Social Studies Teacher

Job Title

Performs difficult professional work providing a broad range of teaching services or specific learning program, assisting students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed as a foundation for future learning in accordance with each student's ability, using a variety of teaching and learning methods at various levels to a targeted audience, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Principal.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Based on North Carolina Teaching Salary Schedule.

Reports to Principal.

Essential Functions

• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials providing effective teaching strategies.
• Maintains effective classroom management, recognizes and addresses learning and behavior issues.
• Understand developmental appropriateness of materials and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
• Evaluates accomplishments of students on a regular basis using multiple assessment methods; provides progress and interim reports for feedback.
• Communicates with parents in a timely manner; maintains positive and constructive communication with students, staff, parents and community.
• Protects students, equipment, materials and facilities taking necessary and reasonable precautions.
• Upholds and enforces board policy, district goals, administrative procedures and school rules and regulations. Adheres to health and safety policies.
• Maintains appropriate work habits, including regular and punctual attendance and appropriate use of conference and planning time.
• Keeps current in subject matter knowledge and learning theory; Attends workshops, seminars and conferences as well as staff, department, curricular development and committee meetings and staff-development session as required.
• Respects the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents and teachers in accordance with accepted professional ethics and state and federal laws.
• Shares responsibility during the school day for the supervision of students in areas of the school.

Ability to perform non-instructional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Standard I: Teachers Demonstrate Leadership

The Teacher:

1. Leads in the classroom by taking responsibility for all students' learning.
2. Demonstrates leadership in the school by working collaboratively with all school personnel to create a professional learning community.
3. Leads the teaching profession by striving to improve the profession.
4. Advocates for schools and students by promoting positive change in policies and practices affecting student learning.
5. Demonstrates high ethical standards by upholding the Code of Ethics and Standards for Professional Conduct

Standard II: Teachers Establish a Respectful Environment for a Diverse Population of Students

The Teacher:

1. Provides an environment in which each child has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults by encouraging a climate that is inviting, respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible.
2. Embraces diversity in the school community and in the world by demonstrating knowledge of diverse cultures.
3. Treats students as individuals by maintaining high expectations for all students; and by appreciating differences and valuing contributions.
4. Adapts teaching for the benefit of students with special needs by collaborating with specialists.
5. Works collaboratively with the families and significant adults in the lives of their students by improving communication and collaboration between the school and the home and community.

Standard III: Teachers Know the Content They Teach

The Teacher:

1. Aligns instruction with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.
2. Knows the content appropriate to teaching specialty by bringing a richness and depth of understanding to the classroom.
3. Recognizes the interconnectedness of content areas/discipline by knowing the links and vertical alignment of grade or subject taught.
4. Makes instruction relevant to students by incorporating 21st century life skills into teaching deliberately, strategically, and broadly.

Standard IV: Teachers Facilitate Learning for Their Students

The Teacher

1. Knows the ways in which learning takes place and the appropriate levels of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students by knowing how students think and learn.
2. Plans instruction appropriate for students by collaborating with colleagues and using a variety of data sources for planning.
3. Uses a variety of instructional methods by choosing methods and techniques that are most effective in meeting the needs of students.
4. Integrates and utilizes technology in instruction by knowing when and how to use technology to maximize student learning.
5. Helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging students to ask questions, think creatively, and draw conclusions.
6. Helps students work in teams and develop leadership qualities by teaching the importance of cooperation and collaboration.
7. Communicates effectively in ways that are clearly understood by students.
8. Uses a variety of methods to assess what each student has learned by using multiple indicators to evaluate student progress.

Standard V: Teachers Reflect on Their Practice

The Teacher:

1. Analyzes student learning by thinking systematically and critically about student learning.
2. Links professional growth to professional goals by participating in continued, high quality professional development that reflects a global view of educational practices.
3. Functions effectively in a complex, dynamic environment by understanding that change is constant.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an approved education program in subject area.
• Strong background in North Carolina Course of Study/Common Core and Essential Standards.

Physical Requirements

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Special Requirements

• NC Teaching License in appropriate subject area or have qualifications to obtain a NC teaching License.

NC DPI Licensure

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.