Social Studies Teacher

Position Goal

To develop in each student an appreciation of American ideals and cultural heritage; to develop proficiency in the use of social studies inquiry skills and concepts; to motivate each student to understand and exercise his rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a citizen, to develop understanding of the geographical, historical, cultural, and political factors which influence the development of world regions; to encourage students to develop sound opinions based on study of facts concerning operation of political and economic systems.

Responsibilities

• Teaches courses in social studies, history, geography, American government, political science, or humanities 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.
• Develops a balanced social studies program involving factual background material, material on current events, discussion time, and other appropriate activities designed to encourage students to develop skills and attitudes, draw conclusions, achieve improved interpersonal relationships, and make value judgments based on scientific methods of inquiry.
• Develops knowledge of the purpose, structure, and operation of the American Governmental and economic system, and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.
• Makes current material from the mass media available to students; plans and guides discussions of current problems against background of geographical environment and history of area being studied.
• Develops an understanding of the contributions of racial, religious, and political groups to American culture.
• Develops knowledge of political and economic systems of other nations and their influence on personal freedom, education, and living standards.
• Encourages students to become aware of the complexity and interrelations of local, state, national, and world problems.
• Maintains standards of student behavior to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education.
• Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids, and maintains required inventory records; may request resource speakers and field trips.
• Communicates with parents and school counselors to discuss student progress.
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
• 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.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's or Master's Degree.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Pennsylvania Instructional Teaching Certificate.

Skills & Abilities

• 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; add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations; apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; 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 & Work Environment

• Regularly required to walk and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand and sit.
• Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Some driving is necessary; light lifting – up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
• Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times.
• Frequently required to interact with the parents, public and staff during and after the normal workday.
• The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience.

Reports To: Building Principal
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Evaluation: The employee will be formally supervised and evaluated with regard to his/her duties on a regular basis by the Building Principal.