2021-22 Middle School Special Education Teacher (Jamaica)

Mission Statement: Growing Up Green Charter School empowers children to be conscious, contributing members of their community through a rigorous curriculum and an engaging green culture. Graduates of GUGCS will be prepared to attend high-performing schools where their interdisciplinary academic foundation, knowledge of sustainability, and strong sense of self sets them apart as leaders of the future.

School Culture: GUGCS teaches students our school culture through the acronym GREEN: Giving, Respect, Empower, Embrace, and Nurture. Students are taught the expectations of our GREEN culture through assemblies, class meetings, and various lessons.


Classroom Teacher Responsibilities:
Learning Environment
Guide and support the Growing Up Green school community in fulfilling its mission and charter goals
Establish and maintain ongoing positive relationships and constructive interactions with students, families, colleagues, and administration
Demonstrate commitment to working with diverse populations of families and students and model behavior which depicts respect and a feeling for the dignity and worth for all students
Use the Responsive Classroom and Developmental Designs model for community-building, behavior management and communication with students throughout the school building
Create and maintain an engaging and organized physical classroom environment, making learning accessible to all students
Lead a daily advisory group

Curriculum and Instruction
Implement GUGCS curricular programs as well as units written in-house
Collaborate with grade team and coordinators to write rich, integrated units of study
Create units of study using Understanding by Design (UbD) practices
Adhere to subject-specific grade level pacing calendars
Participate in grade-level team and curricular planning meetings
Use daily or weekly lesson plans to help drive instruction
Differentiate instruction in meaningful ways to support student learning
Work closely with the Special Education department (learning specialists, interventionists, service providers) to support student learning
Collaborate with the Special Education and Counseling department to help meet the needs of all students
Understand and implement interventions recommended for students as outlined by an IEP, support services or the counseling department

Assessment
Maintain organized records of anecdotal notes and assessments
Administer formal interim assessments and informal ongoing assessments throughout the school year (examples: Fountas & Pinnell running records, conferencing, end-of-unit rubrics, student portfolios, etc.)
Use assessment data to modify unit plans, inform groupings, and support student referrals
Use assessment data to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners
Share data systems with classroom teachers as necessary

Parent and Community Engagement
Establish and maintain ongoing positive relationships with families
As necessary communicate social, emotional and academic success and concerns with families
Encourage our “open door” classroom design, inviting families to regularly be a part of classroom activities

Related Professional Responsibilities
Actively help establish and participate in the school community through weekly staff meetings, PD opportunities, staff committees, school events, etc.
Fulfill duties, responsibilities, and commitments as outlined in the GUGCS faculty handbook
Work with an instructional coach on specific goals throughout the year
Respond productively to ongoing, year-round professional feedback
Assume any other duties from time to time as delegated by the Executive Director and/or the School Leader (note: The Executive Director and/or the School Leader may make any adjustment in the scope of responsibilities as outlined above which will be in the interest of Growing Up Green)


Minimum Qualifications
Strong commitment to Growing Up Green Charter School's mission and green theme
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team of teachers and administrators
Knowledge of Responsive Classroom and/or Developmental Designs
Experience in environmental education a plus
Experience with technology integration
Excellent organizational skills


Education
Bachelor’s Degree required. Master's Degree preferred
Minimum of two years of classroom teaching experience in the middle school grades


Required Certificates & Licenses: Teaching certificate, NYC DOE/Fingerprinting & Background Clearance