Language Arts Guide

Middle & High School

Starting September 1, 2026  ·  Jelsa, Croatia  ·  Ongoing

About The Field School of Hvar

The Field School of Hvar is an independent enrichment program located in Jelsa, on the island of Hvar, Croatia. We bring together children ages 3 through 15 from around the world for a year-round academic program grounded in experiential learning, close reading, and deep engagement with literature, history, and the natural world. Small groups, meaningful work, and genuine community are at the heart of everything we do.

Our curriculum is organized based on a chronological story of Western human development. In the 2026-27 academic year, we will be centered in pre-history, Ancient Greece, and Rome. All of these civilizations had significant presences on island Hvar and left vibrant traces of their culture. In year two, we will inhabit the Middle Ages and early Renaissance; in year three, the Modern era; and in year four, the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries.

About the Role

We are looking for a literature-loving educator to lead Language Arts for our two oldest groups: 12 children ages 11–12 (middle school) and 14 children ages 13–15 (secondary). You will meet with each group four times per week for 80 minutes per session. Sessions will generally take place outside, weather and other practicalities permitting.

Each session is divided roughly in half between close reading and discussion of a primary text, and preparation for a dramatic performance. You are not expected to be a drama director — a specialist collaborator will support the performance elements — but you should be comfortable facilitating literary discussion with older children and teenagers, and energized by the intersection of reading and making.

Language Arts Program

In the fall, both groups spend the fall in deep engagement with The Odyssey, with texts calibrated to each age group.

• Middle (ages 11–12): Rosemary Sutcliff’s The Wanderings of Odysseus, supported by the Garlic Press Discovering Literature guide

• High (ages 13–15): The Odyssey in the Fagles translation, also supported by the Garlic Press guide

Each 80-minute session divides roughly as follows:

• 40 minutes: Read-aloud, close reading, and Socratic discussion of the text. You will generally highlight a language arts concept in each lesson, such as meter or metonymy, from each reading as a starting point for discussion.

• 40 minutes: Rhapsode performance project — students work in small groups to prepare a dramatic performance in the tradition of the ancient rhapsode. A specialist collaborator will assist students with technical aspects of the performance. Your role is to support the process, highlighting important opportunities for language study and skill development. More about the Rhapsode project: fieldschoolhvar.org/rhapsody

Spring Semester: Apuleius and the New Testament

In spring, the literary focus shifts to new primary texts. The middle school group works with Apuleius’ The Golden Ass; the secondary group engages with New Testament as literature, both examining life at the outskirts of the Roman Empire. Sessions follow the same rhythm of close reading, discussion, and creative response developed in the fall.

Schedule and Responsibilities

Teaching Days

The school day runs 9:00am–4:00pm. Math and Language Arts take place in the morning, from 9:00am–12:00pm, followed by a faculty hour from 12:00–1:00pm. During the faculty hour, teachers manage assessment documentation, communicate with the administrative team, and prepare materials for the following day.

On Fridays, you will help students prepare and present a brief summary of the week’s work for parents. This is a valued part of how we keep families connected to their children’s learning.

Non-Teaching Day

One day each week (equivalent to one day in five) is reserved for non-teaching work, divided among three activities:

• Planning and administration — curriculum preparation, collaboration with other guides and specialist fellows, and coordination with the administrative team

• Workshop for local children — a free or low-cost offering for children from the Jelsa community who are enrolled in Croatian public school and cannot participate in the full program

• Workshop for community adults — open to Field School parents and local adults, connecting the school’s activities to a wider audience

Assessment and Documentation

There is very little formal grading. Instead, you will be expected to:

• Maintain ongoing observational notes on each student’s development

• Issue a brief weekly summary of work covered with each group

• Contribute to ongoing program assessment — what’s working, what needs adjustment

The administrative team manages parent communication, disciplinary matters, and family concerns. Teachers are not expected to interface with parents beyond the Friday presentations, community workshops, and everyday pleasantries. Our communication policies are described in detail in the staff handbook.

Annual Calendar

• Fall program: September 7 – November 28

• Winter: December through mid-March — equivalent to summer break at most schools. Teachers take their 20 days of mandated leave during this period; the remainder is used for planning, curriculum development, and preparation for spring.

• Spring program: March 13 – June 5

• Summer: Teachers work through the summer in support of the school’s summer programming and ongoing operations.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings several of the following:

• A strong foundation in literature or the humanities — through formal education, teaching experience, or sustained personal engagement

• Experience leading seminar-style or discussion-based learning with a group of middle or high school-age students

• Enthusiasm for classical literature and the questions it raises

• Comfort with student-led, open-ended work

• Warmth, adaptability, and ease working within a small, close-knit school community

Fluency in English is required. Croatian is not required but warmly welcomed.

Position Details

• Start date: September 1, 2026

• Duration: permanent (neodređeno) or from September 7-November 28, if the candidate prefers a seasonal contract

• Location: Jelsa, Hvar, Croatia (in-person)

• Groups: 12 children ages 11–12; 14 children ages 13–15

• Schedule: Part-time — 4 teaching sessions per week per group, 80 minutes each, plus one non-teaching day per week. Can be combined with other part-time roles at the school (Biology or Social Studies).

• Hours: 9:00am–1:00pm on teaching days

• Salary: €1,500 per month gross (bruto) plus 20% tuition discount

• Leave: 20 days, taken during the winter period (December – mid-March)

• Employment: Through FSHvar, Ltd. (Croatian entity)

Please apply through the form on our Careers page. We look forward to meeting you!