Lower School STEM Teacher and Science Department Head

Summary: The Lower School STEM Teacher will create a dynamic STEM learning experience following the Engineering Design Process for students in grades K4 – 6th grade.

Our teachers are building Christian Community within and beyond the school, are active in a church community and serving as Christian role models to students, parents, and staff. Teachers are expected to keep abreast of current trends and assist their respective departments with long-term goal planning for the program, developing both short- and long-term instructional objectives.

Teachers must have strong Instructional and Classroom Management skills, including but not limited to: use of various teaching strategies and resources to actively engage students in learning; adjusting curriculum as appropriate; posting lesson plans on FACTS; creating and documenting a curriculum in Atlas, evaluating handouts and testing materials against student performance; evaluating students and providing opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery; grading and returning student work in a timely manner; enforcing school discipline policies in a consistent and loving manner; promptly notifying parents and administration of any behavioral or academic problems and organizing classroom and materials for efficient learning.

OCS teachers are expected to make meaningful connections between faith and learning in the classroom. Employee is responsible for continuing education and completing certification requirements.

The Lower School STEM Teacher is a position requiring a calling to use God-given talents to further the Kingdom of God. The Lower School STEM Teacher is expected to be a minister to the OCS community through actions, speech, attitude, and prayer, as they point students to Christ.

Essential Function:

• Serve as the department chair of LS science
• Keep inventory of science materials and dates for reordering.
• Provide background information and baseline research for students prior to beginning a project. This includes, but is not limited to, partnering in leading our Science Fair Program with our fifth grade team.
• Build relationships with field experts.
• Coordinate guest speakers to relate to real-world experiences and field experts.
• Ability to effectively communicate with parents, students, and staff verbally and in writing.
• Able to develop ideas that align with classroom objectives stretching student/ teachers in developing beyond textbook learning in problem solving, analysis and critical thinking through hands-on activities.?
• Develop an excitement for learning about God's world by seeing the character traits of God through the order of the universe, His faithfulness in His creation and His magnificent creative abilities.
• Able to enhance students/teachers learning in scientific methods teaching them to research, problem solve, experiment, record and analyze findings, then communicating to others.
• Commitment to collaboration and teaming with effectiveness in working within a professional learning community.
• Knowledge of and ability to use appropriate and multiple assessment, instruction and evaluation techniques.
• A clear understanding of the integrated relationship of the STEM components (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
• A clear understanding of the 5E Instructional Model integrated into the hands-on STEM experience.
• A need for a biblical perspective of creativity in the area of research and design with respect to math and science content and process.

- Daily schedule will include classroom instruction on an elective schedule for grades K4 - 6th grade.

Supplemental Function:

• Successful ability to manage students in a lab setting.
• Passionate individual who can facilitate hands-on learning activities to encourage students in design thinking and engineering.
• Igniting student interest in learning and helping them develop the 21st century skills they need to be confident.

Required Personal Qualities:

The employee shall:

• Have confessed Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior.
• Believe the Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
• Faithfully attend and actively support a local church that adheres to the principles listed in the OCS Statement of Faith.
• Be in agreement with the school’s Statement of Faith and align teaching with it.
• Be a Christian role model in attitude, speech and actions both in and out of school to students, parents and fellow employees. Agree with and adhere to the OCS Lifestyle Statement.
• Show by example the importance of Scripture study and memorization, prayer, witnessing and unity in the body of Christ.
• Have the spiritual maturity, academic ability and personal leadership qualities to equip students to transform the world for Christ and His kingdom.

Additional Personal Qualities:

The employee shall:

• Recognize the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their children’s education and be prepared to assist them in that task.
• Demonstrate the character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance and punctuality.
• Meet everyday stress with emotional stability, objectivity and optimism.
• Maintain a personal appearance that is a Christian role model of cleanliness, modesty, good taste and agreement with school policy.
• Have a strong command of the English language in both verbal and written communication.
• Respectfully submit and be loyal to constituted authority.
• Notify the Head of School of any policy that he/she is unable to support.
• Refuse to use or circulate confidential information.
• Place his/her OCS position ahead of other jobs or volunteer activities.
• Make an effort to appreciate and understand the uniqueness of the OCS community.

Education Requirement:

• Experience in delivering professional development to teachers.
• Deep understanding of student learning theory, brain-based learning, and differentiated instruction.
• Deep understanding of math and science.
• Able to teach: Robotics, LEGO, STEM, Coding, Technology
• Able to assess needs of Lower School for STEM learning and adjust appropriately.
• Oversee the 5th and 6th grade Vex Robotics team

Years of Experience: Evidence of at least three years of exemplary classroom teaching experience.

Licenses or Certifications: Holds or is in the process of earning a Florida Educator Certificate