Biology Teacher

Job Goal:


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), plus benefit package. NOTE: Precise placement within the salary range will be determined based upon education and 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:

Demonstrates a willingness to try new teaching and assessment strategies that would benefit all students.

1. Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.
2. Must meet Arkansas certification requirements in Biology 7-12.
3. Ability to teach to differences and sensitivity to cultural differences.
4. Commitment to staff development and to apply new techniques in the classroom.
5. Demonstrates the conviction that all children can and will learn in the Little Rock School District.
6. Evidence of a strong commitment to quality desegregated education.
7. Ability to articulate student progress clearly to parents.
8. Evidence of the ability to design and implement hands-on activities and thematic units in all content areas.
9. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

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. Meets and instructs assigned classes in the location and at the times designated.
5. Willingness to perform hands-on experiments with students.
6. Structures the classroom for cooperative learning activities.
7. Structures the learning environment to enable students to study the integrated science program outlined by the LRSD Curriculum Guides.
8. Evaluates equipment and supplies and work with the department head to replace supplies.
9. Meets and instructs assigned classes at the designated location and time.
10. Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students.
11. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
12. Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor.
13. Encourages students to set and maintain high standards of classroom behavior.
14. Employs a variety of instructional techniques, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
15. Assesses the accomplishments or students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
16. Demonstrates knowledge of lab safety procedures in dealing with situations in which accidents could happen.
17. Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administration regulation.
18. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or rules governing student life and conduct, and for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in a fair and just manner.
19. Makes provisions for being available to students and parents for education related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
20. Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
21. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.
22. Performs 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.