Teacher - Elementary Education - Language Arts

MIDDLESEX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Position: Elementary Teacher

Position Summary: An elementary language arts teacher plays a vital role in developing foundational literacy skills and fostering a love for reading and writing.

Job Type: Full-time

Contract: 200 days

FLSA Status: Exempt

Minimum Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Below is a comprehensive list of their essential functions, organized into relevant categories:

Instructional Responsibilities

1. Reading Instruction

   • Teach phonics, decoding, and sight words to build foundational reading skills.
   • Develop students’ reading comprehension through strategies such as predicting, summarizing, questioning, and making connections.
   • Foster fluency by practicing pace, expression, and accuracy.
   • Introduce and discuss various genres of literature, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and folktales.

2. Writing Instruction

   • Teach the stages of the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
   • Guide students in writing for different purposes (e.g., narrative, informational, persuasive, and creative writing).
   • Provide instruction on sentence structure, paragraph development, and organization.

3. Grammar and Language Skills

   • Teach parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization, and proper sentence formation.
   • Develop students’ vocabulary through word study, context clues, and explicit instruction.
   • Promote proper spelling and handwriting skills, including cursive where applicable.

4. Listening and Speaking Skills

   • Facilitate discussions, oral storytelling, and presentations to build communication skills.
   • Encourage active listening and the ability to follow oral directions.
   • Incorporate opportunities for public speaking and collaborative group work.

5. Critical Thinking and Analysis

   • Teach students to analyze texts for themes, main ideas, and supporting details.
   • Introduce basic literary devices (e.g., imagery, similes, metaphors) appropriate for elementary levels.
   • Encourage students to express opinions and support their ideas with evidence from texts.

Classroom Management

1. Creating a Literacy-Rich Environment

   • Maintain a classroom library with diverse and age-appropriate books.
   • Display student work, anchor charts, and materials that promote a love of reading and writing.
   • Create literacy centers for independent and small-group activities.

2. Behavioral Expectations

   • Establish clear rules and routines to foster a structured and respectful learning environment.
   • Use positive reinforcement and proactive strategies to encourage appropriate behavior.

3. Time Management

   • Plan and allocate time effectively for whole-group, small-group, and independent literacy activities.
   • Integrate literacy instruction into other subject areas where possible.

Assessment and Evaluation

1. Monitoring Progress

   • Use formative assessments such as observation, running records, and quick checks to gauge understanding.
   • Conduct summative assessments like reading tests, writing samples, and standardized evaluations.

2. Data-Driven Instruction

   • Analyze assessment data to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
   • Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners, struggling readers, and students with learning disabilities.

3. Feedback and Reporting

   • Provide constructive feedback on student work to guide improvement.
   • Communicate progress to parents through conferences, report cards, and written updates.

Instructional Strategies

1. Differentiated Instruction

   • Implement tiered lessons and activities to address varying ability levels.
   • Use scaffolding techniques to build confidence and independence.

2. Small-Group and One-on-One Support

   • Conduct guided reading sessions to target specific literacy skills.
   • Offer individualized support for students who need additional help or enrichment.

3. Interactive and Engaging Activities

   • Incorporate games, storytelling, and technology to make learning enjoyable.
   • Use visual aids, manipulatives, and multimedia resources to enhance understanding.

Professional Responsibilities

1. Planning and Preparation

   • Develop lesson plans that align with school standards and curriculum frameworks.
   • Collaborate with colleagues to ensure consistency across grade levels.

2. Professional Development

   • Attend workshops, conferences, and training sessions to stay informed about best practices.
   • Reflect on teaching effectiveness and seek opportunities for growth.

3. Collaboration and Communication

   • Work with administrators, special education staff, and other teachers to support student success.
   • Build positive relationships with students and their families to foster a supportive learning environment.

Fostering a Love of Literacy

1. Encouraging Reading for Pleasure

   • Promote independent reading and help students select “just right” books.
   • Host events like read-alouds, book clubs, or author visits to excite students about reading.

2. Celebrating Writing

   • Provide opportunities for students to share their work, such as publishing class books or hosting writing showcases.
   • Celebrate student progress and creativity in writing through recognition and display.

3. Inspiring Lifelong Learning

   • Model enthusiasm for reading and writing in daily interactions.
   • Cultivate curiosity and a growth mindset by encouraging students to ask questions and explore new ideas.

Cultural and Ethical Responsibilities

1. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

   • Incorporate diverse authors, cultures, and perspectives into the curriculum.
   • Use culturally responsive teaching practices to honor all students’ backgrounds.

2. Creating a Safe and Welcoming Space

   • Foster a classroom culture of respect, kindness, and acceptance.
   • Encourage collaboration and empathy through group projects and discussions.

3. Ethical and Professional Conduct

   • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
   • Serve as a role model in communication, behavior, and work ethic.

Physical Requirements: This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires walking and occasionally requires sitting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, playground, classroom, light traffic). 

Supervision Exercised: Principal