SECONDARY CLASSROOM TEACHER

Job Summary:

As part of a secondary teaching assignment, teaches two or more classes to students, in grades 9-12 and assists in other school programs as assigned.

Supervises:

Instructional assistants, paraprofessionals, and volunteers as assigned.

Qualifications:

Single Subject Credential, Subject Matter Authorization, or Supplemental Authorization in History or Social Science; bachelor’s degree with History or Social Studies major or minor, including all courses needed to meet credential requirements; two years of full-time teaching experience with a minimum of one year in history or social studies instruction.

Personal Qualities:

Appearance, grooming, and personality which establish a desirable example for students. Ability to meet district standards for physical and mental health. Better than average recommendations from student teaching supervisors and other professionals who have observed the personal characteristics, scholastic attainment, and classroom performance of the teacher.

Skills and Knowledge:

  • A minimum of 30 semester hours beyond bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree with a major in history or social sciences
  • Academic training in the behavioral sciences
  • Depth of knowledge of a particular historical era or geographical area of the world, or in one or more subjects of the social studies curriculum
  • Participation in a variety of relevant continuing education classes, demonstration lessons, workshops, professional conferences, and institutes
  • Participation in curriculum development on a district or higher level
  • Professional assignments such as department chairman, resource teacher, or student teacher supervisor, professional reading
  • Active interest and participation in political organizations at the local, state, and/or national level
  • Knowledge of current events and trends in the area of the social sciences as presented in books, newspapers, magazines, television, radio, lectures, forums, or social media
  • Development of a broad background of general knowledge of human relationships and economic problems gained through such activities as travel, military service, classroom teaching at the elementary level or in secondary subjects other than social studies, or work experience other than as a classroom teacher
  • Interest and participation in one or more professional or community organizations

Ability To:

  • Develop in each student an appreciation of American ideals and cultural heritage
  • Develop proficiency in the use of social studies inquiry skills and concepts
  • Motivate each student to understand and exercise his rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a citizen
  • Develop understanding of geographical, historical, cultural, and political factors which influence the development of world regions
  • Encourage students to develop sound opinions based on study of facts concerning operation of political and economic systems
  • Develop good relationships with parents and with other staff members

Representative Duties:

  1. Teaches courses in social studies, history, geography, American government, political science, or humanities to middle school students, utilizing course of study adopted by the Board of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
  2. Instructs students in citizenship, basic communication skills, and other general areas of the course of study common to all teachers, as specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
  3. Develops a balanced social studies program involving factual background material, material on current events, discussion time, and other appropriate activities designed to encourage students to develop skills and attitudes, draw conclusions, achieve improved interpersonal relationships, and make value judgements based on scientific methods of enquiry.
  4. Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying intellectual abilities, attitudes, and cultural backgrounds.
  5. Develops knowledge of the purpose, structure, and operation of the American governmental and economic system, and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.
  6. Makes material from current magazines, newspapers, television programs, etc., available to students; plans and guides discussions of current social, political, and economic problems against background of geographical environment and history of area being studied.
  7. Develops an understanding of the contributions of minority racial, religious, and political groups to American culture, and the role of minorities in our present day world.
  8. Develops knowledge of political and economic systems of other nations and their influence on personal freedom, education, and living standards of the people in those nations.
  9. Encourages students to become aware of the complexity and interrelations of local, state, national, and world problems.
  10. Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment.
  11. Creates, with assistance of students, interest centers and displays with material to enhance learning.
  12. Evaluates each student’s development in course being taught, and prepares progress reports.
  13. Maintains professional competence through participation in continuing education activities provided by the district, and/or in self-selected professional growth activities.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Selects and requisitions books, instructional materials, and instructional supplies and maintains required inventory records; may request resource speakers and field trips.
  2. Communicates with parents and school counselors to discuss the individual student’s progress.
  3. Identifies student needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
  4. Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day.
  5. Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs within the school of assignment and/or on a district level. May teach under modular of flexible scheduling plans.
  6. Performs basic attendance accounting and business services as required.
  7. Shares in the sponsorship of student activities such as student government or model United Nations, and participates in faculty committees.
  8. May plan and coordinate the work of instructional assistants, teacher assistants, or other paraprofessionals.

Physical Requirements Include:

Continuous = 2/3 to all the time (possibly the full day): Talking, Hearing, Seeing, Handling, Fingering, Grasping.

Frequent = 1/3 to 2/3 of the time (or up to 5+ hours of an eight hour day): Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Squatting, Reaching

Occasional = 1/12 to 1/3 of the time (or up to 2 ½ hours of an eight hour day): Sitting, Lifting, Carrying up to 10 pounds, Turning, Twisting, Kneeling

Rare = 0 to 1/12 of the time (40 minutes of an eight hour day): Climbing, Balancing, Pushing, Pulling

Not Present: Jumping, Crawling