Middle School ELA Teacher, 5-8

Position Summary

Educating and inspiring a diverse community of K-12 learners by engaging them in rigorous real-world learning experiences which prioritize intellectual, social and emotional growth.

Vision

Tapestry is a vibrant, sustainable school that empowers learners and leaders to make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.

Values

• Perseverance
• Integrity
• Respect & Responsibility

Mission

Under the direction of the Middle School Principal, this position is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing an appropriate instructional program in a learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential.

Curriculum, Instructional and Assessment Responsibilities

• Adapt EL Education ELA Curriculum modules.
• Implement the principles and components of EL Education Core Practices.
• Plan, prepare and deliver project-based lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning and literacy strategies.
• Use relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.
• Observe and evaluate student's performance and development.
• Assign and grade class work, homework, tests and assignments.
• Work with Special Education, Literacy Specialists, and ELL teachers to collaborate with and plan for the needs of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and English Language Learners (ELL).
• Differentiate instruction and provide accommodations and support as needed.
• Actively seek to improve knowledge and skills to better address the needs of special education and ELL students.
• Incorporate diversity and culturally relevant content and wellness into curriculum and instruction throughout the school year.
• Ensure that all students see their culture(s) represented in curriculum and resources.
• Develop and revise clear criteria and standards for high quality work and regularly examine student work to ensure that it meets the high standards of quality.
• Display student work documenting the process of learning that went into creating high quality work.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student work using multiple assessment tools.
• Use assessment data to plan for instruction.
• Ensure collection and submission of data specified in the school's accountability plan.
• Utilize assessment for learning strategies to engage students in assessing their own understanding and mastery.
• Involves students in using learning targets for this purpose.

School Culture/Classroom Management Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students that includes SEL and restorative practices.
• Model, practice and discuss respectful, unbiased and effective communication with students.
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing norms, expectations, and procedures and building relationships as the foundation.
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.
• Commitment to the success of all children.
• Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain information for parents when requested, promptly return phone calls and answer emails.
• Engage students in age appropriate discussions of diversity and equity.
• Use student observations, questions, actions and reactions as teachable moments to issues that arise.
• Plan and facilitate team based daily crew lessons that directly connect to the NYS SEL Benchmarks.

Professional Development Responsibilities

• Demonstrates success in collaborative teaching, managing a mixed-ability classroom and facilitating performance-based learning.
• Participate in appropriate professional development activities.

Family Communication and Involvement

• Prepare progress summaries using the reporting procedures agreed upon by the teaching staff and the Principal.
• Collaborate as needed with other teachers.
• Conduct Student Led Conferences with families twice per year.
• Keep families informed about classroom activities and units of study through ongoing communication.
• Attend and participate in school events.
• Check voicemail and email daily and respond promptly or within 24 hours to requests from families, administrators and colleagues.

Qualifications/Knowledge of

• Principles, theories, methods, techniques, and strategies pertaining to teaching and instruction of elementary students and ELA education.
• Child growth and development and behavior characteristics of middle school students.
• Education curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, and the educational trends and research-based findings pertaining to student educational programming.
• Behavior management and behavior strategies, techniques, methods and conflict resolution procedures.
• Socio-economic and cultural background differences of general student population; Cultural responsiveness.
• Trained in interventions and tiers of RTI.
• Technology including devices and computer programs.
• Commitment to the success of all children.
• Demonstrates success in collaborative teaching, managing a mixed-ability classroom and facilitating performance-based learning.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Professional/Permanent certification in applicable grades/subject area with 3 years of teaching experience.
• A concentration in, master's degree, or higher, in English Language Arts.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in a classroom environment, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Repetitive motion including walking, bending, standing.
• Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers to complete typing, filing, and data entry.
• Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
• Position requires talking, walking, driving, speaking and comprehension of complex matters.