Job Title: Lead Teacher
Pay Grade: Salary Schedule $35,000.00-$47,000.00
Job Family: Staff FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: School Prepared Date: March 2020
Typical Work Year: 10 months Employment Status: At-will
Overview: The Juniper School is a FREE, public charter school with mixed-age, Kindergarten – 5th grade classrooms. Individualized, student-driven learning is rooted in the best practices of concept-based instruction and inquiry. Juniper education is a Montessori inspired learning environment of exploration and community.
Our Mission: The Juniper School is committed to building an authentic, diverse and active learning environment for the children of our community, through the establishment of a free, public, charter elementary school.
We are looking for an exceptional person to fulfill the role of Lead Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year. Candidates must possess the ability to create a trusting, high-quality and engaging atmosphere for staff and families, and have the ability to work collaboratively with teachers, students, and parents. All staff must embody the Juniper environment of equitable leadership distribution, collaborative decision-making, value autonomy and promote the Mission/Vision/Values around trust and respect of staff and families
Required Qualifications:
Team player with a positive outlook, high expectations of themselves, their students and team; is detail oriented, has a growth-oriented mindset, is resourceful, and able to manage his/her responsibilities with confidence.
Summary: The Lead Teacher, with the support and supervision of a Master Teacher, Head of School and the Administration, is entrusted to establish and maintain a quality education program, which follows the school's philosophy and pedagogy by fulfilling the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Embody the mission and vision of the school
- Cultivate an inclusive and positive classroom environment with well-defined procedures that allows students to achieve at high levels
- Work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents to provide a successful educational experience
- Uphold all school policies regarding student safety
- Be proactive in sharing your philosophy and child development knowledge with parents and the community.
- Address and communicate all school (parent, team, child) issues immediately.
- Maintain current ongoing records (communication logs, conference summary forms, observation notes, Learning Contracts) on all students in your charge and have available for school’s review upon request. Maintain the confidentiality of all such records.
- Report any and all accidents or incidents immediately and prepare a written report stating the date, time, nature of the accident and the action taken.
- Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
- Follow all school policies and procedures as stated in the Employee Handbook and the school's Rules and Regulations, as presently existing or as may hereafter be amended. Promote all Board policies.
- Follow all standards in accordance with Federal and Colorado laws and regulations as well as the Board of Education policies
? Curriculum/Instruction
- o Teach and supervise all students in Lead Teacher’s class using Project-Based, Inquiry-Based and Montessori method curriculum in appropriate academic and specialty areas of study.
- o Plan rigorous, engaging, and effective lessons that align with the TJS core components of curriculum
- o Observe, evaluate, report and record students' performance
- o Provide clear scope and sequence of instruction to meet the needs of all learning levels in your class homeroom
- o Offer additional instructional support as needed for students in 1:1 and small group settings through Tier 2 instruction and support
- o Prepare and have available weekly Learning Contracts and record students’ progress. Record observations on all children using the required recordkeeping system provided by the school.
- o Maintain the physical environment of the classroom in accordance with the Montessori philosophy
- o Maintain an inclusive seating style
? Behavior/Discipline
- o Monitor, supervise, coordinate and enforce rules of conduct and behavior of assigned students, and reinforce positive student behaviors in accordance with the school behavior and discipline expectations through implementing restorative justice practices and policies.
- o Demonstrate the ability to relate joyfully to children.
- o Exhibit emotional maturity and stability.
- o Assume leadership by demonstrating appropriate and professional behavior at all times when in the school building, during classroom outdoor times, and whenever you are in the surrounding school neighborhood.
? Duties
- o Participate in weekly check-in meetings with HOS and team
- o Participate in Peer coaching
- o Participate in 1 committee per year
- o Attend all school events, outreach events and fundraising events
- o Prepare and participate in parent/student conferences at a minimum of twice each school year.
- o Be in attendance at all staff meetings and after-hour parent meetings.
- o Any additional duties as determined by school administration.
Education and Training
Bachelor’s degree of related subject from accredited university.
Certificates, Licenses and Registrations
- Colorado Teaching License with endorsements for the levels and subject areas teaching.
- Certification and/or experience in Project-Based, Inquiry-Based or Montessori Methods preferred
Experience
Experience is preferred but may not be necessary for hiring.
Recommended Endorsements
- Certification and/or experience in intervention instruction
- Experience in Peer Coaching Cycle
Technical Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
- Strong decision making, analytical and organizational skills.
- Ability to work with students with diverse needs at various levels.
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job a must
- Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively in a team setting.
- Follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate department.
- Ability to implement IEPs, 504’s, and behavior support plans.
- Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for long periods of time. Must be able to use hands, reach with hands and arms, and stoop or kneel for average periods of time. Must be able to talk and hear. Must be able to push, pull or carry up to 50 pounds at any given time. Must be able to work in a moderate to loud environment.
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
The Juniper School is an “At-Will” Employer. This means that at any time TJS, or the employee, may terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause, with or without explanation, and with or without any particular period or form of advance notice.
The Juniper School reserves the right to modify salary, benefits, responsibilities, duties, supervisors and work locations from time to time at its sole discretion. Additionally, as an exempt employee, you will be expected to work additional hours as required by your assignments and you are not eligible to receive overtime benefits.
Your employment with The Juniper School is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check as mandated by relevant law.
As a TJS staff member, you will have the general responsibilities incident to that position, as set forth in the attached job description, and any additional duties as prescribed by the School. In addition, you will be required to perform your job duties in accordance with the applicable standards for educational professionals and any and all applicable laws and regulations. You are also required to adhere to all relevant state and federal law, the school and district charter contract and to the School’s policies.