Employment

List of 1 items.

List of 4 items.

• Assistant Director of the Upper School for Boys

  Annie Wright Schools seek an Assistant Director of the Upper School for Boys to begin on August 1, 2026. This full-time position reports to the Director of Upper Schools and works closely with the Assistant Director of the Upper School for Girls.

  
  

  Mission Statement

  Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.

  About AWS

  Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for Girls and Boys offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

  Position Description

  The Assistant Director of the Upper School for Boys is an energetic and visionary educator committed to empowering young men and collaborating with colleagues to support adolescent growth. Annie Wright Schools values the benefits of single-gender education. With both an Upper School for Boys (USB) and an Upper School for Girls (USG) on campus, the school intentionally cultivates a positive coeducational social environment while championing single-gender learning in its Upper School classrooms.
  
  

  Grounded in integrity, the Assistant Director of the USB recognizes collaboration as essential to supporting the identity development of high school students and fostering a strong, connected culture across divisions. In partnership with the Director of Upper Schools, fellow Assistant Directors, faculty, advisors, and other community members, the Assistant Director supports student programming while also advancing new opportunities for engagement and growth. This role plays a key part in guiding USB students through their high school experience and toward graduation as empathetic, responsible individuals prepared to contribute meaningfully to the world.

  
  As a steward of student culture and well-being, the Assistant Director safeguards the social and emotional health of USB students. In collaboration with Upper School leadership, they design and implement programming that promotes belonging, representation, and a deep engagement with learning, while also leading conversations about community, responsibility, and shared values. Working closely with the Director of Upper Schools, the Assistant Director helps develop and strengthen programming with a focus on growth—particularly in the areas of academic self-advocacy, cultivating emotional awareness and communication in young men, and social engagement.

  Position Overview: Core Duties and Responsibilities

  The Assistant Director of the Upper School for Boys:

  • works with the Director of the Upper Schools to oversee the student life program and student culture of the Upper School for Boys;
  • supports student culture, access, and belonging, and designs USB student life programs aligned with the Schools’ Preschool-Grade 12 mission of equity and inclusion;
  • works with the Director of Upper Schools and the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs to support students and faculty in upholding the Schools’ community standards and the expectations outlined in the Upper Schools handbooks relating to academic integrity and student behavior;
  • creates and oversees a USB advisory program that supports students’ identity development, emotional literacy, social integrity, and leadership, which complements a parallel program in the USG;
  • coordinates with the Assistant Director of the Upper School for Girls, planning and implementing the opening orientations, single gender grade level retreats, and all coordinate social event planning; 
  • advocates for the social and emotional wellness of USB students in partnership with the Learning Support Director, Athletics and Arts Departments, and the Upper Schools Counselors;
  • counsels students and parents in extracurricular, social, and behavioral issues;
  • supervises a calendar accessible to USB students which supports both a cohesive Upper Schools student life program as well as affirming established traditions in a learning environment that serves boys;
  • fosters a balanced, equitable, and affirming culture in the Upper School for Boys;
  • leads the USB student government (s)Elective in accordance with the responsibilities of a (s)Elective leader;
  • fulfills other duties as assigned and reports directly to the Director of the Upper Schools.

  Qualifications

  The Assistant Director of the Upper School for Boys will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list, and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Assistant Director: 

  • holds a BA in education, education leadership, or a related field;
  • has experience as a teacher, coach, or advisor;
  • is familiar with independent schools, and/or demonstrates familiarity with the International Baccalaureate and its programs;
  • creates fun in school life, while maintaining the boundaries of a trusted adult;
  • is able to navigate both coeducational and single-gender educational spaces and speak to the benefits of both;
  • demonstrates effective cultural competence skills and knowledge of adolescent development related to identity, bias, and empowerment;
  • exhibits a capacity to build an equitable and inclusive community through a deep knowledge of systemic oppression and how it plays a role in school culture;
  • is a strong written and verbal communicator and empathetic listener, and understands the nuances of communicating with a range of constituencies, including students, colleagues, and families
  • values collaboration and has a desire to learn from others;
  • has excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.

  Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time;
  • Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
  • Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families. 

  Salary & Benefits

  This position offers a salary range between $74,000 and $90,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life insurance
  • Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year
  • Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2026
  • Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
  • All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days  
  • A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match, with a 3% employee contribution

  Application process

  Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

   

  To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email, and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.

• Lower School Classroom Teacher, Long-Term Substitute

  Annie Wright is seeking a Limited Duration, Lower School Classroom Teacher to begin Friday, August 21, 2026. This is a full-time, benefited, long-term substitute position that reports directly to the Director of the Lower School. This position is expected to be through Friday, December 18, 2026. We have two long- term sub positions, one in Grade 2 and one in Grade 4.

   

  Mission Statement

  Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.

