Upper School Social Studies Teacher

Company: The Principia
Location: Saint Louis
Posted on: February 21, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Summary Principia is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable Upper School Social Studies Educator to teach advanced history and social science courses for students in grades 10–12, including Dual Credit (DC) and Advanced Placement (AP) offerings. The ideal candidate brings deep content expertise and a passion for inquiry-based, student-centered learning that inspires students to think critically, conduct meaningful research, and communicate thoughtfully—skills that extend far beyond the classroom. Reporting to the Upper School History Department Chair, this educator will lead engaging, discussion-driven courses that connect historical study to contemporary global, civic, and cultural issues. The role also offers the opportunity to design and pilot new elective courses, blending traditional historical scholarship with innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that reflect the evolving nature of the field. Who We Are At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning. Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. Primary Responsibilities Foster a genuine enthusiasm for working with high school students and support their academic, social, and character development. Design and deliver engaging, student-centered instruction that incorporates real-world applications, integrates 21st-century skills, and effectively utilizes a 1:1 technology environment Build strong, inclusive relationships with diverse learners, supporting student growth and helping all students recognize and reach their potential Collaborate productively with colleagues, parents, and administrators, contributing to the Social Studies Department, professional learning communities, and shared curricular initiatives Communicate clearly, professionally, and consistently in both oral and written forms, including advising and conferencing with a small group of Upper School students Establish and maintain a positive classroom culture through effective classroom management practices that promote responsibility, respect, and character education Demonstrate strong organizational, problem-solving, and project-management skills, including timely planning and follow-through for instructional responsibilities, events, and trips Engage in ongoing professional growth by continually developing content expertise, instructional practices, and technical skills to enhance student learning Secondary Responsibilities Demonstrates a strong interest and commitment to working with a wide range of students, helping them feel successful and recognize their unlimited potential Demonstrates commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and active citizens Recognizes character education as an essential and natural part of daily classroom and ensemble instruction Collaborates effectively with colleagues, coaches, parents, houseparents, and administrators to support shared curricular, instructional, and student-life goals Supports mutual curricular and instructional goals with Upper School colleagues through collaboration and regular communication Participates as a member of a departmental team, including attending at weekly meetings and collaborative planning Serves as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School students Supports innovative and engaging student recruitment and retention efforts Pursues ongoing professional development, applies best educational practices, and contributes to a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement. Participates in required professional development on Monday and Wednesday afternoons Fulfills all responsibilities expected of a faculty member, including curriculum development, lesson planning, grading and assessment, administrative tasks, meetings, supervision, family communication, and participation in school events as assigned Lead and mentor small groups of students as a Crew Leader, including oversight during fall Character Trips and active participation in House activities Attends and supports curricular trips, festivals, service-learning performance opportunities, and school activities, including chaperoning social events and travel Performs other duties as assigned in support of the school’s mission and programmatic needs Core Competencies Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia: Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development. Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes. Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals. Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes. Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results. Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment. Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations. Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect. Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well-being and development. Minimum Qualifications Student of Christian Science preferred Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding -statements Master’s degree in History or a closely related field with at least 18 graduate credit hours in History Prior experience teaching secondary history or social studies, including courses such as Dual Credit and AP U.S. History, world history, government, or related electives Demonstrated ability to teach complex historical content in ways that are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and accessible to high school students Experience designing inquiry-based, discussion-rich learning experiences that connect historical study to students’ lives, contemporary issues, and global perspectives Strong commitment to fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive classroom environment that supports learners from diverse backgrounds, including international and boarding students Ability to differentiate instruction and assessment for students with varied academic readiness, learning styles, and English language proficiency Enthusiasm for experiential and project-based learning approaches, including travel opportunities, simulations, debates, and role-playing activities that bring historical study to life The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. Compensation and Benefits We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience. In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. Equal Opportunity Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.

Keywords: The Principia, Florissant , Upper School Social Studies Teacher, Education / Teaching , Saint Louis, Missouri