"Instructor of Physics"

Job Details

The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) seeks an exceptional physics instructor to teach advanced high school students. This is a full-time, on-campus teaching position with a 10-month academic appointment beginning Fall 2026.

Applicants should have a master’s degree in physics or a related field and experience teaching at a college or advanced high school level.

Courses at GSSM are taught at a level comparable to college courses and are modeled on a college schedule and teaching environment. We offer in-person courses to our residential students in Hartsville, SC, as well as virtual courses to students across the state of South Carolina. The successful candidate should be prepared to teach mainly in-person residential courses and possibly some synchronous virtual courses, based on the needs of the physics department.

Successful candidates will be able to teach a full year of algebra-based or calculus-based introductory physics with a weekly lab covering topics of mechanics, waves, electricity, and magnetism. GSSM encourages the introduction and development of new special topic elective courses. A full list of courses currently taught can be found at www.scgssm.org. The typical lab course load is 3:3.

Instructors are expected to maintain regular office hours, attend committee meetings, and have occasional evening/weekend commitments. A public-school teaching certificate is not required. Salary is competitive and commensurate with credentials, experience, and unique capabilities.

Responsibilities of the Physics Instructor:

• Develop course content and methodology to achieve demonstrable student achievement in the area of instruction. Develop a student evaluation system for course content and instructional methods.
• Set and maintain appropriate class and/or lab and instruction schedules. Explore, develop, and, when appropriate, implement innovative methodology for successful instruction.
• Work with the Department Chair and/or the VP for Academics in developing, setting, and sharing successful instructional methods.
• Work with students in and out of the classroom and counsel students to increase their understanding, comprehension, and effective demonstration of competency in the course(s). Set and maintain appropriate times for students to meet with the instructor to improve competency.
• Effectively monitor students' progress, identifying weaknesses and strengths and preparing a program to improve any deficiencies. Report achievements (grades) and academic problem areas in a timely manner as set by the Department Chair and/or the VP for Academics.
• Support school activities as a residential learning community by following school guidelines and procedures for all activities.
• Work with the Department Chair and/or VP for Academics in completing GSSM's employee evaluation und faculty growth procedures. As appropriate, support the school's mission as a full-time residential learning community and provider of outreach programs to improve education.
• All other duties assigned by the Department Chair and/or the VP for Academics.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A master's degree at minimum is required.
• Demonstrated successful teaching experience.
• Excellent communication and motivation skills for high academic results with the target student population.
• Classroom and student management skills (computer entry, grading, etc.)
• Some weekend and evening work is required.

Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in subject area.
• Experience with advanced/gifted high school-aged students.
• Demonstrated teaching experience in in-person, virtual, or hybrid modalities.

Additional Comments

The SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application.  Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.  Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education.  A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

All applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. This position is not available for sponsorship.

Employer: State of South Carolina