Science/Social Studies Master Teacher- Elementary

Reports to the Principal and Director of TAP

About Algiers Charter

Since our inception in 2005, Algiers Charter has proudly served as a staple in the educational community. From our very first day, we operated with the belief that all students can achieve educational success. We are a two-school organization, whose commitment to excellence and student achievement has never been stronger. As we forge a strategic path forward, we are seeking dynamic educational leaders with a proven track record of success to help take our organization to the next level.

The educational landscape in New Orleans is one that requires significant and unrelenting performance and accountability. Our strategic plan for 2023 and beyond has unique operational, staffing and instructional designs so if you are ready to share our vision and commitment to student achievement and pathways, we invite you to submit an application to join our team.

What Success Means In This Position

The Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher is a full-time exempt role for 10.5 months during the academic year. This role helps students learn subject matter and/or skills that will contribute to their development as mature, able, responsible people who become lifelong learners. 

Position Description & Expectations

The primary role of the master teacher is to analyze student data and create and institute an academic achievement plan for the school. Master teachers lead cluster groups and provide exemplary lessons, coaching and team teaching to career teachers. They also spend, on average, 2 hours per day teaching students. Master teachers are partners with the principal in evaluating other teachers.

Professional Learning, Development, and Growth for Teachers:

Teachers are expected to attend yearly professional development in the form of:

• New Teacher Induction 
• Opening Professional Development for Teachers 
• Job embedded Professional Development
• Faculty and Grade-Level Meetings
• Other meetings as designated by school leaders
• Participate in all TAP trainings and become a Certified TAP Evaluator

Leadership Team Participation

Some of the responsibilities a Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher will have as a member of this team are to: analyze student data to identify student learning goals; develop a school academic achievement plan; create school assessment plan; monitor goal setting, activities, classroom follow-up and goal attainment for cluster groups and Individual Growth Plans (IGPs); assess teacher evaluation results; and maintain inter-rater reliability.

Cluster Group Planning and Implementation

As a cluster group leader, the  Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher will be responsible for: developing the long-range cluster plan, weekly cluster group meeting records and activities with other members of the Leadership Team; overseeing and leading, co-leading or attending selected cluster meetings following the 5 STEPS for Effective Learning; providing appropriate follow-up in the classroom; and assessing all cluster groups progress toward goals. A critical component of this role is to interact regularly with students. This is achieved through regular classroom teaching time.

Manage Teacher Individual Growth Plans

The Elementary Science/Social Studies Master teacher oversees groups of teachers in developing goals, provides instructional interventions with proven results, facilitates teacher proficiency with these new strategies through classroom-based follow-up, and ensures that the progression of teacher skill development as aligned with changing student learning needs.

Evaluations/Conferencing

The Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher conducts classroom evaluations and post conferences for both formal and informal observations.

Classroom Follow-up

The Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher is expected to work with all teachers to develop lessons for the classrooms. He/ She/ They will guide the work of the teachers and provide them with expert advice along the way. The master teacher also provides classroom support following every cluster meeting along with documentation (observation/feedback, model teaching "demonstration lessons" and team-teaching based on individual teacher mentoring situations).

Professional Growth

While the Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teacher is expected to come to the job with a high level of educational knowledge, they will be afforded the opportunity to work with TAP director and other master teachers to enhance their skills and provide their teachers with only the best instructional interventions and strategies. In some cases, mentor teachers will also attend selected in-service training sessions.

Evaluation

Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teachers are formally evaluated three (3) times a year (1 announced / 2 unannounced) by a member of the Instructional Leadership Team:

• Director of Performance and Accountability
• Director of TAP
• Principal and/or
• Master Teacher

Other Job Duties and Responsibilities

• As stated earlier, Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teachers will teach a portion of the day, which is flexible and can be clustered, and is at the discretion of the principal and/or Director of Performance and Accountability.
• Understand the unique AC environment and be able to uphold the mission of the school. Meet those standards of performance for his/her individual teaching assignment developed by the principal of the school, the LDE, and other state & federal requirements, including following the Louisiana Academic Standards.
• Guide the learning process of students in the classroom toward the achievement of curriculum goals set by the principal while upholding all state and federal guidelines.
• Assist the administration in implementing all school and AC policies. Achieve those goals included in the Student Learning Targets (SLTs) developed jointly with the Principal or Assistant Principal as part of the accountability process mandated by the State Legislature and BESE policy.
• Consult with administrator(s), colleagues, students and/or parents on a regular basis.
• Serve on and participate in professional staff committees/meetings required.
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Strive to maintain and improve personal and professional competence.
• Serve the diverse, multicultural learning population by teaching to all learning styles and being cognizant of varying cultural needs

Stipend

In return for the stipend that is paid, Elementary Science/Social Studies Master Teachers are required to work a minimum of ten (10) additional days (5 days before teachers report and 5 days after the school year ends) and accomplish activities identified by the principals/directors. In consideration of said services rendered, it is agreed that the stipend for the year shall be $8,000 ($333.33 per pay period). This is contingent upon continued funding for the school year. All teachers are subject to re-qualification each year the Teacher Advancement Program is funded.

Termination

The agreement may be terminated by both parties by providing Human Resources with a ten (10) day written notice. Upon termination of the contract, the master teacher may be eligible for a career teaching position contingent upon the availability of a position in the certification area. An existing career teacher cannot be moved to accommodate a former master teacher.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Education or related area of study, required
• Master's Degree in  Education or related area of study, highly preferred
• Two years of teaching experience preferred
• Valid Louisiana Teaching Certificate with Louisiana Certification, preferred
• Proven record of high student achievement as listed on previous evaluations and Compass scores, highly preferred
• Desire and ability to succeed in a student-friendly, detail-oriented, community environment
• Demonstrate attributes of a growth mindset
• Belief in the Algiers Charter mission and educational model
• Open to professional learning, formal/informal observations, and feedback