Fine Arts Teacher

Job Title: Teacher - Fine Arts Wage/Hour Status: Exempt Reports to: Principal or designee Pay Grade: Teacher Pay Scale Dept./School: Campus Initiated Date: January 2025 WHO WE ARE La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students. Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community. Customer Service Trust & Transparency High-Quality Instruction Excellence in Leadership Integrity & Accountability We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit school as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR The ideal candidate will have demonstrated impact on student outcomes, accelerating student growth, building strong community relationships, and creating a culture of support and excellence. You must have the commitment and urgency needed to help quickly establish excellence and build structures to sustain that excellence over time. You will have to be ready for adaptive change in a very fast environment. WHY LA JOYA ISD You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your leadership journey and have access to the highest-quality, research-based resources and instructional materials. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of where we need to grow and learn. QUALIFICATIONS Education/Certification: Bachelor's degree required; Texas Teacher Certificate: Elementary Bilinugal or Fine Arts field (music, art, theatre, drama, dance, etc.) or eligible to receive Texas Teacher Certification with required endorsements for subject and level assigned, required Experience: Minimum of three year's teaching experience preferred Special Knowledge and Skills Proven success in leading a classroom in pursuit of academic excellence for all students Demonstrated ability to support all types of students, including students with special needs and Emergent Bilingual students Deep knowledge of curriculum and instruction as well as educational evidence-based practices Demonstrated knowledge in the arts Knowledgeable in the physical, mental and emotional child development process Experience in using and interpreting data to inform decision-making processes that allow for intentional actions and lead to improved student achievement Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) Strong organizational and collaboration skills Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred (required if teaching in a dual language classroom) MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Professional Growth Serve as a transformational educator working to create a best-in-class learning environment. Participate in professional development and training to improve skills related to job assignment. Foster collegiality and team building among staff members. Provide for two-way communication with staff, students, parents, and community. Demonstrate professional, ethical, and responsible behavior. Serve as a role model for students. Commit to professional growth through active participation in reading workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or other designated professional learning. Instructional Leadership: Promote the expectation for high-level performance from students and recognize excellence and achievement. Develop and monitor instructional and classroom management processes to ensure that instructional practices are aligned to evidence-based practices and implemented with fidelity. Ensure high-quality instructional materials and resources are implemented with fidelity. Prepare for classes assigned and fully internalize lessons and instructional requirements. Evaluate and assess student performance in alignment with campus and district practices and expectations. Disaggregate and interpret data in order to assist in developing appropriate next steps for classroom improvement. Professional Learning Community (PLC's) Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) that create positive relationships amongst teachers and administrators while fostering a team culture of open sharing, risk taking and shared leadership, to work effectively as a team. Attend and participate in faculty meetings, including designated PLC and other meetings. Effective Feedback Receive coaching and meaningful feedback. Participate in regular classroom visits as required. Culture & Climate Create, cultivate and lead a culture of excellence, support, and community for all classroom stakeholders. Develop a classroom student behavioral support system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the classroom and school climate. Facilitate effective and timely resolution of conflicts. Develop and maintain a classroom environment conducive to effective learning. Enhance students' social, emotional, behavioral, and academic achievement. Follow all policies, practices, and procedures that create optimal learning conditions for students with special needs in alignment with IDEA. School or Community Relations Make provisions for being available to students and parents for educational-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms. Communicate with parents, families, and communities on a regular and consistent basis to ensure clear and consistent messaging to parents on both campus and classroom events and information Engage with parents, families, and community members to increase parental involvement on the campus Demonstrate awareness of school and community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs using appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement. Fiscal, Administrative, and Facilities Functions Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation to accomplish instructional goals and objectives. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required including accurate and timely reports. Participate in safety inspections and drills. Comply with district policies, state and federal laws and regulations affecting schools. Supervisory Responsibilities None WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands Typical demands of a school environment. Lifting and carrying of books, boxes, and audiovisual equipment, light (15-20 pounds), climbing, stretching, visual acuity, walking, pulling, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, reaching, pushing, sitting, kneeling, standing, and twisting, may be required to control behavior through physical restraint. Work Environment Primarily school-based with regular interaction with district staff, educators, students, families, and community members. Campus visits will be required as needed and as a part of ensuring program implementation with fidelity and monitoring of service delivery models. Attendance at evening or weekend events may be required. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours. Reading, supporting instruction, demonstrating computer skills appropriate for assignment, effective communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work well with students, concentration (detailed work), interpretive skills (policy, procedure, dates), reasoning skills, understanding verbal instructions, analyzing, differentiating, memorizing, coordinating, compiling, and computing. Mental Demands: Must maintain emotional control under stress. POSITION WORKING DAYS 187 day teacher contract