for high school and beyond.

Over the past year we have strengthened school culture, improved attendance systems, expanded student voice and choice, created meaningful intervention structures, and celebrated significant academic growth. The work is challenging, but the momentum is real.

Now we are looking for outstanding teachers to help us continue that journey.

From ancient civilizations to geography, cultures, and global connections, you will help students understand how history continues to shape the present. Your classroom will encourage curiosity, thoughtful discussion, and respectful exploration of diverse perspectives while helping students become informed citizens and compassionate leaders.

The relationships you build this year may inspire students to see themselves as lifelong learners who are capable of making a difference in their communities and beyond.

The teacher we're looking for:

• You believe that relationships come before rigor, and that strong relationships make meaningful learning possible.
• You create engaging lessons that encourage inquiry, discussion, collaboration, and critical thinking.
• You know that social studies comes alive through stories, primary sources, debate, problem solving, and real-world connections.
• You celebrate growth as much as achievement.
• You are reflective, collaborative, and always looking for ways to improve your practice.
• You understand that students are far more than test scores, yet you are committed to helping every student succeed.
• You enjoy being part of a team that supports one another, learns together, and celebrates success.

As our Grade 6 Social Studies Teacher, you will:

• Deliver engaging, student-centered social studies instruction aligned to Arizona standards.
• Foster a classroom culture where curiosity, respectful dialogue, and critical thinking are encouraged every day.
• Design learning experiences that connect history, geography, economics, and civics to students' lives and the world around them.
• Use formative assessment and data to support student growth.
• Collaborate with an outstanding sixth-grade team committed to continuous improvement.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including multilingual learners and students receiving special education services.
• Build strong partnerships with families through consistent communication and celebration of student growth.
• Participate in meaningful professional learning that directly supports classroom success.
• Help create a school where students feel challenged, supported, and empowered every day.

What you'll find at Western Valley:

• You'll find a leadership team that believes teachers deserve support, trust, and opportunities to grow.
• You'll work alongside educators who collaborate rather than compete.
• You'll have access to meaningful professional learning, instructional coaching, collaborative planning, and leadership opportunities.
• You'll teach in a school that believes culture matters just as much as curriculum.
• You'll become part of a community that laughs together, solves problems together, and refuses to let circumstances define what our students can accomplish.

Qualifications

• Valid Arizona teaching certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Appropriate certification to teach middle school social studies.
• SEI Endorsement or willingness to earn the endorsement through an approved online course no later than October 3, 2026.
• Strong knowledge of social studies content and effective instructional practices.
• Commitment to equity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Passion for building relationships with middle school students and families.
• Growth mindset and willingness to contribute to a positive school culture.

If you are looking for a place where your work matters every single day...

If you want to be surrounded by educators who believe improvement is always possible...

If you want to help transform not just student achievement, but student lives...

Western Valley Middle School is ready for you.

Come build something extraordinary with us.

Send your letter of interest and resume to snardi@fesd.org.