Science Teacher, Middle School

About the role

The position goal is to develop in each student an awareness of the role of science in economic and social progress; to motivate each student to acquire knowledge of scientific facts and principles, and skills in scientific methods of problem solving; to discover and develop special talents of students in scientific fields.

Responsibilities

• Teaches skills, knowledge, and scientific attitudes through courses in general science, earth sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, or science problems to secondary students, utilizing course of study adopted by the Board of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
• Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
• Plans a science program involving demonstrations, lectures, discussions, and student experiments; organizes laboratory activities for optimal learning.
• Demonstrates scientific concepts by use of scientific apparatus, experiments, and standard or teacher-prepared charts, sketches, and other instructional aids.
• Provides individual or small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students and to accommodate circumstances where a variety of projects and experiments are being worked on simultaneously.
• Instructs in proper use, care, and safe handling of chemicals, science equipment, and plant and animal life.
• Makes minor adjustments and requests repairs to equipment as required.
• Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior for a productive learning environment during class sessions, laboratory sessions, and field trips.
• Evaluates each student’s growth and knowledge, skills, and scientific attitudes in course being taught.
• Selects and requests books, instructional aids, science equipment, chemicals, and supplies and maintains inventory records as required.
• Maintains professional competence through in service education activities provided by the District and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Identifies students’ needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
• Aids students in selection and development of individual research projects.
• Cooperates with school administration in providing science displays and programs for the school and community, and in sponsoring science activities.
• Communicates with parents and school counselors on student progress.
• Supervises student in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned work day.
• Participates in faculty committees and sponsorship of student activities.
• Participates cooperatively with the principal or his designee to develop the method by which the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree
• Pennsylvania Instructional Teaching Certificate
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively with other employees, students and parents
• Ability to apply basic arithmetic calculations
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form
• Ability to coordinate activities with related and specialist staff
• Ability to develop and maintain required records and reports
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, parents and the community
• Good knowledge of procedures, practices, materials, and equipment required to provide appropriate learning experiences for students to whom assigned
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Must be courteous and able to deal effectively with people
• Must be cooperative, congenial and service-oriented
• Ability to maintain personal self-control in stressful situations
• Ability to operate a personal computer and software
• Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned
• Physical demands include walking, standing, sitting, reaching, using hands, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception
• Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints
• Work environment includes a quiet to moderate to loud noise level, frequent interaction with parents, public and staff, and meeting multiple demands from several people and exhibiting good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience
• Evaluation is formal and conducted by the Building Principal on a regular basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned