Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade Teachers

FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH
GRADE TEACHERS

Position Summary

Atlas Preparatory School seeks Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade Teachers in the following areas: History, Math, Reading, Science, Writing, and Special Education. The Assistant Principal will directly supervise Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade Teachers.

Responsibilities

Atlas Preparatory School’s environment welcomes teachers who are relentless in their aim to see student growth and who want to hone their skills as effective teachers in the classroom. Below are some of the tasks required of teachers:

§ Embody the characteristics that the school wishes the students to uphold, especially respect, excellence, authenticity, curiosity, hard work, and professionalism

§ Teach at least four classes each day, in addition to one block of tutoring or enrichment and one block of homework center

§ Document all syllabi, lesson plans, assignments, and other curricular materials

§ Work closely with the Executive Director and Assistant Principal to develop and implement strategies for all students to reach success

§ Reinforce school-wide rules and expectations in the classroom and lesson planning

§ Communicate effectively and maintain strong relationships with students, families and colleagues

§ Assist in the design and implementation of research-based curriculum

§ Maintain the school culture of high academic and behavioral expectations through continuous reflection

§ Use detailed data analysis of student performance to inform best practices

§ Assist in student arrival and departure, transitions between class periods, and lunch periods

§ Complete other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director or Assistant Principal

Qualifications and Experience

§ Successful manager of an urban classroom who has used structure, incentives, and high expectations to drive student success

§ Experienced classroom teacher with demonstrated, quantifiable and objective student performance gains that surpass state or local averages

§ Ability to work with a variety of learning abilities, including those with low skill level in a heterogeneously grouped classroom setting

§ Demonstrated ability to work well in a team, especially with parents and community members

§ Flexibility and initiative necessary to contribute to a start up organization

§ Analytical problem solver

§ Basic understanding of data analysis

§ Professional demeanor

§ Highly Qualified status in elementary education according to the Colorado Department of Education requirements at http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/NCLB/tiia_hqt.asp (also see the Employment FAQ pages below for more information)

§ Three years of urban teaching preferred

§ State licensure in elementary education or the subject area to be taught preferred

§ Advanced degrees in education or content area preferred

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

Start Date

An exceptional candidate will assume a full time role no later than July 1, 2011.

The position will remain open until filled.

Commitment to Diversity

Atlas Preparatory School is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Application Process

Outstanding candidates should send a resume, personalized cover letter, two references, inquiry form (see next page), and all relevant student achievement data to:

or call 719-358-7196 for more details.

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INQUIRY FORM

(Please write a one paragraph response for each question)

1. Why do public schools tend to struggle with low income and minority students?

2. What makes a great lesson?

3. Please explain your position on standardized testing.

4. Do you believe college is for every student?

5. Some schools have very prescribed classroom management systems that all teachers must use (even for a student getting Kleenex), and in other schools it is much more relaxed and less systems driven. Which school of thought are you and why?

* How did you hear about Atlas Prep?______

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EMPLOYMENT FAQ

Why should I work at Atlas Prep?

Four words: Vanguard, Purpose, Opportunity, and Lifestyle. This is your chance to:

· VANGUARD: Help establish the first high performing urban charter school in Colorado Springs that unequivocally closes the achievement gap

· PURPOSE: Deliver heroic results for the students who need it the most

· OPPORTUNITY: Grow as a highly talented professional in a highly supported professional community that includes faculty with degrees from Stanford, Harvard, Penn, Colorado College, and Georgetown among others

· LIFESTYLE: Enjoy a professional and personal lifestyle in a fabulous urban mountain city

(300 days of sun a year at the base of the mountain that inspired “America the Beautiful” isn’t bad either.)

How do I apply for a position at Atlas Prep?

Interested candidates should watch the Employment Video and read through all materials posted on the employment section of the website. Instructions for what application materials are requested are listed above and include the submission of the following: Resume, Personalized Cover Letter, Two References, Inquiry Form and Relevant Student Achievement Data.

Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

What is the student demographic Atlas Prep intends to serve?

Harrison School District Two, where Atlas Prep is chartered, serves approximately 65% free and reduced lunch students, and 33% Hispanic, 33% White, and 33% African-American students. Atlas Prep was created to prepare academically underperforming low income students for college, and currently serves a student body that is 85% free and reduced lunch, 45% African-American, 35% White, and 20% Hispanic, with approximately 100 fifth grade students and 100 sixth grade students.

What is meant by “relevant student achievement data”?

Concrete data that demonstrates candidates have achieved above average performance for their students in the past. Example data may include state / national exam scores, and or other meaningful internal exam data.

What salary and health benefits are offered for positions at Atlas Prep?

Salaries and health benefits will be competitive with Harrison School District Two, and more details will be discussed with candidates offered an in-person interview.

What does the teacher schedule look like at Atlas Prep?

Atlas Prep teachers experience a rewarding, but certainly challenging schedule that includes at least four classes of teaching, one class of enrichment and or tutoring, one class of homework center, and other coverage that may arise.

I currently have a secondary teaching license: am I eligible for a Fifth Grade Founding Teacher position?

Yes. All Atlas Prep Fifth Grade Teachers must meet the following requirements by their start date at the school to be considered Highly Qualified, and thus eligible to teach at Atlas Prep:

· Possess a bachelor’s degree

· Demonstrate subject competency by one of the following:

o Possessing a Colorado Elementary License

o Passing a Colorado elementary content test (e.g., PLACE, PRAXIS II)

o Passing an approved elementary content test in another state

o Earning National Board Certification in elementary

o Passing the elementary HOUSSE provision (if eligible)

Of note, interested secondary applicants do not need to have met these requirements prior to applying for a position. All Teacher offers, however, will be contingent on these requirements being met by the start of school. (More information on this subject can be found at the Colorado Department of Education website at: http://www.cde.state.co.us/FedPrograms/NCLB/tiia_hqt.asp)

I am interested in teaching Sixth Grade: what licensure requirements must I meet to teach at Atlas Prep?

The requirements for Sixth Grade teacher applicants can be met at Atlas Prep by the same requirements listed above for Fifth Grade teachers.

I am interested in teaching Seventh Grade: what licensure requirements must I meet to teach at Atlas Prep?

The requirements for Seventh Grade teacher applicants can be met at Atlas Prep by possessing a bachelor’s degree and demonstrating subject competency in the area you are applying to teach in by:

· Earning an endorsement in assigned field,

· Holding a degree in assigned field,

· Passing a Colorado content test in assigned field (e.g., PLACE, PRAXIS II),

· Earning 24-semester hours in assigned field,

· Earning National Board Certification in assigned field, or

· Passing a secondary multi-subject HOUSSE provision (if eligible).

I currently teach outside of Colorado: what licensure requirements must I meet to teach at Atlas Prep?

Please see the above answer for requirements on teaching fifth grade in Colorado. For more information on whether or not your out of state teacher credentials will transfer to Colorado, please visit the following Colorado Department of Education website: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/Licensure_outstate_faq.asp.

What is a charter school, and how is it different from a traditional public school?

A charter school is essentially a public school that has been granted greater autonomy over budget, curriculum, and personnel, in return for greater accountability in the form of expected above average student achievement with a particular demographic of students and or academic model.