Elementary Teacher

Job Description

The classroom teacher creates a classroom environment which fosters learning and personal growth by establishing strong relationships with students, building classroom communities founded on understanding and respect where all students feel a strong sense of belonging, and motivating students to develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to ensure a successful and fulfilling future. Candidates should have the ability to teach the full range of homeroom content areas including literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science. In addition, candidates should demonstrate the ability to plan developmentally appropriate lessons and learning activities, establish a nurturing and engaging classroom environment for students, and work collaboratively with a teaching partner, various colleagues, and parents/guardians. As importantly, we seek candidates who are committed to developing and practicing cultural competence in their teaching and able to operate effectively in diverse environments while also interacting successfully with people from diverse backgrounds.

Essential Functions
-Implements school curriculum, develops lesson plans, and designs learning activities that are consistent with school wide goals and initiatives
-Provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student
-Applies knowledge of best instructional practices in literacy, mathematics, social studies and science
-Differentiates instruction and materials to meet the needs of all students.
-Establishes a positive, supportive and engaging classroom environment for students.
-Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve an environment that promotes learning in the classroom.
-Instructs students in the principles of responsible citizenship and other social and emotional skills.
-Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning and growth (both academic and social emotional), and modifies instructional methods to fit individual students’ needs
-Analyzes student data to adjust instruction to meet student needs and to share and discuss at data PLCs.
-Works collaboratively with teaching partners, other colleagues, and parents/guardians
-Regularly communicates with and plans cooperatively with grade level teams and academic leaders
-Communicates regularly with parents by means of newsletters, notes, phone calls, e-mails, conferences, etc.
-Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops, and professional meetings.
-Participates in PLCs (professional learning communities) including data PLCs, committees, and curriculum planning PLCs
-Participates in a personal professional goal-setting process.
-Maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by school procedures
-Contributes to the life of the school outside the classroom.

Qualifications

-Hold a MN teaching license in the appropriate subject matter and age group
-Have comprehensive knowledge of subject(s) taught;
-Have knowledge of best practices, instructional strategies, classroom management and behavior management
-Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication skills with colleagues, students, and families
-Demonstrate respect for children, colleagues, parents and school leadership
-Can establish rapport and trusting relationships with people from diverse identities and cultural backgrounds.
-Has the ability to build deep understanding of data and implement strategies for classroom data integration
-Serve as a role model for promoting effective instruction and professionalism
-Having knowledge of Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) and Responsive Classroom is a plus
-Having experience with Into Reading, Math Expressions, Science Dimensions, 95% Phonics, and IXL is a plus.
-Having knowledge of science of reading theory and practices is a plus.
-Believe in and support the vision and mission of PSA

Institution Description

We are a K-12 public charter in Brooklyn Park serving nearly 850 students in Minneapolis and the smaller surrounding suburbs. Founded in 2004, PSA has grown and prospered to give thousands of students an outstanding education, and more importantly, to help students gain the knowledge and skills to become, in the words of PSA’s mission, “inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring citizens who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” Our community prides itself on providing a welcoming, safe and caring atmosphere where staff and students have a strong sense of belonging, feel engaged in our shared work around academic, cultural and social emotional learning, and where everyone can continue to learn and grow in a healthy school environment.

Application Instructions/Comments

To apply, email the following to Crystal Vang at crystal.vang@psak12.org and Julie Vang at julie.vang@psak12.org:
1. Letter of interest
2. Updated Resume
3. Copy of MN Teaching License (if applicable)