Science Teacher

About Washington International Academy

Washington International Academy (WIA) is a K–12 Islamic school in the Alexandria/DMV area dedicated to forming students of strong character, deep faith, and rigorous intellect. Our mission is to cultivate fitrah, the innate human disposition toward truth and goodness, through a curriculum that integrates classical Islamic pedagogy with contemporary academic excellence.

At WIA, science is not taught as a set of facts to be memorized and recited. Our curriculum is concept-based and inquiry-driven: students learn to observe carefully, ask genuine questions, design investigations, and reason from evidence toward understanding, so that scientific concepts are discovered and constructed rather than simply delivered. This mirrors our broader educational philosophy, rooted in adab (disciplined refinement), tarbiyah (holistic nurturing), and dhikr (mindful, purposeful attention), in which the natural world is approached with curiosity and humility as a sign (ayah) pointing toward a deeper order, and understanding is built through reflection, direct investigation, and conceptual transfer rather than rote repetition.

Our secondary science faculty are essential partners in this vision, laying the groundwork in Grades 6–9 for the more advanced scientific study students will pursue within our Futuwwah Program, WIA’s high school division dedicated to forming young people of purpose, competence, and conviction.

Position Overview

WIA is seeking a Middle/High School Science Teacher to design and deliver an inquiry-based science program for Grades 6 through 9, covering Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Biology. The ideal candidate is a strong scientific thinker and a thoughtful pedagogue, someone who can guide students through hands-on investigation and evidence-based reasoning, and who is energized by curriculum design rather than simply curriculum delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and deliver a concept-based, inquiry-driven science curriculum across Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Biology for Grades 6–9
2. Structure units around scientific practices (observation, questioning, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning) rather than passive content coverage
3. Plan and lead engaging, hands-on labs and investigations appropriate to a middle/early-high school setting, with careful attention to lab safety
4. Use formative and summative assessment to guide instruction and support genuine conceptual understanding, not just factual recall
5. Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners across Grades 6–9
6. Integrate Islamic values, adab, and reflective wonder at the natural world naturally into classroom culture and routines
7. Collaborate with colleagues on vertical alignment of the science sequence from Grade 6 through the upper Futuwwah science courses
8. Participate in ongoing curriculum development, professional development, and school-wide initiatives
9. Maintain regular, respectful communication with students, families, and administration
10. Sponsor or support a co-curricular activity (e.g., Science Fair, STEM club) as capacity allows

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in a Science field (Biology, Earth/Environmental Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related) or Science Education required; Master’s degree preferred
2. Prior teaching experience at the middle or high school level strongly preferred
3. Demonstrated experience with or strong interest in inquiry-based and concept-based teaching approaches (e.g., the 5E instructional model, Understanding by Design, NGSS-aligned practices)
4. Strong command of foundational science content across Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Biology
5. Comfort planning and safely supervising hands-on labs and field-based investigations
6. Familiarity with and appreciation for Islamic educational philosophy and classical pedagogical concepts (adab, tarbiyah, fitrah)
7. Excellent classroom management skills grounded in restorative, relationship-centered practice
8. Strong written and verbal communication skills
9. Comfort with instructional technology and learning management systems

What WIA Offers

1. A mission-driven school community centered on faith, character, and academic excellence
2. Genuine investment in curriculum innovation: teachers are curriculum designers, not just implementers
3. A collaborative, supportive faculty culture across a close-knit K–12 campus
4. Ongoing professional development aligned with our pedagogical philosophy
5. Competitive salary commensurate with experience

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and a brief statement of teaching philosophy (addressing your experience with or interest in inquiry-based science instruction) to principal@wiaschool.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Position Type

Start Date

Application Deadline

Contact

Name: Mi'raj Ahmad Riccio

Title: Principal

School Information

Washington International Academy

6408 Edsall Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312, USA

http://www.wiacademy.org

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