Science Teacher, Gr 6-8

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates subject area expertise and a cutting-edge grasp of child development and how students learn.
• Develops a well-honed game plan for the year that is tightly aligned with state standards and assessments.
• Plans all expeditions backwards, aligned with high standards, state assessments, and all Bloom’s levels; documents and shares all lessons with supervisor at a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance.
• Plans and implements assessments to closely monitor student learning.
• Anticipates students’ misconceptions and confusions and develops multiple strategies to overcome them.
• Designs lessons with clear, measurable goals closely aligned with standards and expedition outcomes.
• Designs lessons that use an effective mix of high-quality, multicultural learning materials and technology.
• Designs lessons that break down complex tasks and address all learning needs, styles, and interests.
• Uses an effective mix of room arrangement, materials, and displays to maximize student learning of all material, focusing on learning targets and student work.
• Communicates and enforces high expectations directly, specifically, consistently, and tenaciously.
• Buys into a highly effective system of incentives linked to intrinsic rewards.
• Exudes high expectations and determination and convinces all students that they will master the material.
• Inculcates a “growth” mindset: take risks, learn from mistakes, through effective effort you can and will achieve at high levels.
• Shows students exactly what’s expected by posting learning targets, essential questions, rubrics, and exemplars.
• Hooks all students’ interest and makes connections into prior knowledge, experience, and reading.
• Presents material clearly and explicitly, with well-chosen examples and vivid and appropriate language.
• Orchestrates highly effective strategies, materials, and groupings to involve and motivate all students.
• Engages all students in focused work in which they are active learners and problem solvers.
• Successfully reaches all students by skillfully differentiating and scaffolding.
• Deftly adapts lessons and units to exploit teachable moments and correct misunderstandings.
• Consistently has all students summarize and internalize what they learn and apply it to real-life situations.
• Posts and reviews clear criteria for proficient work, including rubrics and exemplars, and all students internalize them.
• Gives students a well-constructed diagnostic assessment up front, and uses the information to fine-tune instruction.
• Uses a variety of effective methods to check for understanding; immediately unscrambles confusion and clarifies.
• Sets ambitious goals with students, continually self-assesses, and takes responsibility for improving performance.
• Frequently posts students’ work with rubrics and commentary to celebrate progress and motivate direct effort.
• Works with colleagues to use interim assessment data, fine-tune teaching, re-teach, and help struggling students.
• Relentlessly follows up with struggling students with personal attention (time and support) so they all reach proficiency.
• Works with colleagues to analyze chart data, draw action conclusions, and leverage student growth.
• Reflects on what worked and what didn’t to continuously improve instruction.

Qualifications

• Has perfect or near-perfect attendance and punctuality.
• Speaks and writes appropriately, succinctly, and eloquently in professional contexts.
• Carries out assignments conscientiously and punctually, keeps meticulous records, and is never late.
• Presents as a consummate professional and always observes appropriate boundaries.
• Is invariably ethical, honest, and forthright, uses impeccable judgment, and respects confidentiality.
• Is an important member of teacher teams and committees and frequently attends after-school activities.
• Contributes valuable ideas and expertise and instills in others a desire to improve students results.
• Reaches out for new ideas and engages in professional development with colleagues to figure out what works best.
• Informs the administration of any concerns and reaches out for help and suggestions when needed.
• Supports each other in reaching our shared goals as a crew, not passengers.
• Models and implements EL Education design principles and core practices to the best of our ability in our roles.