Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Long-Term Substitute Upper School Life Sciences Teacher Principia School

Title: Long-Term Substitute Upper School Life Sciences Teacher

Department/Location: Upper School Science, St. Louis campus

Position Type: Full-time, Temporary hire, August 8, 2025 to October 6, 2025

Summary
Principia is seeking a passionate and adaptable long-term substitute teacher to join our Upper School science team. In this role, you will teach one section of Advanced Biology II and lead the biology component of a conservation-focused unit within the 9th-grade interdisciplinary CoLab course (integrating English, social studies, art, Bible, and biology). You may also occasionally assist with outdoor lab experiences for the Field & Natural History class. Your enthusiasm for student-centered, inquiry-based learning and your ability to build strong relationships will be key to your success. Reporting to the Science Department Chair, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring continuity in student learning while collaborating closely with a supportive team of interdisciplinary educators and science faculty.

Who We Are

At our award-winning pre-K–12 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 & 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  

  • Provide engaging, lab-based instruction in Advanced Biology that fosters student curiosity and independence, emphasizing how healthy biological systems function while exploring topics such as molecular biology, physiology, microbiology, and neuroscience.

  • Guide students through inquiry-based learning aligned with NGSS practices and co-create meaningful, real-world investigations.

  • Lead the biology and environmental science components of the 9th-grade Conservation Design Project within the Integrated Studies course (Grade 9 CoLab).

  • Facilitate outdoor fieldwork, including pond testing, insect sampling, and ecosystem surveys.  Assist with field research days in other life science courses on an as-needed basis. 

  • Implement a UbD-aligned unit and mentor student teams through design thinking, data analysis, and solution-building.

  • Promote systems thinking, sustainability, and ethical reasoning in scientific exploration.

  • Collaborate with an interdisciplinary teaching team to provide a seamless and integrated student experience.

  • Participate in onboarding and planning sessions alongside the current biology teacher to ensure a smooth transition.

  • Participation in one-week school character trips in the fall.

  • Serves as an advisor to a group of 8-10 Upper School students.

  • May need to support a Quest if required.

Work Environment & Professional Characteristics

  • Foster a dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered classroom culture where learners feel supported in taking risks, experimenting with new ideas, and connecting their work to real-world scientific and environmental challenges. Cultivate an environment that empowers students as critical thinkers and problem-solvers, encouraging exploration and creativity through authentic scientific inquiry and field-based learning.

  • Support each learner in developing confidence, resilience, and independence as they engage with complex biological and ecological systems. Emphasize ethical reasoning and evidence-based thinking as essential components of scientific literacy.

  • Exhibit high energy, enthusiasm, and adaptability in a classroom where learning is individualized and student-led investigations occur alongside structured instruction. Demonstrate strong classroom management and organizational skills to maintain a focused and responsive environment.

  • Model and inspire a lifelong love of learning, helping students become engaged citizens and compassionate stewards of their communities and ecosystems.

 

Core Competencies

  • Positivity:  Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.

  • Team players:  Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner

  • Relationship Builder: Builds and sustains strong connections with a genuine interest in others

  • Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with candidates and staff at all levels and build strong relationships

  • Communication: Provides regular, consistent, and meaningful information. Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood. Ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties. Communicates in a clear and concise manner. Tailors communication style to needs of the recipient.

  • Inclusion: Demonstrates awareness and respect for cultural differences, actively seeks to understand diverse perspectives, and supports cross-cultural interactions. Fosters an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and respected.

  • Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas

 Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred)

  • Experience teaching high school or college-level science in interdisciplinary or experiential settings

  • Proficiency in lab and field techniques (e.g., PCR, ecological surveys, gel electrophoresis)

  • Familiarity with NGSS, UbD, and inquiry-based instruction

  • Strong classroom management and collaboration skills

  • Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/mission

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.

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.