The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement.
Our continuous focus on moral character development intentionally engages all members of our school in the work of creating an inclusive and equitable living and learning ecosystem. Community and citizenship are at the heart of our aspiration to both social justice and academic excellence, with individual diversity integral to the strength of that community. When we embrace difference and pursue school life with respect, equity, and compassion, we build a foundation for engaged citizens.
In keeping with the tenets of our founder Frederick Gunn, who was himself a prominent abolitionist and progressive educator, The Frederick Gunn School seeks to provide a pluralistic learning environment for all inclusive of (but not limited to): culture, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, national origin, learning differences, physical difference, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences.
We invite applicants who resonate with our mission and who will foster an environment of cultural and intellectual richness and an active participant in advancing equity and inclusion.
Position Summary
The Frederick Gunn School seeks an inspiring and dedicated Science Teacher with a primary focus on Physics to join our faculty for the 2026–2027 school year. The ideal candidate will teach upper-level and advanced Physics courses, such as Honors Physics and AP Physics, while also contributing to the broader science curriculum as needed.
Applicants should bring deep enthusiasm for the study of Physics and a commitment to engaging students through inquiry, experimentation, and discovery. A successful candidate will be passionate about helping students develop scientific literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
As with all faculty positions at The Frederick Gunn School, this role includes responsibilities beyond the classroom—serving as a coach, house parent, and advisor within our vibrant boarding school community.
Responsibilities
Teach four sections of Physics, including Honors and/or AP-level courses.
Design and implement engaging lessons and laboratory experiences that promote inquiry-based learning and real-world application of Physics concepts.
Differentiate instruction to support students with diverse learning needs by offering appropriate scaffolding for those who need it and opportunities for acceleration for those ready to go further.
Approach classroom expectations, assessment, and discipline with clarity, consistency, and a growth mindset.
Emphasize laboratory safety and best practices in scientific experimentation.
Collaborate with colleagues in the Science Department and the Director of the IDEAS program to advance interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to teaching science.
Contribute to the continuous review and evolution of the science curriculum to enhance scientific literacy and align with school values.
Provide regular feedback, assessments, and individualized support to students.
Participate fully in the life of the school by serving as an advisor, coach, and house parent.
Remain current with developments in Physics and science education, fostering curiosity and awareness of contemporary scientific issues among students.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Physics or a related field required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience teaching high school Physics, including advanced or AP-level courses.
Strong laboratory teaching experience, emphasizing safety and hands-on inquiry.
Ability to inspire and challenge students of varied interests and abilities.
Commitment to the values of a boarding school community, including participation in co-curricular and residential life.
A deep alignment with the school’s mission and dedication to fostering equity, inclusion, and community.
Faculty Philosophy
Faculty at The Frederick Gunn School are educators, mentors, coaches, and role models. Mr. Gunn wrote in 1870, “There is an unconscious influence, a mysterious, silent emanation going out from the personality of every teacher... more powerful than the will of man... every teacher will actually teach that which he is.”
To teach at The Frederick Gunn School is to embrace this legacy—to guide students toward their best selves, in mind, body, and spirit.
Job Details
Immediate opening for the 26/27 school year. Offer of employment will be contingent upon a successful background check.
Compensation
The Frederick Gunn School offers an attractive compensation package that includes a salary commensurate with experience.
The Frederick Gunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except in cases of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or except as otherwise permitted or required by law, The Frederick Gunn School does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, victims of domestic violence or any other protected class status under applicable law with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, discharge from employment or other terms and conditions of employment. Position announcements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the job title and the education and skills required. Descriptions are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that are required or may be required in the future.
BACKGROUND SCREENING: The Frederick Gunn School conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer, which includes using a third-party administrator to conduct the checks.
Core Values
Integrated Humans
Thriving people learn to integrate the intellectual, the physical, the spiritual, and the emotional through an examination of the place of each, discernment about their relative role, and a commitment to balance and flourishing.
Hopeful Faculty
We prize faculty who believe resiliently, optimistically and with good humor in the students’ and faculty’s collective ability to grow and learn; know their discipline and practice, and understand character development. A faculty oriented around these principles will earn the confidence of students and create a place of purpose and fun where faculty and students want to be.
Learning Ecosystem
Thriving communities recognize the interdependent nature of their parts. Therefore, The Frederick Gunn School is a school that champions the interdisciplinary and inter-experiential nature of life and learning - one that incorporates the outdoors, athletics, and arts, as well as academics, into everyday life.
Moral Character Development
We are a school that nurtures Mr. Gunn’s belief in character as the driving force in a life well-lived, and that character emerges through the intentional pursuit—in knowledge and practice—of what is good, right, true, sustainable, and beautiful.
Engaged Citizens
The Frederick Gunn School is a school that, despite growing cultural apathy, cynicism, consumerism and distraction, produces people who care deeply - who become wise, engaged, active citizens.
