Teacher - Primary (K-2)

About the role

The classroom teacher will create a class environment that implements the district articulated curriculum for their content area, providing positive learning experiences for all students. This includes equipping each student with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to lead self-sufficient, healthy, productive, and socially responsible lives to the best of their individual potential. The teacher will establish good relationships and rapport with students, parents, and staff members.

The teacher will document student progress, set appropriate learning goals, develop lesson plans, plan activities and outcomes, address specific educational needs of all students, and communicate feedback to students' parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations, and goals. The teacher will use assessment results to guide and implement differentiated instructional strategies, work collaboratively with staff, attend department meetings, and participate in extracurricular activities where appropriate. The teacher will maintain professional competence through in-service education, coursework, and professional growth activities.

Responsibilities

• Prepares lesson plans and develops an instructional program designed to meet the needs of individual and groups of students, executing lessons and providing documentation of teacher and student progress.
• Implements district-approved curricula that align with State and federal learning standards and guidelines to ensure effective teaching and learning for all students.
• Reports incidents of child abuse, altercations, and substance abuse to maintain personal safety of students.
• Provides clear and focused instruction for all students by adapting and using a variety of teaching strategies to meet student needs toward readiness for successful learning and graduation standards.
• Provides ongoing quality classroom-based assessments and monitors students using district/state assessment tools to offer feedback on student progress, expectations, and goals to students, parents, and administration.
• Establishes and maintains a standard of student behavior to provide an orderly, safe, and productive learning environment.
• Communicates positively and regularly with students, parents, and/or legal guardians to maintain an open relationship that encourages student achievement through meaningful collaboration.
• Establishes and maintains positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work to provide an effective school program.
• Maintains appropriate confidential reports, records, and files for state/federal law compliance.
• Attends and participates in all staff meetings and extracurricular activities as required or deemed necessary by the District and/or building principal for continued professional growth and to remain current in techniques and methods of instruction.
• Collaborates with special education program staff and specialists to meet the needs of special education students and comply with special education requirements within the regular classroom environment.

Requirements

• Valid Washington State Teacher certificate with appropriate endorsement(s) to teach in this position.
• Must meet job-specific Washington State and federal learning standards.

Skills

• Knowledge and skill in instructional principles, methods, and techniques.
• Knowledge of current state assessments and graduation requirements.
• Knowledge and implementation of district-adopted curricula.
• Knowledge of subject areas appropriate to assignment.
• Knowledge of procedures/policies in the student referral process.
• Skill in classroom management, student discipline, and developing positive techniques for improving student behavior.
• Skills in organizational techniques.
• Skill in reading, writing, and oral communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of work.
• Ability to participate collaboratively in teams.
• Ability and commitment to work with a full range of students.
• Ability to be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population.
• Ability to follow district/school policies and the educational code of professional conduct.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with staff, students, and parents from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to continue participation in staff development to maintain professional skills.
• Ability to effectively integrate technology resources into the curriculum.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to change and remain flexible.
• Ability to meet and maintain punctuality and attendance expectations.
• Ability to serve as a role model and treat students as individuals in a professional manner.

Licenses/Special Requirements

• Successful clearance of criminal justice fingerprint and background check.

Conditions

• Required to deal with a wide range of student achievement and behavior.
• May experience frequent interruptions and must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• May be required to deal with distraught students/parents/staff and may be exposed to infectious diseases.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk, hear, and operate a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other office equipment.
• Active position requiring standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, and reaching throughout the day.
• Frequent use of repetitive arm/hand motion.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move items over 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• May climb stairs or ride in elevators, depending on the worksite.

Environmental Factors

• Moderate to loud noise levels.

Benefits

For details on salaries/wages, insurance, retirement plans, paid time off or vacation, paid holidays, and other compensation, visit the district's benefits information page.