Teacher - Eighth Grade English Language Arts @ Frontier Middle School

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary & Benefits

POSITION OVERVIEW

The English Language Arts Teacher plays a vital role in fostering literacy, critical thinking, communication, and academic growth for middle level learners. This position is responsible for delivering rigorous, standards-aligned instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and language development while creating a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment where all students are supported to achieve at high levels. The teacher collaborates closely with colleagues through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), uses student data to guide instruction and interventions, and builds strong partnerships with families and the school community to support student success.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to culturally responsive practices, differentiated instruction, and continuous professional growth while supporting the district's mission of preparing every student for future success.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Valid Washington State Teacher certificate, K-8 Elementary Education endorsement and/or 4-12 English/Language Arts endorsement preferred.

* Middle school teaching experience preferred.

* Ability to communicate in Spanish or Russian preferred:

* Willingness to participate in cultural diversity training and AVID training.

* Have experience with, knowledge of, skill in, and support of Professional Learning Communities.

* Have experience, knowledge, and skill working with the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and New Assessments.

* Willingness to work in co-curricular program.

* Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the district may find appropriate and acceptable.

DEMONSTRATED ABILITIES:

* Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, and community.

* Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a building team.

* Ability to effectively manage middle level students.

* Previous experience working with a middle level team preferred.

Centering instruction on high expectation for student achievement by:

* Communicating expectations verbally and in writing for learning and achievement.

* Consistently conveying rigorous expectations to students and parents.

* Demonstrating how results impact daily instruction.

* Conducting learning activities that are aligned to lesson objectives and priority standards.

Demonstrates effective teaching practices by:

* Effectively utilizing research based instructional practices.

* Aligning instructional behaviors with best practices of the learning process.

* Remaining current in content related pedagogy.

* Structuring and pacing to the appropriate level of the learners.

* Utilizing questioning that requires higher level thinking skills.

* Clearly articulating directions and teaching necessary procedures in order for students to be successful.

* Effectively modify curriculum and differentiate instructional practices to support student learning.

Recognizes individual student learning needs and develops strategies to address those needs by:

* Knowing and utilizing intervention strategies under the appropriate conditions.

* Differentiating the learning activities to address the developmental characteristics of his/her students.

* Demonstrating a persistent attitude that all students can learn.

* Communicating the individual needs of students.

* Communicating clear learning targets.

* Providing a student friendly lesson and unit structure.

* Ensuring instructional materials and resources are aligned and appropriate for the learning target.

* Activating prior knowledge to support learning.

* Identifying the critical content to be taught within the time allotted.

Fosters and manages a safe, positive learning environment by:

* Establishing positive relationships with all students.

* Consistently monitoring student behavior and rewarding and correcting frequently in a respectful manner.

* Organizing the environment and the lesson to the extent that transitions between activities do not take away from instructional time.

Uses multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student learning by:

* Using data to modify instruction as appropriate.

* Assessing student learning multiple times throughout a lesson.

* Instructing students to self-assess and monitor their own progress.

* Frequently asking students to reflect on their own learning.

* Using a variety of formative assessments.

Communicates and Collaborates with parents and school community by:

* Initiating communication with parents beyond the mandatory reporting requirements.

* Communicating important aspects of the instructional program to parents in order to engage them with their child's education.

* Providing meaningful information to parents about individual students.

Exhibits, collaborates and engages in collegial practices by:

* Contributing to the PLC/Data Team on a regular basis.

* Consistently seeking ways to improve.

* Demonstrating the ability to make decisions in the best interest of students.

* Maintaining a positive relationship with his or her…