   

  About AWS

  Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serves students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs for Preschool through Grade 8. In Grades 9 through 12, boys and girls attend separate Upper Schools, with options for both day and boarding students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

  
  

  Position Description

  The Classroom Teacher in the Lower School at Annie Wright is an enthusiastic educator, passionate about supporting our youngest students in their beginning journey into school. Leading with joy, they understand that learning through play is the work of the preschool student, and the teacher’s role is to guide and support. The Classroom Teacher is experienced in creating learning opportunities in the classroom where students can practice and acquire social and emotional skills, as well as foundational academic skills. 
  
  

  Through inquiry and discovery about themselves and the world around them, the Classroom Teacher leads the students through the Primary Years Programme. Guiding students on this pathway of learning includes the development of conceptual understandings, relevant knowledge and skills, and the attributes of a life-long learner and global citizen. The Classroom Teacher cultivates curiosity and exploration surrounding the themes of Who we are, How we express ourselves, How the world works, and Sharing the planet. The Classroom Teacher, in short, helps instill a sense of belonging in every student.
  
  

  The Classroom Teacher honors the agency of each learner and incorporates their questions and interests into classroom activities and inquiries, building an awareness in each student of the learning process. They employ strategies to help students build resilience and growth mindsets that enable them to meet challenges with tenacity and endurance. The Classroom Teacher understands that the development of skills at this unique age can be unbalanced and works to meet the student where they are, acknowledging that the learning journey over the course of a school year is quite remarkable for a three or four-year-old.
  Working with students, this person creates a nurturing and stimulating learning environment where inquiry-led and play-based learning flourish. 

  
  The work of a Classroom Teacher is unique and is most successful when done as part of a team. They actively engage with the grade level teaching team, Specialist teachers, the Primary Years Programme Coordinator, and students, in a continual process of creating, refining, implementing, and reflecting on the transdisciplinary units of inquiry that captivate, illuminate, and stretch both students and teachers. This collective work culminates in the completion of in-depth unit planners, which document and hold teaching teams accountable for teaching and learning best practices. Through regular collaboration with the teaching team, the Student Support Team, and the family, the Classroom teacher understands that the student is best served when they are kept at the very center. Drawing on their strengths and supporting the students’ whole selves, the Classroom Teacher creates a positive learning environment so that all students can thrive.

  
  Position Overview: Duties & Responsibilities

  The Lower School Classroom Teacher, Long-Term Sub:

  • teaches in alignment with the mission and philosophy of Annie Wright Schools and with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework; 
  • designs and teaches PYP units and educational experiences in collaboration with other grade-level teachers, subject specialist teachers, the PYP coordinator, and learning specialists;
  • collaborates with other faculty, the Director of Lower School, Specialist Teachers, and the Lower School Counselor to develop programming and monitor student progress; 
  • builds and maintains a professional relationship with parents, providing them with feedback through weekly grade level blog posts, conferences, written Progress Reports, and other correspondence as needed; 
  • participates in collaborative planning and faculty meetings and fulfills other duties as assigned. 

  Qualifications

  The Lower School Classroom Teacher, Long-Term Sub, will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list, and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Classroom Teacher:

  • holds a BA in Education or a related field;
  • has a minimum of three (3) years of experience in early childhood education;
  • is familiar with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme; 
  • demonstrates familiarity with best practices in learning, differentiation, and teaching; flexibility; an understanding of and enthusiasm to work with and care for Lower School students; and the desire to collaborate as part of a team.
  • is a strong communicator and empathetic listener;
  • practices cultural humility in personal interactions;
  • And, is eligible to work in the United States. Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.

  Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods;
  • Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom and outdoor playground space, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
  • Must be able to navigate the stairs on campus;
  • Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods;
  • Must be able to communicate and exchange information with teachers, young children, and families. 

  Salary & Benefits

  This position offers a salary of $1,520 per 40 hour week (prorated based on any time missed). Benefits available to the hired candidate for the Classroom Teacher, Long-term Substitute include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life insurance
  • Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Washington State Sick Leave
  • Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2026
  • A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match, with a 3% employee contribution

  Application Process

  Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community, and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

   

  To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email, and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.

• Upper Schools (USs) Social Studies

  Annie Wright Schools is seeking an Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher to begin on August 21, 2026. This is a full-time faculty position that reports directly to the Upper Schools Division Director.

  
  

  Mission Statement

  Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.

   

  About AWS

  Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

  
  

  Position Description

  The Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher encourages students to explore, analyze, examine, question, and ultimately inspires students to understand the world and their place in it through a more critical and well-informed lens. In both academic and co-curricular spaces, the Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher mentors, guides, and advocates for student voice and exploration.

  As a core member of the Upper Schools faculty, the Social Studies Teacher works with the Upper Schools’ Division Director and other faculty to continuously assess the curriculum and review best practices, helps build a culture of inquiry anchored in playfulness and balance, and is integral in supporting and developing students who embody the school’s mission and vision. 

  As a member of the school’s social studies department, the Social Studies Teacher collaborates with their departmental team with guidance from our Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and Upper Schools’ Division Director. The Social Studies Teacher contributes to the development of students as creative thinkers and problem solvers, enabling them to become lifelong learners who are curious about understanding and improving the world through the study of individuals and societies. The Annie Wright Schools social studies faculty aspires to develop critical thinking, analytical writing, and a multiplicity of perspectives in our students. Our faculty strives to collaborate effectively to provide equitable, high-quality experiences that are rigorous, creative, and relevant to all our students.

