Middle School Spanish Teacher - Saratoga, United States - Saint Andrew's Episcopal School

Description

Mission

Saint Andrew's Episcopal School - A wholehearted education in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The mission of Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is to offer an enriched curriculum within the tradition and values of the Episcopal Church. We aim to educate the whole student, developing as fully as possible the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social capacities of each student.

The Position

Saint Andrew's Episcopal School is seeking a dynamic and highly collaborative Middle School Spanish teacher and advisor with an understanding of and passion for teaching middle school-age students. The successful candidate will join a community of dedicated, compassionate, energetic, and experienced adults – faculty and parents alike – who are committed to the mission to develop "as fully as possible the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social capacities of each student." Our goal is to build a joyful, inclusive, and respectful learning community.

This teacher will be responsible for teaching up to five sections of Spanish courses in grades 5-8 as well as a daily Advisory class for 10-12 students. The successful candidate must be able to transfer their enthusiasm for and deep understanding of the Spanish language to students using multiple modalities and authentic applications in order to make learning relevant and meaningful for students. Differentiation, such that students are appropriately challenged within their developmental level, and a meaningful approach to homework are expected instructional strategies. They must also demonstrate excellent communication and collaboration skills, creativity, and a high degree of self-direction and flexibility.

Major Responsibilities

1) Student Relationships

· Creating an inclusive, welcoming, learning-motivated classroom environment where the student voice is celebrated.

· Be attuned to the specific learning needs and social and emotional development of each student.

· Lead an advisory group of approximately 10-12 students; provide instruction in health, wellness, character education, and social-emotional learning through coaching, mentoring, and counseling.

· Provide academic support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.), as needed.

2) Learning

· Plan and facilitate challenging, age-appropriate teaching and learning opportunities that inspire enthusiasm, confidence, and a deep understanding of the Spanish language and Spanish speaking cultures.

· Create learning experiences that incorporate a range of instruction modalities.

· Assess understanding using a variety of formative and summative assessments, and utilize assessment feedback to adjust instruction and continuously improve student learning.

· Use technology creatively and effectively in a one-to-one iPad environment.

· Collaborate with Learning Support faculty to implement accommodations and meet the learning needs of diverse cognitive learners.

3) Community

· Active collaboration with other middle school teachers, educators, and specialist teachers to develop curriculum, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and special projects.

· Communicate regularly with parents regarding curriculum, student progress, and course placements.

· Attend and collaborate in the planning for and organization for annual overnight educational trips.

· Be a positive and contributing member of the school community.

· Supervise students in other roles such as recess, lunch, field trips, etc.

· Participate actively in department, grade-level team, division, and faculty meetings as scheduled.

· Collaborate with departmental colleagues on the ordering of instructional materials, course placements, curriculum development, etc.

· Actively pursue student-centered professional learning opportunities aligned with school goals and initiatives.

Interviews, including demonstration lessons, will take place until the position is filled.

Desired Qualifications & Characteristics:

• Bachelor's degree in Spanish or a closely-related field (Master's degree is preferred)
• Spanish teaching credential
• Classroom teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level
• Standards-based curriculum experience
• Passion for interacting with middle level students in and outside of the classroom
• Desire for a highly collaborative work environment that values innovation and creativity to support student development and needs
• Ability to use technology to enhance the classroom experience
• Motivation to use a range of resources that represent diverse cultures, experiences and viewpoints
• Sense of humor
• Finding joy in teaching adolescents
• Positive, pitch-in, can-do, "" attitude
• Satisfactorily completed a nationwide criminal background check