Freshman Seminar Teacher (2026-2027 SY) Southwest High School

JOB GOAL:

The role of the Freshman Seminar Teacher is to develop in each student an awareness of

various career and college options; assist students in successful transitions to high school as well as preparation for career and college; to motivate each student to acquire knowledge of financial literacy time management and problem solving skills. The Freshman Seminar teacher will increase promotion rates of ninth-grade students by creating a welcoming environment that eases the transition from middle to high school.

To help students master subject content and credentialing skills that contribute to their educational social development and career/college readiness incorporating a framework clustered into four domains of teaching responsibility: planning and preparation classroom environment instruction and professional responsibilities.

Summary:

Little Rock Southwest High School is seeking highly qualified teachers and staff to work in an energized innovative and collaborative culture characterized by:

• Student focused learning
• Growth mindset
• A safe supportive and respectful atmosphere
• High-energy and enjoyable environment

All teaching professionals will embrace the Career Academy model with high standards and expectations for themselves and their students in a family-like atmosphere. A career and college focus at Little Rock Southwest High School is pivotal to a culture where diversity is celebrated and connected to the community and its business partners.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Nine and one-fourth (9.25) month contract (190 days) on teachers salary schedule plus Benefit Package NOTE: Precise placement on the salary schedule will be determined based upon experience. FLSA: EXEMPT .

NOTE: The successful candidate must have a willingness to participate in on-going professional development summer 2020 and continuing throughout the school year both on and off contract times when requested by the Administration. Appropriate compensation will be given within the compensation guidelines of licensed personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelors degree required; field of study correlated to teaching assignment as a Freshman Seminar teacher.
2. Teacher with any licensure code preferred certification in a career technical education area.
3. Demonstrates a willingness to try new teaching and assessment strategies that would benefit all students.
4. Willingness to participate in on-going staff development.
5. Ability to teach to differences and sensitivity to cultural differences.
6. Commitment to staff development and to apply new techniques in the classroom.
7. Demonstrates the conviction that all children can and will learn in the Little Rock School District.
8. Evidence of a strong commitment to quality desegregated education.
9. Ability to articulate student progress clearly to parents.
10. Evidence of the ability to design and implement hands-on activities and thematic units in all content areas.
11. Strong organizational communication and interpersonal skills.

Such alternatives and additions to the above qualifications may be deemed appropriate by the Superintendent. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may require.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements of duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position.

1. Planning and Preparation: Plans prepares and delivers instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences demonstrating pedagogy knowledge of students instructional goals knowledge of resources coherent instruction and assessing student learning.
2. Classroom Environment: Establishes a culture of learning: managing classroom procedure and student behavior as well as organizing physical space. Applies appropriate disciplinary measures when necessary.
3. Instruction: Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media consistent with the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved communicating with students using questioning and discussion techniques engaging students in learning using assessment in instruction and utilizing technology. Effectively infuses technology into instructional activities and the overall learning experiences.
4. Professional Responsibilities: Develops and adheres to professional responsibilities reflecting on teaching maintaining accurate records communication with families contributing to the assigned School and the District at large growing and developing professionally showing professionalism using data to inform instruction.
5. Teach skills knowledge dispositions through courses in Freshman Seminar to secondary students utilizing course guidelines aligned with the Freshman Seminar Blended Curriculum the Freshman Academy Curriculum Naviance and other appropriate curriculum pacing guides in teaching individual course content.
6. Administer a yearly aptitude-based talent discovery assessment to uncovers students natural talents and align them with their best-fit high-demand pathways and careers.
7. Plan a Freshman Seminar Program involving demonstrations discussions Project Based Learning Field Experiences and student led conferences; organizes activities for optimuml learning in an academy learning model.
8. Provide individual or small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students and to accommodate circumstances where a variety of projects and lessons are being worked on simultaneously.

9. Plan and deliver lessons on Leadership development mentorship social skill building/

   behavioral norms in high school time management financial literacy College financial aid information career/personality assessments problem-solving skills making good choices/decision-making skills interview skills/resumes and cover letters/job readiness skills and other services related to preparation for college and career as well as success in high school.

10. Design learning activities that will allow students to focus on learning more about themselves and their interests and aptitude as well as learning study skills life skills employability/professional skills and career knowledge.

11. Establish and maintain standards of student behavior needed to provide an orderly productive classroom environment.
12. Evaluate each students growth in college and career knowledge and skills.
13. Select and requisition books and instructional aids and instructional supplies and maintain required inventory records.
14. Communicate with parents and school counselors on student progress.
15. Supervise students in and out-of-classroom during the assigned work day.
16. Participate in curriculum and other developmental programs.
17. Maintain professional competence through professional learning activities provided by the District and/or in self-selected professional growth activities.
18. Participate cooperatively with the appropriate administrator in the evaluation process.
19. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental Functions Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit stand walk go up and down stairs operate foot and hand controls use a telephone and write. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to twenty (20) or more pounds. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound near and far vision depth perception handling and working with educational materials and/or objects and providing oral information. Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period and to be physically present and at assigned work with only infrequent unexcused absences during the contract year. Additional technical skills knowledge and abilities may be recommended by immediate supervisor and approved by the Human Resources Director.

Required Experience:

IC