  
  

  Position Overview: Duties and Responsibilities

  The Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher:

  • Teaches four or five Social Studies courses in alignment with the mission and philosophy of Annie Wright Schools and with the International Baccalaureate framework; 
  • If teaching four sections, runs an after-school (s)Elective in an area of passion and/or expertise;
  • Implements curriculum based on best practices in teaching, student-centered instruction, and relevant educational technologies; 
  • Reports to the Upper Schools Division Director
  • Participates actively in after-school and extra-curricular programming along with other members of the faculty to understand students outside as well as inside the classroom;
  • Fulfills all faculty duties, which can include serving as an advisor, and maintains good communication with families about student progress. 

  Qualifications

  The Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list, and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Upper Schools Social Studies Teacher:

  • Holds a BA in history, political science, or a related field; 
  • Has experience as a teacher of social studies at the high school level and/or middle school;
  • Is familiar with independent schools and/or the International Baccalaureate framework; 
  • Is a strong communicator and empathetic listener;
  • Practices cultural humility in personal interactions;
  • Is innovative and playful;
  • Is a mentor, a guide, and a team builder; 
  • Demonstrates an ability to form authentic relationships with high school students;
  • Demonstrates proficiency in educational technologies;
  • Is eligible to work in the United States.

  Physical Requirements

  • Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods;
  • Must be able to move comfortably around a classroom, accessing materials and assisting students as needed;
  • Must be able to communicate and exchange information with students, other teachers, and families. 
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 

  Salary & benefits

  This position offers a salary range between $60,000 and $90,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available to the hired candidate include the following, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Life insurance
  • Accidental death & dismemberment insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Paid sick leave (known as Wellness Days): Each regular full-time employee earns 80 hours of Wellness leave per accrual year
  • Eighteen (18) paid Holidays in 2026
  • Fifty percent (50%) Tuition remission in accordance with school policy. All fees and incidental expenses are the sole responsibility of the employee-parent
  • All children of benefited employees of AWS, who are currently enrolled at AWS, are eligible for extended day services at no charge when school is in session. Charges apply for faculty in-service days or similar days  
  • A 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% company match with a 3% employee contribution. 

  Application Process

  Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment-related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community, and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

   

  To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email, and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.

• Substitute Teachers (Lower & Middle Schools)

  Annie Wright is seeking Substitute Teachers in the Lower School (Preschool-Grade 5) and Middle School (Grades 6-8) for the 2025-2026 academic year. This is a part-time, hourly position. 
  
  

  Mission Statement
  Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society.
   
  About AWS
  Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.
  
  

  Position description
  The Substitute Teacher at Annie Wright fills in for absent teachers as needed and allows a smooth transition for students to continue with their school day and week. They are experienced in working with children, and ideally have classroom teaching experience to help guide them. They are flexible and comfortable with the unknowns that come with subbing in a class in which you are not the teacher, and are able to follow lesson plans left for them, as well as coming up with additional activities should the need arise. Substitute teachers at Annie Wright are skillful at engaging children, approach them with a positive attitude and find joy in spending the day in the classroom. They are not afraid to ask for help, and are comfortable giving feedback if the day or process did not go as planned.  
  
  

  Position Overview: duties & responsibilities
  Substitute Teachers:
  
  

  • provide instruction and fulfill duties during the short-term absence of faculty; aid students in their daily tasks, help ensure their understanding of subject matter and use materials provided by absent teachers to attain lesson goals;
  • manage classroom behavior in a positive way and reach out to other faculty members for support as needed and manage classroom procedures, including taking attendance and maintaining orderly classrooms and student work, in compliance with the school’s procedures, guidelines, and policies;
  • and maintain a professional attitude in all manner of conduct with students, faculty, and parents, including a commitment to confidentiality.

  
  Qualifications
  The Substitute Teacher will demonstrate key elements of the expertise and experiences listed above. This is an aspirational list and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Substitute Teacher:
  
  

  • holds a BA in education or a related field (teaching certification is a plus);
  • has experience working with and/or teaching youth;
  • is detail-oriented and demonstrate the ability to follow written and oral instructions;
  • demonstrates effective and appropriate communication with students, faculty, and staff, and parents;
  • demonstrates the ability to cultivate relationships with students in a short period of time;
  • exhibits confidence and capability in providing instruction;
  • is willing and able to work while standing for most of the day, with few breaks to sit (especially for Lower School Substitute Teachers);
  • is available on short notice and on a regular basis, and respond promptly to requests for substituting;
  • is available from 7:30 am-3:30 pm,
  • And, is eligible to work in the United States. (Note: Under our current employment policies, we are unable to sponsor work visas and do not offer positions to candidates who are not yet eligible to work in the United States.)

  
  

  Compensation
  Compensation includes an hourly wage of $23.75/hour. Lunch is provided.
  
  

  Application process
  Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 
  
  

  To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled.