8th Grade Science Teacher

BENTON HARBOR AREA SCHOOLS

Job Description

JOB TITLE: 8th Grade Science Teacher

SUPERVISOR: Building Principal

LOCATION: Fair Plain Middle School

JOB SUMMARY: Job responsibilities include but are not limited to: teaching courses in Science; developing lesson plans; providing opportunities for individualized and small group instruction; and establishing and maintaining student behavior to provide a productive classroom environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement (DX or DI, grades 6-12) OR qualifies for a full-year permit and BHAS Teacher-in-Training Pathway
• Have at least two (2) years of successful teaching experience.
• Familiarity with virtual/online learning.
• Ability to incorporate technology into the classroom.
• Strong academic preparation and leadership ability.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proven ability to meet the challenges of an urban school district
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education
• Five (5) years of successful teaching experience
  
  

Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Teach skills, knowledge, and scientific attitudes through courses in Science, utilizing a course of study adopted by the Board of Education and by using other approved learning activities.
• Develop lesson plans and appropriate instructional materials stressing "discovery" and computer laboratory learning methods.
• Provide opportunities for individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Plan a program involving demonstrations, lectures, discussions, and student experiments; organize laboratory activities for optimum learning.
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior for a productive learning environment during class sessions and field trips.
• Evaluate each pupil's knowledge, skills, and scientific attitude growth in the course being taught.
• Maintain professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and/or self-selected professional growth activities.
• Communicate with parents and with guidance counselors on the individual progress of students.
• Administer or monitor group standardized tests per the district-testing program.
• Provide opportunities for individualized and small group instruction to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior for a productive learning environment during class sessions and field trips.
• Evaluate each pupil's growth in knowledge and skills in the course being taught.
• Maintain professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Instruct students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative rules and regulations of the Board of Education.
• Select and requisition books, instructional materials, and supplies and maintain required inventory records.
• Identify student needs and cooperate with other professional and support staff in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Supervise students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned workday.
• Participate in curriculum development programs as required.
• Participate in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
• Participate cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which he/she will be evaluated in conformity with district guidelines.
• Assist students in the selection and development of individual research projects.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives an excellent education
• Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
• Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the improvement of central office performance and school leadership, instruction, and operations, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Approaches work with a sense of possibility and sees challenges as opportunities for creative problem solving; takes the initiative to explore issues and find potential innovative solutions.
• Adaptability: Excels in constantly changing environments and adapts flexibly in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort; comfortable with ambiguity and non-routine situations.
• Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
• Communication and Customer Service Skills: Communicates clearly and compellingly with diverse stakeholders in both oral and written forms; anticipates and responds to customer needs in a high-quality and courteous manner.
  
  

Terms Of Employment

Salary based on education and experience pursuant to the Benton Harbor Area School Board policies and collective bargaining agreement for any position that falls under collective bargaining.

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated by the Building Principal

Funding Source

If this position is funded using Title dollars, federal regulations do not allow a promise of employment beyond the current year of allocated funds. If this position is funded using state program dollars, the district is not obligated to fund the position beyond the current year's allocation. This position, at any time, may be dissolved based on funding availability and data collected from a comprehensive needs assessment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts

Benton Harbor Area Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER