Middle School Social Studies Teacher

MS Social Studies Teacher

School-Year 2023-24

Status Full-Time  Contract Days 10 Months

Classification Exempt  Start Date August 1st  End Date May 31st

Reports to Assistant Principal and Principal, Middle School

ABOUT BROOKSIDE CHARTER SCHOOL

Brookside Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving Pre-K through 8th-grade students in Kansas City Public School (KCPS) boundaries. We focus on rigorous academics, leadership skills, and the whole child to prepare students for success beyond our doors. Our caring community of well-trained and supported staff members, engaged families, and supportive community partners empowers students to be leaders of their tomorrow. We are committed to diversity, culturally relevant teaching and learning, family and community engagement, restorative practices, and social and emotional learning.

POSITION SUMMARY & PURPOSE

The Middle School Social Studies Teacher, having both content and instructional expertise will work as a classroom teacher to support student learning. The Middle School Social Studies Teacher will focus on building students’ knowledge of historical concepts and events within the country and globally. Instruct students about national, local, state, and global Social Studies by creating a 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's 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.

JOB 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

• Prepare curriculum based on teaching concepts related to local, state, national, and global Social Studies.
• Design and implement lesson plans based on the curriculum and the individual learning needs of a diverse set of students.
• Discuss prominent historical figures, dates, and events with students and ensure that they understand circumstances without the propaganda attached to them.
• Create instructional resources on Social Studies lessons and ensure that students understand the motivation behind events.
• 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.
• Administer Social Studies tests and give out assignments and check both according to specific marking directives.
• Encourage students to look at multiple viewpoints and make their judgments about the motivations behind historical events.
• Assist students in comprehending the significance of social and political issues.
• 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, such as participation with graduation, Back-to-school carnival, parent conferences, and school events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education and Certifications

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

Experience

• Experience teaching in an urban school environment is preferred.
• Experience teaching historically underserved populations (or historically marginalized populations) with a record of positive academic improvement is preferred.

Skills and Traits

• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and/or equivalent software.
• 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 be passionate about working towards educational equity and providing an excellent education for all students.

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.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

We’re committed to providing best-in-class benefits to our teachers and staff. Elements of Brookside Charter School’s benefits package include competitive pay, subsidized health insurance, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, and paid time off.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY 

Brookside Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, and promote for all jobs on the basis of merit, qualifications, skills and competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of race,  color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. Brookside Charter School will fully comply with all employment-related and other laws. All employment decisions will be made solely on the basis of the individual's qualifications as related to the requirement of the position being filled. 

“In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.”

Brookside does not sponsor H-1B visa candidates who are not eligible to work in the US. Accordingly, for your application to be processed you must confirm your eligibility to work in the US. See https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/hr-answers/can-refuse-to-consider-candidate-not-eligible-to-work-united-states-require-sponsorship-h-1b-visa#:~:text=Yes.,work in the United States.

Read more about Brookside Charter School’s teaching approach, and community on our website.