2025-2026 Biology Teacher (9th Grade)

Job Title: 9th Grade Biology teacher                                                            Wage/ Status: Exempt

Department: High School                                                                          HR Revised: April 2025

Reports to: High School Principal                           

Under the general supervision of the High School Principal and Assistant Principal, the 9th Grade Biology Teacher provides high school students with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. Through successful utilization of the IB curriculum, students will be able to achieve academic success and develop competencies and skills to successfully function in society.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university required; Graduate degree preferred.
• IB experience preferred.
• State certification in a related subject.
• Demonstrated competency in assigned core academic subject areas.
• Is legally able to work in the United States.
• Must complete the state-required fingerprinting and criminal background check.

Experience:

• Two years (2) plus years of experience in an educational or IB environment desirable.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States.
• Must complete the state-required fingerprinting and criminal background check.
• Must comply with TEA regulations, applicable federal, state, and local laws, school policies, and standards of the Professional Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of curriculum design, implementation and the IB standards.
• General knowledge of curriculum and instructional best practices for in-person and online learning knowledge of core academic subjects assigned.
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior in-person and online.
• Ability to support students with basic device setup, navigation, and technology issues.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to students, employees, volunteers, and the general operations of Westlake Academy.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to accept and implement constructive suggestions or criticism in a professional manner.
• Continually strives to improve classroom methods, teaching techniques, increasing knowledge of content subject matter and interpersonal relationships.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Strategies

• Exhibits a strong commitment to the success of the mission, goals, and objectives of the Academy. 
• Delivers methods and modes of instruction wholly inclusive of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) standards, practices, framework, and philosophy.
• Instructs MYP Biology classes with enthusiasm, creativity, and sensitivity to student learning styles.
• Develops clear and appropriate lessons aligned to the IB planner.
• Instructs students within a constructivist and inquiry-based pedagogy aligned with the IB Framework.
• Differentiates learning to ensure depth of learning for all students.
• Assesses students through formative and summative assessment tools and utilizes formative and summative data to improve learning for all students.
• Determines the appropriate pace for instruction related to students' abilities and explains material and subject content to students and parents.
• Establishes standards of behavior in the classroom to achieve a positive and functional learning atmosphere.
• Selects and organizes instructional materials and equipment for the unit of inquiry and maintains up-to-date planners in ManageBac.
• Responsible for writing and recording student reports and grades at the required times.
• Mentors students engaging in the MYP Personal Project as requested by the programme coordinator.
• Motivates students to achieve their highest level of ability and potential through classroom activities, assignments, relationships, curricular implementation, student participation and feedback.
• Manages the behavior of students in assigned class and assists with managing the behavior of all other students when possible. Disciplines students as is necessary, appropriate, and consistent with the Westlake Academy Code of Conduct.
• Provides a classroom atmosphere based on the principles of firm, fair, and consistent practices, good citizenship, and respect for and understanding of individual children, and development of responsible behavior.
• Completes ARD and 504 forms and attends meetings, as and when required.
• Continually strives to improve classroom methods, teaching techniques, increasing knowledge of content subject matter and interpersonal relationships.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Collaborate regularly with the IB coordinators and teachers to design, implement, and reflect on IB unit planners.
• Collaborates with the IB coordinators to produce supplementary teaching and learning materials that support IB conceptual understanding.
• Attend faculty meetings and other appropriate staff meetings.

Communication

• Maintains professional relationships and communication with parents, students, and campus personnel; ensures that all interactions are supportive, courteous, and respectful.
• Establish and maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.

Professional Growth and Development

• Stay informed of and comply with federal, state, district, and school regulations and policies for classroom teachers.
• Teachers should keep abreast of developments in My IB and the Programme Resource Center. 
• Participate in professional development activities that are aligned with campus goals, assigned areas of responsibility, and the varied needs of students.
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.

Other Duties

• Assists in the proctoring of state, internal, AP, or IB examinations.
• Assists with educational visits.
• Supports the Westlake Academy House system.
• Performs other duties, as assigned by the High School Principal and/or Head of School.
• Attends Board of Trustee meetings, as and when required.

EVALUATION

The performance of this job will be evaluated at least annually by the High School Principal or Assistant Principal.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Direct the work of instructional paraprofessionals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Posture: Prolonged sitting; Frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking; repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding, and use of mouse; occasional reaching.

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds), occasional heaving lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint; assisting non-ambulatory students

Environment: Work inside, may work outside.

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

DISCLAIMER

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

Salary : $61,000