Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher Contract Days: 10 month

Reports To: Assistant Principal and Principal, Middle School

Classification: Exempt Start Date: August 1st End Date: May 30th

POSITION SUMMARY

The Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, having both content and instructional expertise, will work as a classroom teacher to support student learning. The Middle School ELA Teacher will focus on developing students’ knowledge and skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Instruct students on the learning proper grammar, writing, and reading comprehension by creating well-balanced curriculum. Teach individuals and groups professional learning that will emphasize and assist planning and classroom instruction; assessment of student progress; and advancement of Brookside Charter School mission, vision, and values.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

*The duties and responsibilities described herein are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, as necessitated by business demands.

School Culture

• Embrace and advance the mission and vision of Brookside Charter School to maximize students’ opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
• Embody and demonstrate maturity, integrity, professionalism, self-improvement, motivation, and excellence.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to provide a safe environment for students.
• Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct in a fair and just manner.
• Build and maintain relationships with teachers, administrators, and students’ families with an eye toward working cooperatively to help students meet academic and other goals.

Curriculum and Instruction 

• Teaches content and skills in English Language Arts, literature, composition, reading, journalism to middle school students, utilizing a well-balanced curriculum
• Design and implement lesson plans based on the curriculum and the individual learning needs of a diverse set of students.
• Adapts ELA material and methods to develop relevant sequential assignments and lesson plans that guide and challenge students.
• Plan instructional activities along with assigned teacher assistants and ensure that appropriate aiding materials are available for the class.
• Monitor students to ensure that their concepts are clear and assist individual students that may have trouble understanding them.
• Observe students and report any learning difficulties or limitations to parents/school administration immediately.
• Evaluates academic progress
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff in assessing and assisting students as needed
• Design lesson presentations and encourage students to take an active part in discussions.
• Be available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

*All requirements listed below are required unless otherwise designated as “preferred.”

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Missouri Teaching Certificate or eligible for certification.

Experience

• Experience teaching in an urban school environment preferred.
• Experience teaching historically underachieving students with a record of positive academic improvement preferred.

Skills and Traits

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Excel.
• Candidate will be a passionate advocate for Brookside Charter’s mission and students.
• Candidate will have a deep internal passion for ensuring that students meet and exceed academic standards regardless of socioeconomic status, race, previous academic performance, or other challenges. 
• Candidate must have a desire to work in an urban school environment with the purpose of closing the achievement gap.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position may require sitting, standing, and walking for intermittent periods, as well as moderate dexterity in operating standard office equipment (e.g., computer, printer, copier). 
• This position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking.