Teacher - First

About the District

Polk County Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the nation, encompassing more than 120 schools and serving over 117,000 students through traditional K‑12 schools and a variety of other programs. As it expands its physical footprint, the district has built a reputation for educational excellence, with more than 20 nationally accredited workforce academies, five Florida Arts Model Schools, and a growing number of schools offering Advanced Placement and Cambridge International programs.

The mission of Polk County Public Schools is to provide a high‑quality education for all students.

• Plan and implement a program of instruction that adheres to the district’s philosophy, goals, and objectives outlined in the adopted courses of study.
• Make purposeful and appropriate lesson plans that provide effective teaching strategies and maximize time on task.
• Plan and implement a program of study designed to meet individual student needs.
• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies.
• Encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good study habits.
• Provide progress and interim reports as required.
• Prepare a substitute folder containing appropriate information as requested by the building principal.
• Plan and prescribe purposeful assignments for paraprofessionals, tutors, and volunteers as needed.
• Recognize learning problems and make referrals as appropriate.
• Demonstrate a strong grasp of subject matter and use effective oral and written expression.

• Maintain current subject matter knowledge and learning theory, and share this knowledge to improve the school’s curriculum.
• Assist in the ongoing curriculum revision process, including revision of written courses of study.
• Assist in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Become acquainted with supplemental services beneficial to students as an extension of regular classroom activities.

• Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate discipline techniques in accordance with district and building guidelines.
• Takes precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Share responsibility for supervision of students during the school day in all areas of the school.
• Provide supervision of assigned students when circumstances require brief absence from the assignment.

• Uphold and enforce board policy, administrative procedures, and school rules and regulations; support them to the public.
• Maintain appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Communicate the positive aspects of the school program to the public in words and deeds.
• Work cooperatively with parents to strengthen the educational program for their children.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with other staff.

• Continue professional growth through attendance at workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced coursework at institutions of higher learning.
• Maintain membership in appropriate professional organizations.
• Cooperate with administration in planning in‑service training programs at building or district level.
• Attend staff, department, and committee meetings as required.

• Evaluate student accomplishments on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods such as teacher‑made tests, student work samples, mastery skills check lists, criterion‑referenced tests, and norm‑referenced tests.
• Make appropriate adjustments in the instructional program based on assessment results.
• Perform duties necessary to maintain the accountability required for the instructional program as mandated by the building principal.
• Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with professional ethics and state and federal laws.

• Work cooperatively with parents, school districts, and agencies to provide student services.
• Develop concepts and ideas and relate both orally…