Middle and Upper School Teacher of Woodworking

Position Classification: Full-Time, 10-month, faculty, salaried exempt

Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.with additional hours as needed to fulfill after school coaching/activity responsibilities as assigned

Reports to: Head of Middle School and Head of Upper School, with oversight and support from Director of the Arts

Position Summary:

St. Christopher’s School, the largest all-boys school in Virginia and one of the largest and oldest boys’ schools in the Mid-Atlantic region, seeks a dynamic educator with the ability to teach and lead students in the Woodworking curriculum starting in the 2024 – 2025 school year. In addition, the successful candidate will be an effective advisor and capable activity leader or coach of an athletic team.

All Middle School boys take a required 12-week Intro to Woodworking class in either 6th or 7th grade. In 8th grade, the boys have the option of taking an 8-week elective Woodworking class that enables them to work in more detail, having already acquired basic skills in 6th or 7th grade. In Upper School boys can continue their woodworking practice in semester-long courses. While we only currently offer two levels, this has the potential to expand.

The average class size is 10 students in order to keep a necessary ratio to ensure safety and personal instruction. The total number of classes that meet daily will average four per trimester.

There will be a part-time shop assistant to help with project preparation and tool maintenance. The lead woodworking teacher will manage and maintain the shop in order to ensure cleanliness and a safe environment.

Serving approximately 1,000 boys in Grades JK-12 in Richmond, Virginia, St. Christopher’s is an Episcopal school committed to cultivating a community that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming. We pride ourselves on bringing out the best in every boy. Our boys benefit from an education and curriculum that is holistic, including academics, the arts, athletics, and service learning. The St. Christopher’s experience is further differentiated by a strong emphasis on our Community Pillars-honor & integrity, the pursuit of excellence, and community & brotherhood.

Qualifications & Key Skills:

A commitment to best practices in education, as articulated in the School’s Teaching Excellence Document, and a dedication to best practices for boys, as espoused by the St. Christopher’s Center for the Study of Boys
A clear commitment to diversity, community, and inclusion in school communities, as expressed in the St. Christopher’s DDiversity and Inclusion Statement
Formal training as a furniture-maker, masters preferred
Training in design, drawing, and project planning
An in-depth knowledge of wood as a material
Knowledge of the use and maintenance of all stationary and portable power tools and related equipment, and competence with hand tools, their use and care
Knowledge of the multiple ways to shape wood for a particular purpose according to a student’s skill level, and an ability to enable a student’s design to go forward even though it is beyond the student’s skill
Planning and developing curriculum
Planning for the material needs of the program: working with a budget, ordering, repairing, record-keeping
A minimum of three years teaching experience is preferred
Familiarity and ease with integrating technology into the classroom
An ability to collaborate effectively with members of the Arts department and the Middle and Upper School faculty to enhance students’ appreciation and understanding of the content
An excitement to commit fully to the St. Christopher’s community and the lives of our boys through participation in one or more after-school activities
Principal Responsibilities:

Teaching a full academic course load (typically four classes with one or two preps)
Advising (eight to ten students)
Coaching or leading a significant co-curricular activity
Handling other duties (study halls, recess, etc.) as assigned
Participating in the life of the School through committee work and regular presence at major school events as a means of supporting the students and the mission of the School
Communicating in a timely and efficient manner with parents, as appropriate
Staying abreast of best practices for teaching boys

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to circulate among students in a classroom setting for a minimum of four class periods per day
Must be able to move from classroom to classroom and from building to building as assigned or required by classroom assignment and activity of the day
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds
Additional Information:

We only accept applicant resumes through our online portal, which you can access here. Once you select the “Apply Now” button, it will take you through the prompts to complete your application and upload your resume, cover letter, and other required documents.

Application deadline is open until filled.

School Website: www.stchristophers.com

School Information:

Established in 1911, St. Christopher’s School is a JK-12 all-boys day school in Richmond, VA. The School’s single-campus location consists of 43 contiguous acres and 23 buildings with over 300,000 square feet. With over a century of rich history in the education of boys, St. Christopher’s has a reputation as a national and international leader in the education of boys. Our work with the International Boys’ Schools Coalition and our very own Center for the Study of Boys supports our new strategic plan, Momentum 2025, setting a bold path forward for the entire St. Christopher’s community.

St. Christopher’s School is committed to fostering, in broad and meaningful ways, an inclusive school community in which all members feel respected, welcomed, and valued. As such, St. Christopher’s School is an equal opportunity employer. St. Christopher’s School provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and job applicants without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age, disability, genetic information or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

Mission Statement: St. Christopher’s School knows, loves, and celebrates boys, promotes their pursuit of excellence, and prepares them for lives of honor and integrity, service, and leadership.

Benefits Package:

Among peer independent schools nationally, St. Christopher’s offers one of the most generous, comprehensive and competitive employee benefits packages available.

Summary of Employee Benefits for Full-Time Employees

Full-time employees work a minimum of 1,000 hours per year.

RETIREMENT PLAN

The School contributes 7.5% of the employee’s contract salary each year to a 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan for employees at least 21 years of age who have completed one year of full-time employment with

St. Christopher’s School or similar experience at another institution. In addition, the School will provide a matching contribution equal to 1.5% of contract salary if the employee makes an elective deferral equal to or greater than 1.5% of contract salary to their 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, for a potential School contribution of 9.0%.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

The School will pay 100% of the Consumer Directed Health Plan (also known as the High Deductible Health Plan), including vision coverage, for the employee. Employees may choose to add dependents or upgrade to a more traditional PPO Plan by applying the School’s contribution to the monthly premium cost.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Employees may choose from the plans currently offered and are responsible for 100% of the premium.

