Middle School Teacher: English Language Arts (ELA)

MISSION OF THE ROLE

SEEQS faculty members bring the SEEQS vision—the school culture, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary, community-based work—into reality by engaging students in meaningful learning experiences.

OUTCOMES

• All students are provided daily opportunities to engage in rigorous, meaningful learning experiences in content and EQS courses.
• All students receive timely feedback relative to standards.
• All students develop an understanding of the SEEQS Sustainability Skills and build a portfolio of work documenting their growth.
• All students are supported in social-emotional learning and growth opportunities.

COMPETENCIES

• Pedagogical commitment to and demonstrated excellence in constructivist and investigative approaches to learning
• Loves working with and being mentors for young people, especially middle school students
• Willing to engage productively with students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors
• Self-reflective, lifelong learner
• Flexible and open to feedback
• An excellent sense of humor!
• Willingness to take on leadership roles
• Proficient technology user, including Google-based tools
• Disciplinary content expertise and interdisciplinary interests
• Commitment to implementing sustainable practices and philosophy

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree
• Two years experience working with middle school-aged children

Preferred:

• Masters degree and/or significant professional experience in content area
• Three or more years experience teaching at the middle school level
• Valid Hawaii Teaching License in the subject area of instruction
• Experience working with students with special needs

GOALS & RESPONSIBILITIES

SEEQS teachers can expect the following roles and related responsibilities:

Teacher/ facilitator

• Develop and/or implement research-based, standards-aligned curriculum that enables students to develop content-specific skills, tools, and knowledge.
  • ELA courses use a Reading and Writing Workshop approach
• • English Language Arts (ELA), Arts, and Social Studies courses are multi-aged, theme-based courses designed by teachers.
• Lead a student-centered classroom with an emphasis on inquiry, classroom collaboration, purposeful integration of technology, and self-exploration.
• Personalize each student’s learning environment by providing relevant and timely feedback, strategies and suggestions for growth and improvement, as well as facilitating student success on individual projects.
• Communicate with families about classroom studies and student progress to help create an engaged community.
• Use standards-based grading to document a variety of formative and summative assessments that measure student progress towards content standards, performance expectations, and work habits.
• Implement classroom, school, and behavior management strategies as necessary that are aligned with SEEQS' philosophy of logical consequences and restorative practices.
• Contribute to and attend events for the SEEQS community, including Open Houses/Orientations and Project Exhibitions, and Presentations of Learning.

Co-learner

• Participate with students in morning Physical Activity (including physical activity in Advisory).
• Learn from experts, field trips, student projects, and colleagues about issues related to sustainability during EQS courses.

Co-teacher

• Co-lead, plan, supervise, and assess an Essential Question of Sustainability course alongside other teachers with different content expertise.
• Collaborate with local organizations and communities to introduce students to real-world issues, and to have a real-world audience assess student exploration.
• Support an environment of full inclusion for students with special needs by meeting regularly with Special Education/Support teachers to co-plan shared courses and by attending and preparing for IEP and 504 meetings.

Learner/ co-constructor

• Model effective teaching and learning practices and strategies for fellow faculty members; learn from fellow teachers doing the same.
• Prepare for, participate fully in, and follow-up on professional development and learning community.
• Plan and reflect on teaching practices and roles through goal-setting and peer observation processes.

Advisor/ Mentor

• Model Safe, Kind, Respectful, and Responsible behaviors with students, parents, colleagues, and community members.
• Serve as a mentor/advisor to a group of students in Advisory to support student success, health, happiness, emotional intelligence and intellectual safety.
• Model a democratic, collaborative approach to creating school norms and rules by participating in school-wide decision-making and facilitating constructive conversations.

Professional

• Intentionally work to uphold SEEQS faculty norms and organizational values.
• Communicate appropriately and in a timely manner, including electronically.
• Adhere to school policies and procedures consistently, completely, and on time.
• Respectfully share working spaces and communal areas with colleagues and students.
• Implement sustainable practices and philosophy.

POSITION DETAILS

The Content Specialist Teacher role is a 10-month position, paid over a period of 12 months. The SEEQS teacher work year generally follows the Hawaii DOE’s yearly calendar. Teacher work hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This position is for the 2024-2025 School Year, beginning July 29, 2024.

COMPENSATION

Pay rate is subject to the HSTA BU05 salary schedule. Employees also receive a generous benefits package provided to Hawaii State Government Employees.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION

The role requires the employee to sit, stand, bend, stoop, reach above the shoulders, walk short distances, climb stairs, listen effectively, speak clearly, and visually observe staff and students on a routine basis. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.