Social Studies Teacher- MS grades 7 & 8

SUMMARY OF FUNCTION:

Demonstrate the competencies and behaviors needed to improve student preparedness and mastery and to support the core values, vision, and mission of the New Buffalo Area Schools District.

• Demonstrates mastery of related subject matter, instructional skills, and resources for course(s) taught.
• Creates lesson plans, aligned with current state and district standards, which drives instruction through formative assessment and differentiation.
• Maintains a safe, organized classroom, which supports students’ independent learning, collaboration and choice.
• Utilizes a variety of effective instructional and management techniques.
• Provides a variety of assessments and uses assessments for planning and instruction.
• Provides consistent, immediate feedback to student learning and asks analytical questions that elicit students’ responses that incorporate prior knowledge, life experience and interests that are directly related to the content objectives.
• Monitors and maintains a positive classroom environment that supports the school-wide behavior expectation in which most students are engaged, incorporates mutual respect and provides cooperative learning opportunities.
• Uses available technology/instructional media to enhance the students’ learning experiences.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members by communicating in a tactful, courteous, and confidential manner.
• Appropriately communicates and interacts with other professional staff in academic planning and school committee work.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and extra-curricular/school-related activities and committees.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional growth and works with administrators to formulate and complete professional development plans.
• Maintains a professional appearance, and demonstrates behavior that is conscientious and responsible.
• Engages parents and guardians in the education of their children.
• Communicates with parents frequently and in a timely manner.
• Does not engage in discriminatory practices on any basis, including race, origin, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, or political beliefs.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the site administrator.

• Knowledge and application of New Buffalo Area Schools District and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and application of appropriate teaching strategies and methods.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school district.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications and equipment.

• Specialized teaching assignments may require additional training and/or certification.
• Must be able to pass an initial fingerprint and background clearance check and maintain a valid fingerprint clearance card at all times when in the classroom.
• May be required to demonstrate fluency in foreign language(s) as well as English (written & oral).

• Frequently stand for long periods of time.
• Bend, stretch, twist, and reach out.

Applicants must be appropriately certified AND highly qualified. To be appropriately certified and highly qualified, successful candidates must hold a current teaching certificate with RX endorsement issued by the Michigan Department of Education.

Experience preferred.