Science Teacher Grades 5-12 (Gilbert, AZ or Goodyear, AZ)

Job Description

Job Description

About ReThink Microschools

ReThink Microschools is a specialized educational institution exclusively serving students with high-functioning autism in grades K-12. We celebrate neurodiversity as a strength and provide personalized, rigorous education in small classroom settings. Our mission is to create learning environments where every student is seen, supported, and inspired to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate, innovative Science Teacher to join our mission-driven team. In this role, you'll teach science to small groups of students with high-functioning autism (maximum 8 per class). You'll have the unique opportunity to leverage students' natural curiosity, attention to detail, and systematic thinking to create transformative science learning experiences that are hands-on, inquiry-based, and deeply engaging.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Excellence

• Design and deliver engaging, differentiated science instruction across disciplines (Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
• Implement inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences that align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• Utilize visual supports, concrete demonstrations, and systematic investigations
• Make abstract scientific concepts concrete through experiments, models, and real-world applications
• Foster scientific thinking, observation skills, and evidence-based reasoning
• Connect science content to students' special interests and fascinations
• Break down complex processes into clear, sequential steps
• Provide structured lab experiences with explicit safety procedures and expectations

Autism-Affirming Support

• Develop individualized learning plans that build on student strengths in pattern recognition and logical thinking
• Recognize and accommodate sensory sensitivities during hands-on activities and labs
• Support executive function challenges (organizing materials, following multi-step procedures, lab reports)
• Provide clear, explicit instructions with visual lab protocols and procedure cards
• Build predictable lab routines while maintaining the excitement of scientific discovery
• Address science anxiety and build confidence through success-oriented investigations
• Leverage special interests (dinosaurs, astronomy, chemistry, animals, etc.) to drive engagement
• Teach scientific vocabulary explicitly with visual supports and real-world examples

Student Relationships & Communication

• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with students in our small class setting
• Understand and respect each student's communication style and social preferences
• Provide direct, specific feedback on scientific work and thinking
• Foster a growth mindset around scientific inquiry and "productive failure"
• Communicate regularly with families about discoveries, progress, and hands-on projects
• Collaborate with families to extend learning through home experiments and observations

Laboratory & Safety Management

• Maintain a safe, organized, and sensory-friendly science lab environment
• Teach and reinforce laboratory safety procedures explicitly
• Manage science materials, equipment, and living organisms responsibly
• Prepare demonstrations and experiments with attention to sensory considerations
• Ensure accessibility of all scientific tools and resources
• Document and communicate any safety concerns immediately

Collaboration & Professional Growth

• Work closely with support staff, therapists, and educational team
• Participate in ongoing professional development in autism education and science pedagogy
• Contribute to curriculum development and STEM program improvement
• Share effective strategies and successful experiments with colleagues
• Maintain accurate records of student progress, lab work, and scientific portfolios
• Coordinate field trips to science museums, nature centers, and research facilities

Classroom Environment

• Create an organized, sensory-friendly science classroom space
• Implement visual supports
• Establish clear expectations and consistent routines for investigations
• Balance hands-on exploration with structured procedures
• Use autism-affirming language that celebrates different ways of observing and thinking
• Celebrate neurodivergent approaches to scientific problem-solving

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Science, Science Education, or related field (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, etc.)
• Valid Arizona teaching certification (or ability to obtain)
• Vaild IVP Card
• Experience teaching science at the K-12 level
• Demonstrated understanding of autism spectrum characteristics
• Strong content knowledge across multiple science disciplines
• Ability to conduct safe, engaging hands-on laboratory experiences
• Excellent communication skills with students, families, and colleagues
• Commitment to autism-affirming, neurodiversity-celebrating education
• Patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm for scientific discovery

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Science Education, Special Education, or STEM field
• Special education certification or autism endorsement
• Direct classroom experience teaching students with autism
• Training in NGSS, inquiry-based learning, or project-based science
• Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and differentiation
• Understanding of executive function challenges and compensatory strategies
• Experience with visual supports, task analysis, and structured teaching methods
• Familiarity with science-related assistive technology and educational apps
• Background in environmental education, citizen science, or STEM programs
• Experience maintaining classroom animals, plants, or ecosystems

Essential Attributes:

• Deep respect for neurodivergent learners and their unique perspectives
• Genuine enthusiasm for making science accessible and exciting
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and safety-conscious mindset
• Ability to explain complex phenomena in clear, concrete terms
• Growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning
• Collaborative spirit and team-oriented approach
• Creativity in designing experiments that accommodate sensory needs
• Understanding that many autistic students have exceptional observational skills

Understanding Our Students

Our students with high-functioning autism are naturally gifted scientific thinkers who may:

• Excel in systematic observation, pattern recognition, and attention to detail
• Demonstrate intense focus on topics of interest
• Prefer concrete, visual, and hands-on learning over abstract lectures
• Need additional support with executive function, organization, and multi-step procedures
• Require explicit instruction in collaborative group work and scientific communication
• Have deep knowledge in specific areas of science (e.g., paleontology, astronomy, entomology)
• Benefit from predictable lab routines and clear safety expectations
• Experience sensory sensitivities to sounds, textures, or smells in experiments
• Think systematically—making them natural scientists
• Ask profound questions that push scientific thinking

Your role is to nurture their scientific minds and help them see themselves as scientists.

What We Offer

• Transformative Impact: Small class sizes allow you to deeply mentor each young scientist
• Creative Freedom: Design experiments and investigations tailored to student interests
• Specialized Training: Ongoing professional development in autism education and science pedagogy
• Collaborative Culture: Work with passionate educators committed to the same mission
• Resources & Materials: Access to lab equipment, science curricula, and hands-on supplies
• Field Trip Opportunities: Take students to science museums, observatories, nature preserves
• Meaningful Relationships: Time to build genuine connections with students and families
• Reasonable Workload: Manageable class sizes and dedicated planning/prep time
• Competitive Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

A Day in the Life

Your typical day might include:

• Conducting a hands-on experiment on states of matter with visual lab procedures
• Facilitating small group observations of classroom ecosystems
• Supporting a student's independent research project on their special interest (black holes, volcanoes, sharks)
• Collaborating with colleagues to integrate science with math and literacy
• Documenting student observations through photos, videos, and lab journals
• Communicating with families about upcoming projects and home extension activities
• Celebrating "aha moments" when scientific concepts click
• Witnessing students' eyes light up during an unexpected experimental result

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and move around the classroom and lab for extended periods
• Ability to remain calm and regulated during student dysregulation
• Flexibility to engage in outdoor learning (nature walks, observations, field work)
• Capability to manage potential allergens, chemicals, and living organisms safely