Teacher - Science (M/J)

Educator Opportunity

Polk County Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the nation, encompassing more than 120 schools and serving more than 117,000 students through both traditional K-12 schools and a variety of other programs. While expanding its physical footprint, Polk County Public Schools has also built a reputation for educational excellence, as evidenced by its more than 20 nationally accredited workforce academies, five Florida Arts Model Schools, and a rising number of schools offering Advanced Placement and Cambridge International programs. As it grows and innovates, Polk County Public Schools remains true to its mission of delivering a high-quality education to every student … because, at Polk County Public Schools, students always come first.

Polk County Public Schools is looking for adaptable, independent, and detail-oriented educators to join our team.

Our mission is to provide a high-quality education for all students. This position exists to ensure that all students learn the basic and essential skills at each grade level.

Essential Functions of this Job

Instructional Process:

• Plans and implements a program of instruction that adheres to the district's philosophy, goals and objectives as outlined in the adopted courses of study.
• Makes purposeful and appropriate lesson plans which provide for effective teaching strategies and maximizes time on task.
• Plans and implements a program of study designed to meet individual needs of students.
• Creates a classroom environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate teaching strategies.
• Encourages student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good study habits.
• Provides progress and interim reports as required.
• Prepares substitute folder containing appropriate information as requested by the building principal.
• Plans and prescribes purposeful assignments for paraprofessionals, tutors, and volunteers as needed.
• Recognizes learning problems and make referrals as appropriate.
• Demonstrates a strong grasp of subject matter. Uses effective oral and written expression.

Curriculum Development:

• Keeps current in subject matter knowledge and learning theory and is willing to share this knowledge for the continual improvement of the school's curriculum.
• Assists in the on-going curriculum revision process, including the revision of written courses of study.
• Assists in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.
• Become acquainted with supplemental services beneficial to students as an extension of regular classroom activities.

Classroom Management:

• Develops, in accordance with district and building guidelines, reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate discipline techniques which are consistently applied.
• Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Share responsibility during the school day for supervision of students in all areas of the school.
• Provides for the supervision of assigned students when circumstances require a brief absence from the assignment.

Public Relations:

• Upholds and enforces board policy, administrative procedures, and school rules and regulations; and is supportive of them to the public.
• Maintains appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Strives to communicate the positive aspects of our school program to the public in word and deed.
• Works cooperatively with parents to strengthen the educational program for their children.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relations with other staff.

Professional Growth:

• Continues professional growth through attendance at workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced coursework at institutions of higher learning.
• Maintains membership in appropriate professional organizations.
• Cooperates with the administration in planning appropriate in-service training programs on a building or district level.
• Attends staff, department, and committee meetings as required.

Student Evaluation:

• Evaluates accomplishments of students on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods such as teacher-made test, sample of students work, mastery skills check lists, criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced tests.
• Make appropriate adjustments in the instructional program based on assessed results.
• Performs duties necessary to maintain the accountability required for the instructional program and as required by the building principal.
• Respects the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics, and state and federal laws.

Non-Essential Functions of this Job:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work cooperatively with parents, school districts and agencies in providing services to students. Ability to develop concepts and ideas and relate both in oral and written form.
• Knowledge of child development. Ability to administer testing instruments as required.
• Must possess strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with students, teams and groups.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the position. Bilingual/biliterate preferred.

Education, Experience and/or Certification/License Requirements:

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must be Certified, Qualified and Highly Qualified as defined by the Course Code(s) assigned.

Work Context:

• Requires sitting, standing, walking and moving about to coordinate work.
• Requires the use of alternative communication systems, such as electronic mail, telephones and computers.
• Requires coordination of work tasks to establish priorities, set goals and meet deadlines.
• Requires face-to-face discussions and contact with individuals and/or teams.
• Requires work with students, internal and external contacts, and with the public.

Physical Environment:

• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. May require working outdoors as well, with exposure to outdoor elements including weather changes, foliage, insects, etc.
• Requires sitting, standing and the ability to lift, carry, move and/or position objects frequently weighing up to 20 pounds and infrequently weighing more than 20 pounds.