Lead Teacher - Elementary

Title: Lead Teacher

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Certified Teacher

Immediate Supervisor: Building Administrator

Waterloo Schools is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Job Summary:
The lead teacher is responsible for providing overall instructional leadership to build the capacity of teachers and PLC teams, support professional growth, and meet the learning needs of all students in regard to specific content areas (i.e. literacy, math, science, special education, technology, ELL, etc.) and overall instructional pedagogy. The lead teacher directly works with the building principal in overseeing the daily operations of the school. They are responsible for guiding the school’s PBIS plan and for helping to improve the building’s climate and culture. Lead teachers assist in coordinating new teacher mentoring and career teachers needing additional support and collaborate with teacher leaders and mentors in providing needed support through observation and feedback using technology tools, face-to-face dialogue and coaching cycles. The lead teacher collaboratively plans and implements professional development; provides leadership for PLCs; and collaboratively plans with principal and instructional coaches to implement school improvement process. The lead teacher assists with data collection, response to data, communicating data results, and implementing action steps as a result of the data. The lead teacher also assists with planning learning interventions in MTSS.

• Extended Contract: 15 days
• Salary Supplement: $10,000
• Teaching Load: 0%

Hiring Specifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Master’s degree in Principalship/Administration (or currently working towards)
• Completion of graduate work in curriculum and instruction and evidence of implementation (preferred)

Certification

• Iowa teaching certification
• PK -12 Principal/PK – 12 Special Education Supervisor or able to obtain certification within two years of hire date
• Evaluator (New) certification

Experience

• Five (5) or more years of successful classroom teaching experience (elementary preferred)

General Skills, Knowledge & Abilities, Dispositions

• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Iowa Core instruction, effective instructional strategies, assessment and methods that improve student achievement in the classroom
• Ability to implement innovative teaching methodologies
• Sound knowledge of Iowa Core and Waterloo Community Schools District curriculum and initiatives
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, including experience in leading/facilitating committees, teams, and/or professional development
• Ability to maintain confidential relationships with administrators and teachers
• Experience related to adult learning (coaching, professional development, mentoring, teaching)
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional growth and learning within a community of practice
• Understanding of classroom observation and feedback principles and processes
• Willingness to engage in formative assessment processes, including non-evaluative, reflective conversations with teachers using evidence of classroom practice and student learning
• Evidence of excellent oral, written and technology skills
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency in maintaining and managing regular communication and documentation
• Belief in the potential of teachers and schools to effect change in the academic lives of students
• Capacity to accurately gather evidence/data during classroom observations using a teaching rubric and/or technology tool
• Ability to organize, analyze, and respond to data (formative, interim, benchmark, standardized) that informs instructional decisions
• Assist in identifying, acquiring, and organizing resources to support student learning
• Excellent record of attendance
• Willingness to commit to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, flexibility, and responsiveness
• Embrace the spirit of collaboration and contribute to the ongoing improvement of student learning

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the principal in all aspects of instructional leadership of the building
• Assist the principal in the day-to-day operations of the building
• Conduct regular observation and feedback cycles of staff, as per the district expectations, giving regular feedback to build teacher capacity
• Support the rollout and implementation of district initiatives.
• Help to facilitate data teams/PLCs for the building, preparing appropriate data, to build teacher capacity around the 3 big ideas and 4 critical questions of PLCs.
• Assist the principal with the district’s PBIS model including; implementing the model itself, helping to develop a plan to reduce referrals while improving the school’s climate and culture, building teacher capacity for moving extrinsic motivators to intrinsic motivation.
• Assist with professional learning and implementation regarding Iowa Core, instructional strategies, lesson planning, analyzing student work, differentiating instruction, integrating technology with instructional strategies, classroom management, etc.
• Establish and maintain a trusting, confidential and non-evaluative relationship with teachers to help develop their autonomy as professionals
• Collaboratively plan with principal, administrative staff and teacher leaders to implement the school improvement process and provide professional development
• Assist staff with the gathering, examination, analysis, and response to formative and summative data
• Use data to identify learning concerns and provide interventions and extensions for individual students and groups of students in a multi-tiered system of supports.
• Assist teachers in reflecting on and analyzing their practice, reviewing student work and using relevant data to inform instruction
• Incorporate technology to advance both teacher learning and classroom practice
• Organize and plan short and long range goals and coordinate efforts for timely accomplishment of those goals
• Collaborate with building and district leadership personnel to ensure coherence between instructional coaching activities and school/district expectations
• Fully participate in lead teacher professional development, such as academies, coach forums, peer coaching partnerships, professional learning teams and other area, team, and committee meetings
• Commit to growth along a continuum (standards) and engage in goal setting and reflection
• Keep current on researched based instructional strategies and best practices with an emphasis on student engagement and learning
• Maintain and submit required documentation
• Complete other duties as assigned

Technology Requirements

• Basic computer skills (computer navigation, email, web browser, Employee Portal)
• Intermediate computer skills (Google Suites, search function, student information systems, basis promethean)
• High computer skills (familiarity with Education Tech Tools, Informational systems specific to position
• Ability to reach all skill levels listed if not already acquired

Supervision of Others:

• Support staff

Personal Contacts:

• District and building staff and students
• Parents
• AEA personnel

Physical Requirements:

Terms of Employment: As defined by the Code of Iowa, Board policy, 279 teaching contract and supplemental contract.

Date Last Revised: 3/24/2022