LONG TERM DISABILITY & PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Long term disability and professional liability insurance are provided at no cost to the employee.

LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE

Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance are provided at no cost to the employee equal to 1x’s the employee’s contract salary. Additional supplemental coverage for the employee and their dependents is available to employees at their own expense.

PRE-TAX SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Employees have the opportunity to participate in pre-tax savings accounts through either a dependent care flexible spending account, a medical flexible spending account or a health savings account, subject to respective IRS contribution limits.

TUITION REMISSION JK-12

Employees who work a minimum of 1,500 hours per contract year (July 1 to June 30) and have completed three years of prior full-time employment, either with St. Christopher’s School or another institution in a similar role, will be eligible to receive JK-12 tuition grants for eligible children enrolled in St. Christopher’s School or St. Catherine’s Schools. The three years of prior full-time employment must immediately precede the awarding of this tuition grant. For purposes of this benefit, full-time employment is defined as: a minimum of 1,500 hours per year for faculty employees and a minimum of 1,800 hours per year for all other employees. Employees with a full-time start date before July 1, 2020, who have met the eligibility criteria as stated above and have worked a minimum of 1,500 hours per year for the school prior to this date, will receive a tuition grant of 90%. Employees with a full-time start date on or after July 1, 2020, will receive a tuition grant of 75% upon completion of the eligibility criteria as stated above. Grants do not include non-tuition expenses such as fees, books, supplies, etc.

The School will provide tuition grants for up to four eligible children and will support one year in JK. Eligible children are defined as the biological, adoptive or legal ward of the eligible employee.

Extended Day

Employees receive full tuition remission for Extended Day services for the period of time up until the end of their regular workday.

Summer Programs

Employees are eligible to receive discounts on Summer Programs offered by St. Christopher’s School. Discounts are also available for summer Extended Day offerings.

MEALS

Employees receive lunch at no expense while School is in session. In order to perform normal mealtime duties, all full-time employees, as well as their immediate families, may receive breakfast five days a week and dinner two days a week at no expense when breakfast or dinner is served.

Additionally, lunch fees are waived for full-time employees’ sons enrolled at St. Christopher’s School.

LEAVE POLICIES

Wellness Leave Full-time employees receive ten (10) paid wellness leave days per fiscal year and may accumulate and carry forward any unused wellness leave days to a maximum of sixty (60) days. Included in the 10 wellness days are two (2) personal days that may be converted and used. Part-time employees will receive and may accumulate and carry forward a pro-rated amount of wellness leave days based upon the amount of time worked. Employees should provide as much notice as possible when requesting wellness leave and must have a supervisor’s approval.

Vacation

Vacation days are available to 12-month employees based on their job classification and continuous length of service. Please contact the Business Office for additional information.

Bereavement/Funeral Leave

Employees may take up to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave for an immediate family member. Employees may also take one day off per year with pay to attend the funeral of a relative outside the immediate family.

Additional Leave

Additional Leave of no more than five business days beyond those listed above may be granted subject to the discretion of the employee’s Division Head or the Headmaster.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The School is committed to supporting the professional growth of employees and will cover costs associated with job-related courses, workshops, conferences, professional associations and graduate degrees. Coverage of costs is budget dependent year to year and subject to the approval of both the employee’s Division Head and the Headmaster.

ONSITE CHILDCARE

Little Saints, an on-site daycare facility, is available to employees on a voluntary basis and at the employee’s expense.

ATHLETIC AND FITNESS CENTER

The Kemper Athletic and Fitness Center is open to employees subject to Athletic Department Rules and Guidelines.

CAMPUS HOUSING

St. Christopher’s may provide an employee with on-campus or School-owned housing as a condition of employment to better accommodate student access to faculty and administrators outside of the normal School day.

RELOCATION / MOVING EXPENSE POLICY

St. Christopher’s School will provide reimbursement to new full-time employees who are relocating to the Richmond area as a result of their new position with the School. Consistent with IRS guidelines, the School’s reimbursement support applies only to required moves for new employees whose primary residence is located in excess of 50 miles from the St. Christopher’s School campus. The maximum gross amount paid to an employee or on behalf of the employee to a moving company shall not exceed $7,500.00.

St. Christopher’s School is committed to fostering, in broad and meaningful ways, an inclusive school community in which all members feel respected, welcomed, and valued. As such, St. Christopher’s School is an equal opportunity employer. The School provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and job applicants without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions including lactation, age, disability, genetic information or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

Our City-Richmond, VA

Recently featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Southern Living Magazine and USA Today’s 10 Best Travel Awards, Richmond is known for its vibrant lifestyle and historic charm, mixed with diverse food, music, arts and cultural scenes and leading it to become one of the top mid-sized, affordable cities in the country.

Richmond’s residents enjoy big-city amenities combined with family-friendly quality of life. History buffs can enjoy a visit to St. John’s Church, where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech. Museums include the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Institute for Contemporary Art, The American Civil War Museum, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Music and dance enthusiasts can enjoy the classics at the Richmond Symphony, Richmond Ballet and Virginia Opera, or more contemporary shows at The National, Altria Theater and outdoor music concerts and festivals on Brown’s Island. Outdoor adventurers can explore over 600 acres of parks, over 40 miles of trails and Class IV rapids in the heart of an urban center through the James River Park System.

Richmond’s array of colleges and universities, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, Virginia State University and the University of Richmond, are cultural hubs and host theater events, music performances and impressive sports teams. The city is also home to the Richmond Flying Squirrels Minor League Baseball team and the Richmond Kickers soccer club.

Not only does Richmond’s appealing climate and location make it an enjoyable and exciting city in which to work and live, but it is ideally situated for a short road trip to the mountains of Charlottesville, to beaches in the Hampton Roads area, or to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC.

Contact Information