Middle School English Teacher

Position Description

Position: Middle School English - 7th and 8th grades

Date Effective: Immediate

Education: Bachelors (required), Masters (preferred)

Part-Time: 20 hours per week - morning shift

Location: Onsite

Salary range: $30,000-$40,000

Benefits: N/A

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to the Head of Middle School, Michelle Jones at [email protected]

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Whitby seeks an experienced, thoughtful, and innovative English teacher to join our middle school team of passionate educators in grades 5-8. We strive to provide excellence in both language and literature instruction to students with a range of abilities and passions. At Whitby, students are active participants who drive the learning process through inquiry and reflection. In order to help students engage to their fullest potential, the English department employs a holistic approach, committed to helping all students discover not only the skills, concepts, and broader ideas surrounding language and literature, but also who they are as learners and as people. English classes focus on analysis and organization, as well as the creative production of text and use of language, both written and oral. Ideas presented in English classes are rooted in the conceptual framework of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and placed within larger global contexts to help students make sense of the world around them. Students examine multiple genres and text types through reading and writing, and each grade includes a world literature component. Peer and self-assessment, as well as teacher conferencing, are key components of our program. A willingness to share and listen with colleagues, respect, and trust when working with others and a passion for language and literature are a must. The curriculum leader provides leadership and organization in the middle school. Candidates must be passionate about Middle school students and willing to support the student experience in a variety of roles.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Holds a college degree in English and/or education
• Holds a work permit for USA
• Has a minimum of three years experience teaching English, preferably in a middle school setting
• Passionate about teaching middle school students and strong knowledge about their developmental needs
• IB MYP experience is preferred but not required
• Willingness to engage in IB MYP training and professional development both inside and outside of the regular teacher calendar
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment background check

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching

• Engages students in active learning
• Promotes a “hands-on and minds-on” culture of thinking, stimulates inquiry into local, regional and global issues from multiple perspectives and develops the understanding that the opinions of others may also be right.
• Challenges students to become life-long learners by taking risks and reflecting on their experiences
• Delivers differentiated instruction based on identified student needs and learning styles
• Utilizes a range of teaching techniques effectively and inquiry-based instruction whenever appropriate
• Engages collaboratively with members of the Individuals and Societies Department and the school faculty
• Integrates a variety of resources effectively to enhance instruction
• Communicates in a clear, inviting, respectful, and caring manner with students
• Institutes effective classroom management routines; utilizes positive discipline techniques and displays awareness of the whole classroom
• Builds a strong sense of personal and social responsibility that sets the foundation for a balanced lifestyle and encourages service to others, our community and our environment.
• Promotes international-mindedness throughout our curriculum by exploring our diversity of culture, language and experience while gaining insights from the unique perspectives of our host culture.
• Develops the use of technology as a learning tool within the classroom and as an extension of the classroom when appropriate.

Assessing

• Administers varied and flexible strategies and tools for assessment
• Applies assessment results to inform instruction
• Identifies prior knowledge and developmental preparedness
• Plans for and clearly communicates the nature of assessment tasks that link to the instructional goals set for student learning in accordance with the assessment policy
• Communicates assessment results and utilizes these results in goal-setting with all stakeholders frequently and effectively
• Keeps accurate records of student assessment data and achievement
• Writes accurate school progress reports to inform and document learning

Planning

• Utilizes assessment data to plan teaching and learning
• Promotes the acquisition of concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes
• Develops plans that are differentiated based on students’ needs, learning styles and learning goals
• Prepares plans that include short-term and long-term student goals
• Reflects on teaching and learning and uses recorded reflections to inform future learning

Classroom environment

• Creates a safe, inviting, clean and organized environment that invites interaction and where materials are accessible to students.
• Provide an open-minded, supportive and caring atmosphere through a climate of commitment, empathy, respect and open communication.
• Promotes student ownership of learning and independence through the thoughtful organization of the classroom
• Fosters an environment that accommodates various learning styles

Professional Conduct

• Actively supports the mission of the school and models the IB Learner Profile
• Follows through in essential agreements and adheres to the established policies, procedures and guidelines of Whitby School
• Acts professionally at all times to represent the school appropriately including in social contexts and in social media
• Contributes to community building and positive morale by participating actively in whole school initiatives including the co-curricular and wellness programs of the school
• Actively collaborates with colleagues
• Takes responsibility for all students
• Encourages parent and family involvement in each student’s learning to enhance the success of our programs
• Respects the confidentiality of all school data and student information