WHS Library Media Specialist/English Teacher (Beginning 25/26)

WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

AREA: Library Media Specialist/English Teacher

LOCATION: Whitefish High School

Whitefish School District seeks a High School Library Media Specialist/English Teacher to join one of the leading school districts in the state of Montana. With the support of our community, Whitefish School District creates an educational environment where each student can reach their academic potential, prepare for career opportunities and become engaged citizens.

The Whitefish School District seeks educators with a track-record of raising student achievement to join the team of educators already dedicated to providing a deeper learning instructional program to all students.  At Whitefish Public Schools, educators are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through the support of our school culture, the development and instruction of a rigorous curriculum, and the use of data to drive their daily practice.

SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT:

This full-time position shares the roles of a Library Media Specialist and an English teacher. The high school library media program fosters independent learners who can effectively consume and produce information using various formats. By collaborating across disciplines and emphasizing the learning process, school libraries empower the entire community to acquire essential information skills for responsible global citizenship. We aim to cultivate lifelong learners by instilling a love for reading, respect for information, and an ongoing thirst for knowledge. Libraries in a democratic society play a key role in embracing the social responsibility of learning.

The English teacher fosters a classroom environment that equips students with essential communication and literacy skills through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The teacher inspires students to appreciate and explore diverse literature, cultivating critical thinking for evaluating mass media communications. By utilizing the school's English curriculum aligned with Montana State Standards, the teacher nurtures individual talents in English and Language Arts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Whitefish Public Schools seeks candidates with strong character, passion for excellence and a relentless commitment to student achievement. Applicants should also meet the following requirements);      

• Valid Montana educator license with Library Media Endorsement and English Endorsement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Background experience and ability to serve as a high school Library Media Specialist
• Background experience and ability to teach high school English courses.
• Ability and willingness to work with students in extracurricular or co-curricular activities.
• Strong background in using English and Language Arts resources and technology in the classroom.
• Embraces 21st-century learning skills that promote self-direction, collaboration, and critical thinking.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

  Library Media and Technology

• Partner with teachers across all disciplines to implement content area standards and support students in the inquiry/research process.
• Promote and model ethical information use, copyright compliance, and respect for intellectual property.
• Cultivate and maintain a library collection that is current, balanced, and reflects the diverse historical and cultural contributions of Montana's American Indians and other minority and ethnic groups.
• Engage in long-range planning to manage library resources effectively, ensuring accessibility and organization of on-site materials.
• Implement a robust collection development policy.
• Collaborate with teachers to highlight connections between curricular areas.
• Cooperate with other libraries, information agencies, and community resources to share materials.
• Foster partnerships with information centers that utilize electronic information systems.
• Participate in school-wide technology and telecommunications planning, and promote its integration into all instructional programs.
• Oversee the digital learning program, including tracking student progress and achievement.

Teaching and Learning

• Exhibit an unwavering commitment to improving students' lives and minds, and take full responsibility for their academic success or failure.
• Uphold and exemplify the school's core values, guiding philosophy, rules, and spirit in interactions with colleagues, students, parents, and the wider community.
• Dedicate the necessary time and effort to becoming a master teacher, while remaining open to innovative teaching methods, feedback from colleagues and administration, and professional development opportunities.
• Actively participate in professional development, including data analysis and planning, best practice sharing, peer coaching, and conferences.
• Be prepared to teach within your endorsement areas, potentially using a cross-disciplinary, team-based approach.
• Respect authority and adhere to Board Policy and Administrative directives.
• Instruct assigned classes at designated times and locations.
• Foster a positive and effective classroom environment.
• Prepare for classes, create and maintain weekly lesson plans aligned with the curriculum, and differentiate instruction to meet all students' needs.
• Integrate thinking strategies and study skills across all subjects, and design learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and relationship-centered.
• Develop and deliver district curriculum based on Montana Common Core Standards, and implement integrated literacy and reading skills.
• Maintain open communication with students, staff, and parents, and demonstrate alignment with the District and Building Vision to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship.
• Prepare and maintain course content sheets and unit plans.
• Promote and maintain high standards of classroom behavior.
• Utilize diverse instructional techniques and media that cater to students' needs and abilities.
• Implement the District's philosophy of instruction, instructional goals, and objectives through teaching and actions.
• Take necessary precautions to safeguard students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records in accordance with legal, District Policy, and Administrative requirements.
• Enforce school rules, Administrative regulations, and Board Policy.

      Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate student progress to parents.
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings.
• Collaborate with Administration and colleagues to plan instructional goals, objectives, and methods, and to determine student-guided and self-guided activities.
• Assist in selecting books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Participate in assigned co-curricular activities.
• Maintain positive and cooperative relationships with others.
• Pursue personal professional growth through continuous learning via reading, workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced coursework.

     Additional Responsibilities

• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This type of work involves walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time as required by situations of job position. Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, providing oral and written information, the manual dexterity to move related equipment, and the skills necessary to handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job.May be required to lift or move up to 20 pounds. The physical demands & work-environment characteristics described within this job description 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.

MENTAL/MOTOR DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee rarely performs routine work. The employee frequently exercises flexibility (ability to shift from one task to another). Guidance and reinforcement are usually available. The employee frequently works within time constraints and maintains attentiveness intensity. The employee is frequently involved in social interactions which require oral and written communications. The physical demands & work-environment characteristics described within this job description 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. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

School year working days as set by the Board of Trustees.  Salary, benefits and other working conditions as negotiated between the Whitefish School District and Whitefish Education Association and as assigned by the administration.

EVALUATION:

Performance of said duties will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Professional Personnel.