Upper School Spanish Teacher (starting 2026-27)

Milton Academy

Milton, MA, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Education

Full Time

Job Description

Position: Upper School Spanish Teacher (starting 2026-27)

Department: Upper School - Modern Languages

Location: Ware Hall, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Faculty (Academic Year)

Base Salary: For the 2025–26 academic year, faculty salaries range from $50,000 to $120,000 annually. Placement within this range is determined by years of experience, in alignment with Milton Academy’s faculty salary scale, which is designed to ensure equitable pay progression.

Housing Stipend: Faculty members who reside off-campus will also receive an annual stipend of $12,600 (in 2025-26) in addition to the base salary listed above.

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just outside of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.

In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

Milton Academy is seeking applicants for a full-time Upper School Spanish teacher position within the Modern Languages Department, supporting students in grades 9 through 12. This position begins in August 2026.

The teacher will be responsible for teaching four classes and will play an active role in the broader life of the school community. Native or near-native fluency in Spanish is required, as well as a minimum of three years of experience teaching Spanish language and literature at the secondary or collegiate level. A strong academic background in the Spanish language, literature, or a related field is essential.

Candidates with certification or an advanced degree in teaching Spanish as a second language are strongly preferred. Importantly, fluency alone is not sufficient—we seek an educator with training and experience in the pedagogy of second-language acquisition. An advanced degree is preferred but not required. The ideal candidate demonstrates excellent teaching skills, creativity in curriculum design, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth.

Beyond the classroom, Milton faculty members are active contributors to the life of the school, including advising, participating in community and residential life activities, among other duties. Work authorization required; no sponsorship available.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Teaching and Curriculum

Demonstrated ability to teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of Spanish language, literatures, and cultures.
Ground instruction in the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines, Can-Do Statements, and the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive, presentational).
Create a student-centered, communicative classroom that emphasizes proficiency, meaningful use of Spanish, and intercultural understanding over rote grammar practice.
Design units using backward design principles, aligning assessments with clearly defined learning outcomes.
Incorporate authentic materials (literature, films, music, media, and contemporary cultural content) to connect students with the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students at varied proficiency levels, including heritage speakers.
Integrate new pedagogical trends, such as project-based learning, intercultural communicative competence, portfolio-based assessment, and the use of digital/AI tools for language learning.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop inter-departmental and cross-disciplinary projects, including working with the middle school division on curriculum and instruction.
Learn about and apply principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in curriculum design, classroom practice, and student engagement.
Actively support students, providing mentorship and academic guidance, while fostering a classroom culture of respect, curiosity, and global awareness.
Assess and evaluate student performance through varied methods, including performance-based assessments, projects, essays, and exams.
Provide timely and comprehensive written and oral feedback, including formal progress reports and end-of-term comments.
Communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues regarding academic performance and student growth.

Advising

Serve as an advisor to a group of up to nine students, engaging in advisor meetings each week.
Connect, support, communicate, encourage, and celebrate each advisee
- Facilitate students' social-emotional learning and growth in alignment with all school programming through small group meetings.
- Build deep relationships with each advisee and assist them in navigating challenges they may encounter.
- Form relationships with and act as a liaison between the school and advisee families; serve as the first point of contact between the school and families.
Read and be familiar with all relevant materials, most importantly the Student Handbook and the sections of the US Faculty Handbook on academic regulations and diploma requirements.
Be informed about course offerings for the following year and help each advisee select programs that are challenging and appropriate, as well as areas of special interest.
Review each advisee’s grades and comments.
Craft formal advisor reports for each advisee two times per year, offering overarching perspectives on their progress, and acknowledging a broader view of their academic and community achievements at Milton.
Should an advisee need additional support in a particular area, be in steady contact with the advisee’s teachers, administrators, and/or other committees as needed.
Attend all upper school student required weekly assemblies, programming, and special events (e.g., community service day, pep rallies).
Attend class trips, retreats, and social events arranged by the director of student activities or the class dean.

Community

Be a visible, accessible presence around campus.
Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.
Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.
Actively participate in greater community enrichment activities, such as advising a student activity, acting as a faculty sponsor to a student club, coaching an athletic team, leading an intramural sport or acting as an affinity group advisor.
Complete all chaperone and/or supervisory duty, as assigned; lead and facilitate weekend programming / activities and supervise recreational activities both on and off campus.

Residential Life (if residing in on-campus housing)

Act as a mentor and role model in all areas of the residential program, demonstrating a commitment to the success of each student, especially in the areas of social and emotional development.
Contribute to creating a positive community culture within the dorms that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.
Be on call (on duty) as a dorm parent in a residential dorm once a week and on rotational weekends and ensure that all responsibilities and rules outlined in the faculty handbook around dorm supervision are adhered to.
Facilitate and oversee programming when on duty and supervise recreational activities as assigned.
Communicate regularly with other house staff as an opportunity to check in about the students in the dorm.
Attend at least two dinners per week with the dorm community.

Other Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administration, and community members.
Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.
Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.
Create and maintain classroom and campus environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school’s values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.
Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.
Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Meet deadlines.
Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.
Prepare for and participate in opening of school programming, family visit days, graduation, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.
Complete school-required training.
Abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.
Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Modern Languages Department Chair and Dean of Faculty.

Supervision to be exercised: None.

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: A bachelor’s degree in Spanish language, Spanish Linguistics, Peninsular and/or Latin American Spanish Literature, Hispanic Studies or a related field.

Preferred: A master’s degree in the Spanish language, Spanish Linguistics, Peninsular and/or Latin American Spanish Literature, Hispanic Studies or a related field.

Experience

Required: A minimum of three years of proven experience in teaching and creating curriculum in Spanish Language.

Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding / day school.

Competencies

Required:

Proficiency in Spanish curriculum creation and instruction.
Proficiency in Second Language Acquisition teaching methods.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.
Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.
Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
Receptive to supervision and professional development.
Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

Physical Abilities

Required:

Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
Must be able to teach in a classroom setting and use relevant instructional technology.
Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.
Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.