What are the responsibilities and job description for the Middle School (6th-8th) Spanish Teacher position at East Lake Academy, Lake Forest?
Job Title: Middle School Spanish Teacher
Location: East Lake Academy, 13911 W. Laurel Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.
Position Type: Full-Time.
Job Summary: East Lake Academy is seeking a dynamic, engaging, and passionate Middle School Spanish Teacher to join our team. The ideal candidate will create an immersive, interactive, and culturally rich learning environment, encouraging students to use Spanish both in and out of the classroom. This role involves teaching Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and applications, while also exposing students to the rich cultures and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. The successful candidate will have strong organizational skills, a creative teaching approach, and a deep commitment to student success.
Key Responsibilities
Align with School Mission & Vision:
Location: East Lake Academy, 13911 W. Laurel Drive, Lake Forest, Illinois.
Position Type: Full-Time.
Job Summary: East Lake Academy is seeking a dynamic, engaging, and passionate Middle School Spanish Teacher to join our team. The ideal candidate will create an immersive, interactive, and culturally rich learning environment, encouraging students to use Spanish both in and out of the classroom. This role involves teaching Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and applications, while also exposing students to the rich cultures and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. The successful candidate will have strong organizational skills, a creative teaching approach, and a deep commitment to student success.
Key Responsibilities
Align with School Mission & Vision:
- Foster an environment that is aligned with the Catholic teachings, values, and the mission of the school.
- Encourage spiritual growth and respect for all students, reflecting Catholic values in all aspects of teaching and interactions.
- Act as a role model of professionalism in a Catholic environment.
- Support the philosophy, policies, and goals of the school, and administration.
- Conduct classes primarily in Spanish, fostering an environment where students feel confident and encouraged to use the language.
- Teach and reinforce Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure through a variety of methods.
- Emphasize practical language applications, ensuring students develop skills to communicate in real-world situations.
- Introduce students to the diverse cultures, traditions, history, and customs of Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
- Use authentic materials (e.g., music, videos, literature, food, and art) to engage students in learning about different cultures.
- Create opportunities for students to connect their language learning with global perspectives.
- Design and implement dynamic, engaging, and creative lesson plans that cater to different learning styles.
- Use technology, games, group activities, and real-life scenarios to make learning Spanish enjoyable and relevant.
- Foster a growth mindset in students, encouraging them to take risks in their language use.
- Provide personalized feedback to students on their progress, both in class and through assignments.
- Offer additional support to struggling students, including office hours, tutoring, or small group sessions.
- Monitor student performance and adjust teaching methods as needed to ensure all students succeed.
- Maintain regular and open communication with parents regarding student progress, achievements, and areas for improvement.
- Provide regular updates on assignments, projects, and classroom activities.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences and respond promptly to any concerns or inquiries.
- Create and maintain a well-organized, safe, and respectful classroom environment conducive to learning.
- Establish clear expectations for student behavior and participation, ensuring a positive and productive atmosphere.
- Keep track of student assignments, grades, and other administrative responsibilities in a timely manner.
- Collaborate with other teachers and school staff to enhance the overall educational experience for students.
- Participate in faculty meetings, school events, and professional development opportunities to continually improve teaching practices.
- Stay up to date with the latest trends in language education and incorporate innovative teaching strategies into the classroom.
- Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Education, or a related field (required).
- Previous teaching experience, particularly at the middle school level (preferred).
- Proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish (native or near-native fluency preferred).
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Creative, dynamic, and passionate about teaching and inspiring students.
- Ability to build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Familiarity with classroom technology and online learning tools.
- Ability to foster an inclusive, respectful, and engaging classroom culture.
