Middle School Spanish Teacher

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the school principal, the foreign language middle school teacher engages students in learning a foreign language from the conversational level through fluency. To be successful, a teacher of foreign language must be fluent in the language(s) to be taught. Using FLACS middle school foreign language curriculum aligned with the ACTFL's World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, students will be able to use a language other than English for communication, and students will develop cross-cultural skills and understandings. The foreign language teacher facilitates the successful implementation of rigorous standards-based curriculum to ensure students master the state standards and meet the academic goals, and is responsive to diverse learning needs of all students including general education, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners. The foreign language teacher works with the school administrators to implement school procedures and policies and communicates with students’ parents, guardians, and/or caregivers.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of grade-level curriculum to teach students a specific language other than English in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Develops innovative instructional methodologies to teach several levels of language from beginning speakers of foreign languages to students who are approaching fluency. Instruction in foreign languages includes vocabulary, grammar, and accent as well as spelling and other mechanics of language.
• Instructs students in global citizenship to understand and appreciate the culture of countries where the studied language is spoken.
• Evaluates each student’s progress in oral comprehension speaking, reading, and writing a foreign language.
• Plans, prepares, and facilitates daily standards-based lessons that utilize a variety of instructional strategies that differentiate teaching based on the diverse and individual needs of all students including general education, students with disabilities and ELLs.
• Establishes a culture of learning to engage students in rigorous standards-based foreign language curriculum to ensure students master the state standards and are prepared to enter high school.
• Focuses on the integration of literacy skills, which includes explicit vocabulary development, reading, writing, speaking, and listening standards.
• Integrates technology into the curriculum and classroom.
• Designs and implements assessments that measure progress towards language standards.
• Uses assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices to create a classroom culture of data-driven decision making to close the achievement gap for all students including general education, students with disabilities, and ELLs.
• Creates a classroom environment of respect and rapport to ensure a safe, caring, and orderly school environment which nurtures the unique needs of each student.
• Participates in collaborative curriculum and professional development, professional learning communities, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions.
• Seeks to actively know students’ strengths and challenge areas and communicates effectively with parents.
  
  

Professional Responsibilities

• Upholds the FLACS mission, core beliefs, and educational philosophy.
• Embodies the FLACS Middle School core values of scholarship, integrity, empathy, grit, and global citizenship.
• Reflects on their practice and is a lifelong learner who strives to improve instructional effectiveness and guide professional growth.
• Engages and collaborates with colleagues and the community to develop and sustain a common culture that supports high expectations for student learning.
• Establishes ongoing communication with families, guardians, and caregivers to enhance student development and success.
• Demonstrates self-motivation and willingness to be a team player.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree is preferred
• Prior satisfactory teaching experience preferred
• New York State Certification in Language other than English (grades 5-9) and/or Language other than English (grades 7-12)
• Clearance for fingerprint and criminal background check
  
  

It is the policy of FLACS to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex) or prior record of arrest or convictions (except as provided by law), and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation, as required by civil rights law.