Upper School Humanities Teacher 2026-2027, FT

About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is an independent PK-12 day school with ~250 students located in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon.  The school was founded in 2003 and resides on an award-winning 45-acre campus located on the Deschutes River. The school’s unique mission weaves challenging academics with experiential learning within an engaged, vibrant community.

Cascades Academy values employees who are committed to our mission, are prepared to engage fully in a learning community, and are excited to bring their authentic selves to work. Cascades Academy’s culture is highly collaborative and puts what is best for students at the center of the work. Regularly named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon, our faculty and staff see each other as teammates and feel motivated to do their best work here. 

Cascades Academy strives to cultivate and maintain a supportive, inclusive community for all employees and actively promotes a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.  

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and are eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.

The Upper School

The Cascades Academy Upper School is led by a collection of dedicated, dynamic educators working to support students seeking a different kind of high school experience.  As a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, the class of 2027 will be the first to graduate with this unique, personal portfolio instead of a standard transcript with a GPA.  A tight-knit community, the US faculty culture is characterized by humility, agility, innovation, and humor as each individual wears multiple hats in a given week.  Faculty benefit from the chance to leverage their unique passions and interests in shaping elements of the experiential education program.  

Position Summary

Cascades Academy seeks an experienced Upper School Humanities Teacher who would work closely with the upper school team to deliver on our commitments to challenging academics and experiential education. 

Essential Duties

• Curriculum and Instruction:
• Teach 4 sections of upper school humanities (integrated social studies and ELA).  This includes one double block to 9th graders and 4 semester-long seminars to 11th and 12th graders including one section of the senior thesis.
• Serve as one of two core humanities teachers for the Upper School and work closely with the rest of the upper school team.
• Differentiate instruction and assignments to meet the needs of each learner while maintaining high standards for all students.
• Provide timely feedback and mastery-based grades to students via school LMS and update grades on a weekly basis.
• Communicate with families on a regular basis regarding student performance.
• Write narrative reports for students at the end of each semester that thoughtfully capture their successes and areas for growth.
• Teach one semester-long Elective course which meets 3 days/week.
• Co-lead weekly fall and spring Expedition field courses and the Winter Sports Program.
• Co-lead three overnight programs each academic year: Confluence (3 days), Fall Traveling School (5 days) and Spring Traveling School (10 days).
• Lead a club and/or elective that aligns with student interest.
• Leadership and Mentorship:
• Serve in the role of upper school Advisor; meet with advisees weekly and lead social-emotional learning and social responsibility lessons. 
• Be available to advisees and advisees’ families as needed to communicate and support each student’s academic and social-emotional progress. 
• Lead conferences with students and families twice annually.
• Uphold and enforce all school and US-specific policies, procedures, and practices.
• Institutional:
• Participate in all professional development days before, during, and after the school year.
• Pursue and execute additional professional development throughout the school year via conferences, school visits, books, webinars, etc. 
• Attend weekly faculty and division meetings.
• Attend school events and functions outside the normal school day, including fundraisers, presentations, board meetings, etc. (as indicated by the Head of School or Upper School Head).
• Assist in the fulfillment of Accreditation work (as per NWAIS Accreditation Report).
• Other duties as assigned by the Upper School Head or Head of School.

Position Details

Application Instrtctions

To apply, please complete the application on our website, including your resume, cover letter, and at least 1 letter of recommendation. No phone calls, please.

It is the policy of Cascades Academy to provide equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental impairment, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other status protected by applicable law. Specifically, employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, abilities and training; advancement is and shall be based on the individual’s achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion. 

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience teaching upper school humanities. Experience as a middle school English, and/or history teacher would be considered, as well.
• Clean driving record and valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for teaching humanities
• Passion for teaching in a creative, integrated, and innovative way
• Ability to work collaboratively with other upper school teachers
• Strong relational skills and emotional intelligence
• Strong organizational skills
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to drive a 14-passenger bus

• Commitment to implementing culturally competent curriculum and instruction

• Appreciation and respect for diversity in all of its forms
• Advocacy around inclusion
• Commitment to experiential learning, outdoor education, and social-emotional learning
• Desire to be an active member of a vibrant community of students, families, and staff
• Knowledge of common tech platforms used in education, such as Blackbaud, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Integrity, sound judgment, self-confidence, collaborative spirit, and a sense of humor
• Though not required, certified Wilderness First Responders are advantageous.

Physical Requirements

• Requires mobility to traverse campus to accompany and assure the safety of children.  This may include moving between buildings multiple times throughout the workday and bending, squatting, stooping, and kneeling.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to consistently and clearly communicate with children, colleagues, and families.

About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is a PK-12 independent school located in Bend, OR.

Connections working at Cascades Academy