7th ELA Teacher (LOA)

THE WAYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEEK A 7tTH GRADE ELA MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER FOR A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

WPS is a high-achieving west-suburban district of 2,800 students, with one preschool, three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Our diverse student body hails from Wayland and Boston and is composed of 32% students of color and 68% white students, with 15% of our students having a first language other than English. We seek educators who embrace the diversity of our students and can lead our staff and students in attaining our district’s mission:

“Personal and civic responsibility, love of learning, and empathy for others; these are the qualities that the Wayland Public Schools seek to instill in its students. At its core, our mission is to provide a rigorous and stimulating academic environment that promotes the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Yet we deem it equally important to nurture self-confident, collaborative, and conscientious individuals. We strive to create a climate where risk-taking is safeguarded, open expression is encouraged, and free association is protected. Our goal is to advance our students' growth into principled, informed, and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum, and shape a just society where individuals may reach their full potential.”

We welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on relationships, belonging, and excellence. Join us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community; implement equitable practices for all of our students, staff, and families; create meaningful connections that foster a sense of belonging; and provide an outstanding educational experience for students, staff, and families.

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  Citizenship, residency, or work visa required
• Successful completion of Criminal Records Check (C.O.R.I.), Sexual Offender Record Check (S.O.R.I.), and fingerprints.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related area required
• • Master’s degree preferred

Professional Certification:

• MA DESE Licensure or eligibility 5-8 in applicable field
• • Dual licensure in Special Education or ESL highly desirable
• SEI Endorsement

Specialized Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the developmental needs of pre/adolescents, including their academic, social, and emotional needs
• Strong foundation in student-centered teaching theories and pedagogy in the Middle School model and in teaching in heterogeneous classrooms
• Strong content-area knowledge and expertise
• Working knowledge the Massachusetts Standards-Based curriculum and the principles of UDL
• Working knowledge of SEL instruction and supports
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of diversity, equity, belonging, and social justice

Experience (preferred, but not required):

• Experience teaching in a diverse public middle school preferred
• Experience working with students with disabilities/special abilities preferred
• Experience working with students who are English language learners preferred
• Experience with Google Suite (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Classroom, etc.) and PowerSchool preferred, but will train the right candidate
• Demonstrated aptitude for work to be performed

Specialized Skills:

• • Bilingual skills are desirable but not required

• 
  Spanish bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, as a dual-immersion program is in development at the middle school level.

• Must have well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Candidates must be able to multitask in a fast-paced, supportive environment
• Candidates must be organized and able to meet ongoing, time-sensitive deadlines for work production

Alternative degrees/experience may be substituted for the above

at the discretion of the Superintendent,

if such a substitution brings a strong candidate forward.

The information contained in this job description are illustrations of the various types of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them for the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.

Job Goal: As the substitute classroom leader, the teacher is responsible for creating a welcoming and equitable learning environment. The teacher develops and implements learning experiences that create a sense of belonging and community, that foster curiosity, and support student achievement.

Responsibilities:

• Create an environment of belonging that is conducive to students’ growth as learners and community members;
• Embrace the diversity of the students and ensure that they all have equitable opportunities for learning and belonging;
• Provide appropriate learning experiences in applicable content and SEL areas, guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and district standards and requirements;
• Monitor students' understanding of the curriculum and strategically adjust instruction, materials, and assessments to meet the needs of students;
• Keep current in the developments in the content area and pedagogy;
• Hold high expectations for all students, provide appropriate support, and serve as a facilitator of student learning;
• Actively participate in the accomplishment of the goals and priorities of their team/grade/PLC/school/district
• Collaborate often and effectively with colleagues regarding curriculum, assessments, and meeting individual student needs;
• Collaborate with colleagues in school counseling, special education, and ESL departments, as well as administration and clinical staff when necessary;
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with families/caregivers to support students’ academic and social-emotional development.
• Work with district and school leadership to combat systemic barriers that limit student, family, and staff members’ equitable access to opportunity
• Any other relative duties as assigned.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

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

• read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids;
• communicate with others so that information received and given is understood and accurately communicated;
• communicate and collaborate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person, via video conference, on the telephone, and/or in writing;
• remain in a stationary position for periods of time;
• position oneself to maintain and access school/classroom/office materials;
• move through the classroom, school, school grounds, office, and/or off-site locations.
• operate a computer and other school/office/educational productivity machinery;
• observe details at close range;
• in the school setting, ensure the safety of students;
• multitask and meet multiple demands from several people;
• lifting up to and including 25 lbs
• the noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

The substitute teacher has no supervisory duties other than to direct Teaching Assistants and support staff in their classroom.

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The Superintendent reserves the right to re-advertise any and all positions.
All “anticipated” positions are subject to cancellation or change.

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The Wayland Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer which actively seeks to increase the diversity of its work force and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other class protected by law. in admission to, access to, employment in, or treatment in its programs and activities. The Wayland Public Schools System is committed to maintaining a harassment-free school environment.

Date Updated: 4/2/24