Categorically Funded K-5 Teacher, Continuing

 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

GENERAL INFORMATION

Cheney Public Schools is a rapidly growing district serving approximately 5,300 students and encompasses the towns of Cheney and Airway Heights, an expansive rural area, and a developing industrial and residential area on the West Plains. The District covers 380 square miles.

Cheney Public Schools is committed to high expectations and continuous progress for students, staff, and administration. The District provides a rich learning environment for all students, and the local community provides consistent and unwavering support for an extensive co-curricular program. Our mission states, “Cheney Public Schools exists to guarantee a safe and caring environment where ALL students learn at high levels and graduate with options for post-secondary education, careers, and civic engagement.”

Cheney Public Schools utilizes the PLC process to drive student learning and success. Teachers in Cheney Public Schools work in highly collaborative teams and participate in shared assessments and continual improvement in support of student learning growth. Cheney Public Schools Strategic Plan drives the work of the district. There are six priorities: Student Safety, Student Well Being, Learning and Growth, Future Ready Outcomes, Exemplar School District, and Community and Facility Growth. The work of district teachers is integral to Learning and Growth, Future Ready Outcomes and Exemplar School District.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A teacher is a professional who teaches students based on curriculum guidelines within their subject areas. An elementary school teacher plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds during their formative years. This position involves instructing students in various subjects, fostering their intellectual and social development, and creating a positive learning environment conducive to growth and exploration. Teachers are responsible for preparing lesson plans and educating students at all levels. Their duties include assigning homework, grading tests, measuring student growth, and documenting progress. Teachers must be able to instruct in a variety of subjects and reach students with engaging lesson plans. Teachers must plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in an elementary or secondary learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential. Work is performed under the supervision of the principal.

This teacher position is an integral position in support of student learning and growth within the school. With a focus on student learning priorities, a teacher in this role will be assigned year to year to meet the highest priority for school improvement goals. The grade level can vary, and the approach to instruction can be specialized to meet student learning needs. Teachers in this role must be flexible, highly skilled in lesson design and thrive in collaboration with peers across all grade levels. Teachers in this position are adaptive in their role and focus area in response to student learning data and school improvement goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee hired for this assignment may perform all or some of the responsibilities defined below:

• Create a supportive classroom atmosphere where students feel encouraged to participate actively in discussions and activities
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons that align with curriculum standards and cater to diverse learning styles and abilities
• Utilize various teaching methods and resources to facilitate understanding and mastery of subject matter with appropriate learning targets and learning objectives
• Foster a respectful and inclusive classroom environment that celebrates diversity and promotes empathy and understanding among students
• Assess student progress through regular evaluations, assignments, and examinations, providing constructive feedback to promote improvement
• Collaborate with colleagues, parents, and administrators to address individual student needs and ensure a holistic approach to education
• Maintain accurate records of student attendance, grades, and behavioral incidents, adhering to school and district policies and procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of current technology with a multimedia approach to instruction
• Incorporate technology effectively into lesson plans to enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for the digital age
• Demonstrate ability to administer and analyze a variety of formal and informal assessment strategies, including preparing students for the End of Unit Exams, and the SBAC, among others
• Translate lesson plans into learning experiences to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Demonstrate ability to create, implement, and maintain student learning plans
• Communicate student progress to students, families, and staff
• Demonstrate ability to manage and maintain a positive classroom environment through the use of appropriate guidance, discipline, and classroom management techniques consistent with current research and best practice
• Demonstrate knowledge of the emotional, physical, intellectual and social needs of students
• Knowledge of, and commitment to using, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) behavior/intervention model
• Develop and implement strategies to teach new knowledge, deepen knowledge and organize students for cognitively complex tasks
• Demonstrated experience using a Standards Based Report Card
• Demonstrated ability to use and teach communication and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated understanding of working with students with special needs
• Demonstrated understanding of working with ELL students
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability in early literacy foundational skills
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of effective strategies to build oral, written, and reading vocabulary
• Provide instruction in a variety of settings including large groups, small groups and individual students as appropriate
• Analyze data to identify student needs and challenges
• Train and provide immediate supervision to instructional paraeducators as needed
• Advocate to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, establish rapport, and work effectively with children, families, staff, community members, and administrative personnel
• Plan, implement and evaluate classroom instruction, and activity program/s consistent with building and curriculum
• Model and implement effective instructional strategies and techniques across settings
• Prescribe learning and training programs for individual students based on student aptitude, interest, and achievement levels; provide for individual differences in student learning styles
• To apply knowledge of current goals and instructional techniques of designated content area(s) to students
• Communicate school programs to students and families
• Motivate students and develop a positive attitude toward learning
• Share in the sponsorship of student activities
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds
• Assume responsibility for safe and proper use of materials, equipment, and facilities, ensuring student safety
• Collaborate with and share strategies to support student success and achievement with families, teachers, other educators, and community organizations
• Organize and prioritize daily, weekly, and monthly schedules for timely work completion, to include timely submission of required reports, etc. for the purpose of compliance
• Participate in building- and grade-level meetings
• Actively participate in department meetings, staff meetings, and trainings
• Actively participate in district/building Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form using positive interpersonal skills
• Maintain highest degree of confidentiality
• Model appropriate behavior in alignment with District policies and expectations
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Each position in a building serves as one unit of the whole team.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Knowledge of current trends in education, current general education and instructional support curriculum and activities for elementary and/or secondary students, depending on assignment; OSPI rules and regulations regarding teacher certification, along with the OSPI Code of Professional Conduct and generally recognized professional practices.

Ability to: Work as a team member with administration, classified staff, and fellow teachers; work collaboratively under the Cheney School District Mission Statement; communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written communications; use email to receive District communication; utilize technology and software to complete duties and responsibilities; maintain emotional control under stress; work with multiple deadlines and frequent interruptions is required. Ability to work alone and in a team setting; maintain good rapport with supervisors, colleagues, students, and the public.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Required to regularly engage in problem solving and decision making; deal with a wide range of behaviors and needs in a positive and service-oriented manner; sustain mental awareness while also maintaining attention to details and safety requirements; may occasionally support with distraught or difficult adults and children.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, walk, and/or stand for extended periods of time
• Amount of sitting, standing and walking may vary depending on projects/tasks. Generally, the job requires 50% standing, 30% walking, and 20% sitting
• The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, sit, stand, walk, bend at neck and back, twist body, use hands to push/pull and lift/carry, squat, kneel, stoop, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee often remains indoors, however, may occasionally work in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Washington State Teacher Certificate with elementary education endorsement
• Bilingual or biliterate preferred

CLEARANCES

• WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance

EVALUATION

The employee shall be evaluated per the terms of the Cheney Education Association (CEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement by the building principal, department director, or designee. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above Duties and Responsibilities, Essential Functions, and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Valid Washington State Teacher Certificate with elementary education endorsement
• Must complete school safety training prior to deadline indicated within system and annually thereafter
• Attend designated trainings as specified by supervisor in order to maintain knowledge/skills
• Submit current/renewed certificates/licenses to Human Resources upon attaining

HISTORY

Job description updated: March 2025

Cheney Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, economic status, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions: Title IX/Chapter 28A.640 Officer/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator/ADA Coordinator - Tom Arlt, Assistant Superintendent, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd. Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4550; Section 504 Coordinator - Franklin Day, Director of Student Support Services, Cheney School District, 12414 S. Andrus Rd., Cheney, WA 99004 Phone: (509) 559-4507.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $56,431 - $110,208