Middle School Spanish Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY

The Spanish teacher for Middle School is responsible for teaching students, co-advising a group of students, and participating in the life and community of the school. In addition to daily responsibilities, this teacher is expected to participate in, and lead, activities that include but are not limited to extra-curricular, experiential, and community engagement across grade levels.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Teach four sections of Spanish to middle school students, supporting student learning and social-emotional development.
• Work collaboratively with fellow faculty and administrators in curriculum design, assessment, and instruction as it pertains to specific grade levels and program, applying a lens of cultural responsivity
• Work with students to help them develop curiosity, creativity, teamwork, resilience, empathy, independence, time management, and responsible decision making
• Communicate in a clear and timely fashion with parents/guardians, students, and colleagues
• Have a high collegial quotient and be a committed and dedicated team player
• Regularly attend, actively listen, and contribute to meetings
• Coincide and implement, at the classroom level, appropriate student assessments and utilize assessment results to enhance student learning, including differentiated instruction
• Integrate the use of technology to enhance student learning
• Create an inclusive classroom environment through regular class meetings, supportive exchanges with students, and clear expectations for classroom behavior
• Cooperate and communicate effectively with parents in conferences and written reports in ways that meet the needs of the students and the school
• Support and follow the Faculty Handbook for Policies and Procedure and MS professional expectations
• Be a positive and contributing member of the professional community
• Contribute to all teams by working effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds
• Act as Middle School advisor
• Serve as an active member of a grade level team, participating in grade level activities

OTHER DUTIES

• Actively support the school through participation in the variety of activities that make the Catlin Gabel School a vibrant community
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training to support Catlin Gabel mission
• Other duties as assigned by Middle School Head

COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Ability to adjust to new situations and challenges, analyze problems, and implement effective solutions in dynamic environments.
• Communication & Teamwork: Skilled in conveying information clearly and effectively, fostering collaboration, and working as part of a team to achieve shared goals.
• Organization & Time Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and handle multiple responsibilities efficiently.
• Cultural Awareness & Crisis Management: Demonstrates sensitivity to diverse perspectives and backgrounds, while maintaining composure and effective leadership during emergencies.
• Technology Proficiency & Willingness to Learn: Leverages modern technology to improve operations, while staying open to continuous learning and personal development.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This role supervises students in the classroom and various activities as appropriate. It does not supervise other employees.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

• Interactions occur most routinely with students in the classroom and during other activities.
• Many informal interactions with students for whom the teacher has no direct supervision or responsibility occur.
• Daily contact ranges from direct teaching of curriculum, student advising, and informal exchanges. Regular contact with Middle School colleagues, particularly those working on the same grade level, discipline or on a joint project is expected.
• Frequent contact with parents either for scheduled conferences or casual conversation is a community norm.
• Responsible and active collaboration with colleagues, in all divisions, is expected.
• Important personal qualities include interest in and demonstrated ability to teach and support pre-adolescents and adolescents, ability to work effectively with a team, a sense of humor, flexibility, organizational ability, energy, and collegiality.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• MA or MS in teaching, education, Spanish or related field required
• At least two years demonstrated effective Spanish teaching experience is preferred
• Demonstrated work with middle school aged students is preferred
• Experience in curriculum development a plus
• Use of internet, e-mail, and other appropriate technology applications
• Willingness to sponsor an activity, club, or coach is highly desirable
• Ability and comfort teaching students of different proficiency levels, from beginner to intermediate levels of Spanish
• Native or near native fluency in Spanish since classes are predominately conducted in target language
• Non-native speakers must have a strong oral proficiency
• Extended immersion visit to a Spanish speaking country is preferred
• Experience leading global trips with students preferred
• Experience with Understanding by Design instructional planning a plus
• Use of internet, e-mail, and other appropriate technology applications is essential
• Understanding and experience with student-centered teaching, project-based learning, and performance-based assessment is preferable

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Moderately sedentary position for lesson preparation, report writing, and collaborative meetings 40%-50% of the time
• May occasionally transport groups of students in school vehicle as driver and/or trip leader
• Requires mobility to traverse campus to accompany and assure the safety of children
• This may include moving up and down stairs/elevator or hill between facilities multiple times throughout the workday
• Occasional bending, squatting, stooping and kneeling

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, 10 month position. Full-time faculty teachers are expected to travel to retreats, conferences and workshops as well as accompany students on various experiential activities throughout the year. There are some mandatory evening and weekend commitments.

Divisions

Portland, OR