5th Grade Humanities Teacher (Anticipated)

Position Title: 5th grade humanities teacher

Exempt status

School year schedule

St. Johnsbury School District is seeking a 5th grade Humanities Teacher to add to the upper grades team as a new position for next school year. The St. Johnsbury School District (STJSD) serves more than 1,000 students, Pre-K through 8th grade and tuition our high school students to several area public and independent high schools. STJSD has approximately 600 students in Prek to Grade 8 and approximately 200 full-time employees all in one school. We have an excellent outdoor educational space, new playgrounds and a dedicated team with an emphasis on employee wellness. We are located 4 minutes from I-91 at Exit 21.

Job Summary:

St. Johnsbury School is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic 5th Grade Humanities Teacher to join our dynamic. The ideal candidate will have a passion for teaching, a strong background in humanities, and the ability to engage and inspire 5th grade students in their studies. By adding this 5th grade classroom back into STJSD we will have four 5th grade classrooms once again. We use Responsive Classroom in grades K-5 with a focus on restorative practices. Our second step is our SEL program. Familitary with these programs will be beneficial.

Key Responsibilities:

• Curriculum Delivery:
• Develop and implement engaging lesson plans for Humanities, integrating history, literature, geography, and civics.
• Utilize a variety of instructional strategies and resources to accommodate different learning styles and needs.
• Foster a classroom environment that promotes critical thinking, discussion, and student inquiry.
• Student Assessment:
• Design and administer assessments to evaluate student progress and understanding.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback on student performance.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of student grades and attendance.
• Classroom Management:
• Establish and enforce clear classroom rules and procedures.
• Create a positive and respectful learning environment.
• Address and manage student behavioral issues in a constructive manner.
• Collaboration:
• Work closely with colleagues to coordinate curriculum and share best practices.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development workshops, and school events.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding student progress and classroom activities.
• Professional Development:
• Stay current with developments in Humanities education and integrate new strategies into teaching practices.
• Pursue ongoing professional growth opportunities to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred).
• Valid teaching license or certification for Vermont (or eligibility).
• Previous teaching experience at the middle school level is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Humanities subjects and curriculum standards.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Ability to make it to work on time with reliable transportation

Physical Requirements:

1. Stamina: Teachers spend long hours on their feet, moving around the classroom, and often managing a busy schedule with minimal breaks.
2. Energy Levels: Teaching requires a high level of energy to engage with students, maintain enthusiasm, and manage classroom dynamics effectively.
3. Health and Fitness: Maintaining good overall health helps in managing the physical demands of the job, such as standing for extended periods, carrying materials, and dealing with the physicality of classroom management.
4. Manual Dexterity: Tasks like writing on a board, handling classroom materials, and setting up activities require good hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Mental Requirements:

1. Patience and Resilience: Middle school students are at a developmental stage where they are exploring their identities and can be challenging. Patience and resilience are crucial for managing diverse behaviors and helping students navigate their emotions.
2. Communication Skills: Clear, effective communication is essential for explaining concepts, giving instructions, and interacting with students, parents, and colleagues.
3. Organizational Skills: Teachers must juggle lesson planning, grading, classroom management, and administrative tasks. Strong organizational skills are necessary to keep everything running smoothly.
4. Problem-Solving Ability: The ability to think on your feet and adapt to unexpected situations or challenges is important. This includes resolving conflicts, addressing student needs, and modifying lesson plans as needed.
5. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and responding to the emotional and social needs of students, as well as maintaining a supportive and inclusive environment, are key components of effective teaching.
6. Attention to Detail: Teachers need to be attentive to students’ progress, behavior, and academic needs. This includes monitoring assessments, tracking performance, and identifying areas for improvement.

Balancing these physical and mental demands is crucial for maintaining effectiveness and job satisfaction as a teacher.

Salary follows the Teacher's Collective Bargaining Agreement and is based on years of experience and educational level. Teachers get vested in the State Teacher's Pension after 5 years of service.  Teachers work 186 days each school year. Teachers receive 15 sick days, 4 emergency days, 5 personal days, 5 bereavement days. BCBS of Vermont is the health insurance. The employer pays the first $1900 for single coverage or $4000 for multi-person plan of the out of pocket costs plus 100% of prescription costs. Employer pays for single dental coverage, employee's life insurance and employee's long term disability insurance.  We have an amazing Employee Wellness program that includes a free membership to RecFit, a free membership to Heart Space Yoga and after work classes at the school. We also have half-days during inservice of employee wellness with many choices to participate. We have an InvestEAP program, PATH, mental health resources, employee connect, travel connect, Lincoln Wellnesspath, Lifekeys, life insurance and long-term disability insurance all employer paid benefits.

Saint Johnsbury School District provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary : $47,305 - $85,054