Middle School Grade (6-8) Teacher (Future Opportunities)

## Description

**Primary Professional Function**

Educators at The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW) are hired with the invitation and encouragement to be life-long learners. FXW will employ faculty who enjoy teaching, who are progressive and innovative in their craft, who love working with students, who are great colleagues, and who truly find joy in their profession. We expect that an FXW faculty member possesses the necessary knowledge, teaching skills, character, and commitment to be productive members of the FXW community. Additionally, the FXW teacher will adhere to the unique Catholic mission and interfaith values of FXW School.

At FXW, we aspire that each teacher is successful. To do so, an FXW teacher will do the following

• Utilize effective instructional strategies with students.
• Be willing to grow in their profession.
• Create and manage the classroom in a positive manner, respecting the dignity of all.
• Embrace the FXW Mission and Charisms.
• Complete annual goals and seek professional development opportunities.
• Maintain a positive rapport with all members of the FXW community.
• Fulfill routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.

**Middle School Grade 6-8 Teacher Program Description**

At the Frances Xavier Warde School, Middle School students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, to broaden their reading and understanding of community and world issues, and to learn to make good decisions and act independently as they prepare for high school. With teacher guidance, students explore content area subjects while developing a repertoire of academic vocabulary, note-taking skills and test-taking strategies. Teachers focus on curriculum integration in the humanities, math and science, and world language. Through intensive training in both oral and written communication, participation in cooperative projects and experiments, and purposeful use of technology, students build young adult learning skills as they broaden their knowledge. During the Middle School years, students are given greater opportunities for extracurricular activities in the areas of sports, drama, music and art. These opportunities, coupled with a rigorous curriculum, help to foster increased independence in students as they progress toward high school.

**Duties/ Responsibilities**

**Middle School Grade 6-8 Teacher** **Primary Functions**

The Middle School Teacher is responsible for facilitating the cognitive development of all learners by providing a quality learning experience to all children in his/her care. The teacher must possess the knowledge and theoretical grounding necessary to instruct the Middle School student, utilizing age-appropriate methods, strategies and procedures.

**FXW Middle School (Grades 6-8) Teacher - Job Description**

**What Makes an FXW Teacher Competent and Effective**

Educators are hired with the expectation that they possess the necessary knowledge, teaching skills, character, and commitment to be productive members of the FXJN community. The following is a list of descriptors:

• Adheres to the unique Catholic mission and interfaith values of FXJN School.
• Articulates a working knowledge of FXWs value-centered mission and academically rigorous curricular goal.
• Participates in spiritual development activities of the FXJN community, including support for student community service projects and initiatives.
• Models the importance of daily prayer and worship through active participation with students.
• Demonstrates a willingness to plan, encourage and participate in community building activities (religious, social and educational)
• Utilizes effective instructional strategies and assessment tools that develop higher-level thinking skills.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of subject matter.
• Understands interrelationships of content areas.
• Regularly utilize formative and summative assessment to guide instruction.
• Employ technology effectively to enhance teaching.
• Presents lessons and instructions in multiple modalities to address students' various learning styles and abilities.
• Encourages students to become aware of social issues and current events appropriate to their level of understanding
• Creates and manages the classroom in a positive manner, respecting the dignity of all.
• Respects the rights of students as individuals.
• Utilizes positive reinforcement strategies.
• Creates a classroom that is visually stimulating, orderly and safe.
• Mentors’ students effectively and professionally.
• Completes annual goals and seeks professional development opportunities.
• Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility by keeping current with recent practice and research in education.
• Collaborates and works with administration to further yearly goals.
• Maintains a positive rapport with all members of the FXJN community.
• Accept feedback and works to show improvement.
• Respects the integrity of fellow staff, students and parents by being discreet and tactful when discussing student and school-related issues.
• Demonstrates flexibility and models collegiality.
• Fulfills routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.
• Demonstrates evidence of prior planning and preparation.
• Creates lesson plans with clear student-centered objectives, incorporating the principles of backward design, as well as the use of formative and summative assessments.
• Use instructional time efficiently.
• Evaluates student progress effectively.