About Us
The Fessenden School is an all-boys independent day and boarding school serving 540 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 9th Grade in West Newton, MA. Our mission is to cultivate each boy’s talents and develop in balance his character, mind, and body in an inclusive and joyful community. For over 100 years, The Fessenden School has offered state-of-the-art facilities, curriculum, and programs specifically designed to meet the educational needs of boys.
Position Summary
The Fessenden School seeks an inspiring and innovative Woodworking Teacher to join our Arts Department. This is a unique opportunity to guide students in Grades 7–9 as they explore their creativity, develop confidence, and master woodworking skills. The Woodworking Teacher will encourage students to take artistic and intellectual risks and express their ideas through fine craftsmanship. Additionally, the teacher will maintain the Woodshop and its equipment, collaborate with our Theater Director on set design and construction, and serve as an Upper School Advisor.
Position: Upper School Woodworking Teacher
Status: Full-Time, Benefits-Eligible, Exempt
Department: Arts
Reports to: Director of Arts and Head of Upper School
Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:30 pm; Dates: Orientation on August 18 and 19, 2025; School year August 25, 2025 - June 9, 2026
Key Responsibilities
- Teach and Inspire: Deliver dynamic and engaging woodworking lessons that spark curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage students to explore their artistic talents and interests.
- Foster Growth: Create a supportive environment where students feel confident to take risks, learn from mistakes, and build resilience.
- Design Curriculum: Develop and implement an age-appropriate and project-based woodworking curriculum that balances skill development with artistic expression.
- Maintain Woodshop: Oversee the maintenance and safety of tools, equipment, and materials, ensuring a safe and welcoming space for all students.
- Collaborate with Theater: Work with the Theater Director to design and construct sets for mainstage productions, engaging students in meaningful cross-disciplinary projects.
- Advise and Mentor: Serve as an Upper School Advisor, providing guidance, building relationships, and supporting students’ personal and academic growth.
- Contribute to Community:
- Actively participate in the life of the school by attending meetings, grade-level activities, and school events.
- Support extracurricular programs such as coaching sports, facilitating clubs, or leading grade trips.
- Integrate Core Values:
- Actively teach and model the School’s core values of honesty, compassion, and respect to nurture students' academic and character development.
- Participate Actively: Engage in faculty meetings, professional development opportunities, and supervisory responsibilities, such as drop-off, dismissal, and recess.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Required Qualifications
- A passion for working with middle school students and a commitment to their growth and development.
- Expertise in woodworking and the ability to teach the associated skills effectively.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain a safe and productive Woodshop environment.
- Enthusiasm for boys’ education and the ability to build meaningful relationships with students.
- A commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in teaching practices.
- Successful criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in education, fine arts, or a related field.
- Experience in teaching woodworking or related disciplines.
- Familiarity with integrating technology and design principles into woodworking projects.
- Experience in set design and construction for theater productions.
Why Join Us?
The Fessenden School offers:
- A supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community that supports creative teaching methods.
- A robust professional development budget that provides for school support professional growth and collaboration opportunities.
- A focus on educating the whole boy—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically—through dynamic programming and an emphasis on character development.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities; Pallotta Athletic Center, Sacerdote Science Center, Congoli Center for Innovation, and the Elfers Center for the Arts.
- Daily hot lunch and assorted salad bar options.
- Class sizes from 12 to 15 students
- Diverse representation in Senior Leadership positions
To Apply
Submit an application through Fessenden’s Career Site. Please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
The Fessenden School encourages applications from candidates with diverse or minority backgrounds.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Fessenden School believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.
