Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Job Description: Teach pupils at the elementary level basic academic, social, and other formative skills in keeping with the school's Catholic character and Gospel values.

City & State: Harrisburg, PA

School: Holy Name of Jesus School

Grade Level(s): 6-8

Payroll Grade: 14

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Basic Job Description:

Establish and enforce rules and procedures to maintain order among the students for whom they are responsible. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities. Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students. Assign and grade class work and homework. Read books to entire classes or small groups. Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress. Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems. Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and determine their priorities and resource needs. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, diocesan policies, and administrative regulations. Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks. Guide and counsel students with adjustment and/or academic problems or special academic interests. Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help. Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines and requirements of the state, diocese, and school. Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play. Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons that promote learning and follow approved curricula. Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress. Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors. Collaborate with other teachers and administrators to develop, evaluate, and revise elementary school programs. Prepare reports on students and activities as required by the administration. Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. Organize and lead activities designed to promote physical, mental, and social development, such as games, arts and crafts, music, and storytelling. Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence for Act 48 Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, guest speaker visits, and other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from them. Organize and label materials and display students' work. Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required. Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret the results to determine students' strengths and areas of need. Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers. Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities to facilitate their participation in focused, complex play. Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, monitoring halls and cafeterias, and loading and unloading buses. Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies. Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms. Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests. Prepare and supervise students for Mass and other sacramental preparation.

Abilities Needed:

Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand another person's speech. Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Written Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Fluency of Ideas -- The ability to generate several ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). Deductive Reasoning -- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce logical answers. Inductive Reasoning -- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a specific order or pattern according to a set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, or mathematical operations). Originality -- The ability to generate unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Selective Attention -- The ability to concentrate on a task over time without being distracted. Category Flexibility -- The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. Flexibility of Closure -- The ability to identify a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden within other distracting material.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods. Must be able to meet all technological requirements for classroom management. Must be able to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and in an outdoor environment. Must be able to speak in an audible tone so others can understand clearly in both a normal classroom environment and an outdoor setting. Must have the physical ability to lift up to 25 pounds. Must be able to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities Required): Must possess a Bachelor's degree or higher, preferably in education or a related field. An active teaching certification is preferred. Otherwise, be willing to work towards obtaining one. Must possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents, and the community. Must comply with PA State clearance requirements. Must be a Catholic in good standing if teaching religion. Otherwise, must be willing to respect the Catholic Church and follow our basic morality guidelines.