K-12 Director of Experiential Learning

University School of Nashville

K-12 Director of Experiential Learning

August 2025

University School of Nashville is seeking a K-12 Director of Experiential Learning with experience and expertise in deepening the connections between classroom learning and the world beyond USN by providing students more hands on, authentic learning experiences that are imbued with an ethic of inclusion and community engagement through the core academic program of the school. 

The Director of Experiential Learning will provide leadership and vision in the ongoing planning, implementation, development, direction, review and evaluation of global experiences, community engagement, and experiential partnerships. This role will require collaboration with faculty to integrate and connect the experiences for their students. 

This is a full-time position for the 2025-2026 school year. Responsibilities include collaborating with divisional leadership, partnering with faculty and staff across K-12, building programming that aligns with USN’s strategic plan, supporting student organizations, advising a group of 8-10 high school students, and actively participating in the life of the school. 

USN has a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces. Candidates should be knowledgeable of research on how implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity and socioeconomic class can shape curricula and pedagogy, classroom culture, and student outcomes. Candidates should be able to translate that knowledge into demonstrable actions that promote equitable and just teaching and learning.  

Qualifications include at least a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in education or an applicable field preferred, high school or college teaching experience, the ability to teach a range of levels, an appreciation and experience in a diverse school community, and history of establishing and sustaining successful partnerships.  

The School

University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of 1,080 students kindergarten through twelfth grade.  In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School (PDS), USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville. 

USN’s midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings 110 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant academic community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

In the USN community, students expect much of each other, and the faculty benefits from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their learning to complement their teaching, and we offer many opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants. 

Classroom teachers are expected to work from 7:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined below.  Teachers must have regular and predictable attendance at school; be on time each day; be focused and responsible for independent supervision of a class of 20 or more students; be able to communicate positively and productively with students, parents, and colleagues; and handle routine administrative duties, such as cafeteria duty, taking attendance, filling out reports, ordering new materials, and cooperating with requests made by the administration.  

Application Process

Those interested in being considered for this position should complete the online application for this position available at www.usn.org/jobs. Applications for this position will be accepted until April 23, 2025. Please be prepared to upload the following items through USN's online application for this position: Cover Letter and Resume.

Classroom teachers are expected to work from 7:30 p.m to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, carrying out the duties and responsibilities outlined below.  Teachers must have regular and predictable attendance at school; be on time each day; be focused and responsible for independent supervision of a class of 20 or more students; be able to communicate positively and productively with students, parents, and colleagues; and handle routine administrative duties, such as hall and cafeteria duty, car pool and dismissal duty (AM and PM), taking attendance, filling out reports, ordering new materials, and cooperating with requests made by the administration.  

Specific Teaching Responsibilities:

• Maintains student attention
  • Maximize time on task
  • Use activities that are developmentally appropriate to foster attention
• Maintains momentum of lesson
  • Prepare well-planned lessons, including instructional objectives and materials.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of content
  • Handle intrusions with a minimum of disruption to the flow of the lesson
  • Anticipate trouble spots and be flexible
  • Prepare students for transitions
• Communicates expectations to students
  • Set high expectations for achievement, effort, and attitude
  • Provide students with clear expectations for performance and learning with a positive expectancy
  • Give prompt and appropriate feedback
• Demonstrates clarity of presentation
  • State lesson objectives 
  • Develop lessons with appropriately sequenced activities
  • Use a multi-modal approach (e.g., employing methods that are effective for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners)
  • Speak in a clear and well-modulated voice
  • Check and probe for understanding using an appropriate mix of questions
  • Provide for linkage between ideas
  • Summarize the lesson
  • Demonstrate efficient use of time and space
  • Provide sufficient time for learning and practicing
  • Circulate and assist students
  • Maintain awareness of available class time
  • Arrange space to enhance learning activity
  • Create a classroom environment that enhances current learning and features student work.
  • Encourage student participation and responsibility for the classroom community
  • Maintain classroom and its equipment

• Evaluates student progress
  • Inform students of evaluation criteria
  • Check student progress through observations, work samples, assessments, conferences, and student evaluation.
  • Create a range of assessments that accurately reflect the material taught
  • Provide quick and constructive feedback in a discrete manner
  • Maintain well-organized records
• Seek assistance and guidance from available resources, including administrators, mentors, department chairs, grade level deans, counselors, learning specialists, health room staff, and technology department
• Demonstrate ability to function positively as a contributing member of a team.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately with parents, including written communications sent home, at parent education meetings, during parent conferences, and at the numerous points of contact among teachers, parents, and community members.