Middle School Math Teacher

Background

Two Rivers Public Charter School serves a diverse group of learners across three locations in Wards 5 and 6. Staff at Two Rivers create an exciting educational environment in which students and staff become a community of learners on a journey of discovery. Two Rivers uses the EL Education model, emphasizing interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. The school focuses on the whole child, recognizing the importance of character education and the social-emotional needs of children while helping them achieve academic excellence.

The Two Rivers staff shares a strong belief that all children can learn and be high achievers. The curriculum at Two Rivers is rigorous, and standards-based, and provides opportunities for students to excel in all areas. An integrated arts program and a content-based Spanish program augment the school’s demanding academic program. These elements come together through learning expeditions that allow students to incorporate and apply their classroom learning through real-world experiences. The mission of Two Rivers is to nurture a diverse group of students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community and become responsible and compassionate members of society.

The Middle School Mathematics Teacher is responsible for providing grade-level mathematics instruction. This job description is meant to provide structure to the responsibilities and accountability of this position. There may be additional responsibilities that a teacher undertakes or that are assigned as the needs of students and the school arise. Classroom Teachers report to the Principal.

This is a 10.5-month position, which is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime pay under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Responsibilities:

Planning and Preparation

• Implement the principles and components of Expeditionary Learning and the Responsive Classroom model. Teachers in their first year at Two Rivers commit to learning these models by attending new staff orientation in the summer and a new teacher professional development series held throughout the year.
• Use the provided math curriculum to teach grade-level content and skills anchored by authentic and well-designed lessons, meaningful fieldwork, and service opportunities.
• Plan challenging and engaging lessons and experiences designed to help students achieve content and curriculum standards for their grade level (outlined in Two Rivers’ chosen curricula). Ensure that lessons have multiple entry points and support structures so that children with different abilities and learning styles are successful.
• Work with special education inclusion staff to plan for and meet the needs of students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and Multilingual Learners. Differentiate instruction and provide accommodations and supports as needed. Actively seek to improve knowledge and skills to better address the needs of special education students and Multilingual Learners.
• Implement a structured mathematics program that includes the use of high-quality curricular materials from the provided math curriculum.
• Assign and provide homework that is in line with Two Rivers homework guidelines and that supports classroom instruction and reinforces skills. Consider developmental age and individual student needs when developing and differentiating homework assignments. Communicate with parents about homework expectations.
• Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion instruction and multicultural content into the curriculum throughout the year.
• Lead and implement EL Education Crew Lesson Plans.
• Develop and revise clear criteria and standards for quality work. Regularly examine student work to ensure that it meets EL Education’s three dimensions of student achievement: High-Quality Work, Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, and Character.
• Create student document panels, displaying student work and documenting the process leading to mastery. Involve students in developing and creating displays.
• Plan and execute Celebrations of Learning at least two times per year, providing students with an opportunity to share their work with an audience of parents, other students, and community members.

Learning Environment

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. Communicate respectfully to all community members at all times. Model, practice, and discuss respectful, unbiased, and effective communication with students, colleagues, and families.
• Involve students in creating classroom norms. Establish and consistently apply logical consequences.
• Collaborate with all adults in the classroom (e.g. special educators, dedicated aides) and co-plan to support individuals and groups to maximize student support, engagement, and learning outcomes.
• Uphold and support the school-wide discipline policies. Document infractions according to the discipline policies and seek help and support from colleagues and administrators when discipline concerns arise.
• Engage students in age-appropriate discussions of diversity. Use student observations, questions, actions, and reactions as teachable moments to explore diversity.

Learning Experiences

• In keeping with Two Rivers’ Core Value, “Learn Better Together”, utilize a workshop model as the main format for instructional time. Keep whole-group and lecture-style lessons to a minimum.
• Implement Two Rivers’ assessments.
• Support the administration of the DC-CAPE Assessment in the spring.
• Use a variety of assessment tools (e.g. performance tasks, rubrics, anecdotal notes, and formative/summative checks) to inform instructional groupings, scaffolded tasks, and tiered supports.
• Engage in ongoing data cycles using the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) and DataWise frameworks to identify instructional gaps, set goals, and plan responsive instruction.
• Collaborate with colleagues during facilitated planning times to monitor progress and improve student outcomes.

Principled Teaching

• Participate in weekly professional development (scheduled for Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and contribute to sessions by sharing ideas, student data, and artifacts, offering feedback, and facilitating sessions or discussions, as needed.
• Participate in weekly common planning times with the grade level team and other grade level planning meetings.
• Participate in peer observation using protocols established and agreed upon by staff.
• Participate in August Orientation, based on the agreed-upon schedule.
• Seek out additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and school-wide professional development goals.
• Meet with families as requested to share information about student progress.
• Contact families immediately when concerns arise about student performance, work completion, or behavior.
• Involve family volunteers in the classroom in ways that meet the needs of the class and utilize the strengths, talents, and interests of the volunteers.
• Keep families informed about classroom activities and units of study through ongoing communication and regular updates.
• Hold family conferences based on the schedule determined by the principal.
• Support families in understanding the instructional approach at Two Rivers through regular communication.
• Assist with planning and facilitating at least one family event per year, in addition to Back to School Night, Celebrations of Learning, and Family Conferences.

Other Professional Responsibilities

• Submit lesson plans to the direct supervisor based on the schedule determined by the school leadership team.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of student attendance, academic performance (all courses), and behavior incidents.
• Four times per year, use student records and assessments to create progress reports and report cards, including writing comments for students’ grades as required.
• Update student grades bi-weekly using assessment data to share with school teams, students and families, with a minimum of two grades per student.
• Two Rivers expects all full-time employees to work a 40-hour work week, in accordance with the hours outlined in their offer letters. School-based employees, including teachers, assistant teachers, counselors, and related service providers must be present at least 15 minutes prior to the arrival of students and must be present at least 15 minutes after the dismissal of students.
• Be on time for classes, duties, planning sessions, team meetings, and professional development activities.
• Observe proper decorum, including adherence to dress codes and proper courtesies and respect in all dealings with students, parents, guardians, visitors, and fellow employees.
• Attend and participate in school events.
• Check voicemail and email daily and respond promptly to requests from parents, administrators, and colleagues.
• Assist with the monitoring of arrival, dismissal, recess, and lunch according to the agreed-upon schedule.
• Report all suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) and a school administrator. See the Staff Handbook for additional information.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, or equivalent degree;
• Bachelor’s degree and a passing score on (1) Mathematics Content Knowledge PRAXIS and (2) Principles of Learning & Teaching PRAXIS exams;
• Bachelor’s degree and five years of satisfactory lead teacher experience in Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s degree and active OSSE certification or active certification from another state

Two Rivers values its team of amazing educators. Teachers at Two Rivers receive:

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• The support of a welcoming and appreciative group of families
• A class of diverse students who are eager to learn and grateful for their school
• A team that values teachers and provides feedback, encouragement, and accountability
• Colleagues with varying backgrounds and experiences, from all walks of life, who care about their work, work hard, and want to have a good time while they’re doing it.
• An administrative team that provides support for children with challenges
• Professional growth opportunities on-site and off-site
• Membership in a professional learning community that will challenge and excite eager educators—the staff’s work was featured in the book Data Wise in Action from Harvard University
• A strong, established school culture that supports academic and social learning
• A network of schools that is committed to diversity and inclusion and being an anti-racist organization.

Two Rivers is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.