The Natick Public Schools Seek a

Teacher, Elementary

Start date: 08/26/2024

We invite you to explore a career with Natick Public Schools.

The Natick Public Schools educate approximately 5,300 students from Pre-K through age 22. We are an innovative, supportive, and high-performing district whose outstanding staff provides high quality services for our diverse students and their families from Natick and Boston. Natick Public Schools is a community dedicated to all students achieving high standards in a safe, trusting, respectful environment where learning is exciting, dynamic, and engaging, and where connectedness and belonging are valued and actively cultivated. We are home to families that speak almost 60 different languages and our student population is approximately 29% Students of Color and 71% White students. With a graduation rate of 97% and 90% of our students attending post-secondary schools, we are proud of our commitment to excellence in educating students to be informed and successful citizens of a global world. 

We enthusiastically welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on the whole child in a strengths-based approach. Please partner with us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community, promote and deliver equitable practices for all of our staff, students, and families, and create meaningful connections that enable everyone to feel included and thrive.

Education: 

• Bachelor's Degree
• Masters degree preferred

Professional Certification:

• Massachusetts DESE certification in Elementary Education 1-6
• SEI Endorsement

Specialized Knowledge: 

• Strong foundation in student-centered pedagogy
• Knowledge of the developmental needs of children
• Strong content-area knowledge and expertise
• Knowledge of elementary school philosophy 
• Thorough understanding of theories and teaching methodologies along with a sophisticated understanding of the academic, social, and emotional needs of elementary school students
• Working knowledge the Massachusetts Standards-Based curriculum
• Working knowledge of the principles of UDL
• Working knowledge of SEL instruction and supports 
• Thorough understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice as they relate to student, staff, and community engagement and cultivation

Preferred Experience:

• Experience teaching in a diverse public elementary school preferred
• Experience working with students with disabilities/special abilities preferred
• Experience working with students who are English language learners preferred
• Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) PowerSchool preferred, but will train the right candidate

Skills:

• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed
• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish and Portuguese, are highly desirable
• Candidates should have a passion for working with students, families, and colleagues
• Candidates must be flexible and collaborative
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment that nurtures student growth
• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and in conformity with state certification requirements.

• Phone, intercom, personal computer and software applications as outlined above, scanner, copy machine, calculator, camera, printers and fax machine.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides learning experiences in language arts, social studies, reading, mathematics science, art, physical education, and music to students, guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and district standards and requirements, while creating an environment that is conducive to student learning and involvement;
• Monitors students' understanding of the curriculum effectively and adjusts instruction, materials, and assessments when appropriate;
• Evaluates, tries innovative approaches, and refines instructional strategies, including the effective use of technologies available to teachers, to increase student learning, involvement, and confidence to learn;
• Demonstrates appreciation for and sensitivity to, the diversity among individuals and strives to ensure equitable opportunities for student learning;
• Maintains and improves professional competence through attendance at professional development events, and by self-generated activities that meet district expectations and the requirements for recertification;
• Shares responsibility for accomplishing the goals and priorities of his/her grade/team/PLC/department, building and school district, attending all faculty and committee meetings as required, and district-wide committees as needed.
• Any other relative duties as assigned.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

• move about the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations. 
• On some occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces; 
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time; 
• operate a computer and other school/office productivity machinery (i.e., iPad, copy machine, computer printer, assistive technology, etc.); 
• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids; 
• position oneself to maintain files and access school/classroom/office materials;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• observe details at close range
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• may need to teach and support students with life skills development such as eating, cleaning, and toileting 
• lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

• Formal application
• Rating of education and experience
• Oral interviews 
• Reference check
• Strong record of work performance in current and previous roles required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

The Natick Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law.