Biology Teacher in Reading

Position Goal: To develop in each student an awareness of the role of science in economic and social progress; to motivate each student to acquire knowledge of scientific facts and principles, and skills in scientific methods of problem solving; to discover and develop special talents of students in scientific fields.

Essential Functions:

• Teaches skills, knowledge, and scientific attitudes through courses in general science, earth sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, physiology, or science problems to secondary students, utilizing course of study adopted by the Board of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
• Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the school district.
• Plans a science program involving demonstrations, lectures, discussions, and student experiments; organizes laboratory activities for optimal learning.
• Demonstrates scientific concepts by use of scientific apparatus, experiments, and standard or teacher-prepared charts, sketches, and other instructional aids.
• Provides individual or small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students and to accommodate circumstances where a variety of projects and experiments are being worked on simultaneously.
• Instructs in proper use, care, and safe handling of chemicals, science equipment, and plant and animal life.
• Provides for safe storage and proper use of materials, equipment and tools.
• Makes minor adjustments and requests repairs to equipment as required.
• Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior for a productive learning environment during class sessions, laboratory sessions, and field trips.
• Evaluates each student’s growth and knowledge, skills, and scientific attitudes in course being taught.
• Selects and requests books, instructional aids, science equipment, chemicals, and supplies and maintains inventory records as required.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the District and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Identifies students’ needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
• Assists students in selection and development of individual research projects.
• Cooperates with school administration in providing science displays and programs for the school and community, and in sponsoring science activities.
• Communicates with parents and school counselors on student progress.
• Supervises student in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned work day.
• Participates in faculty committees and sponsorship of student activities.
• Participates cooperatively with the principal or his designee to develop the method by which the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Additional Requirement: Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelors or Masters Degree

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Pennsylvania Instructional Teaching Certificate

Language Skills: Ability to speak clearly and distinctly. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with other employees, students and parents.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply basic arithmetic calculations. Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions for practical situations. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral or schedule form.

Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to coordinate activities with related and specialist staff. Ability to develop and maintain required records and reports. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, parents and the community. Good knowledge of procedures, practices, materials, and equipment required to provide appropriate learning experiences for students to whom assigned. Ability to work as a member of a team. Must be courteous and able to deal effectively with people. Must be cooperative, congenial and service-oriented. Ability to maintain personal self-control in stressful situations. Ability to operate a personal computer and software. Ability to travel to more than one work location in the course of the day as assigned.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Some driving is necessary; light lifting – up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints.

Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet but may be moderate to loud at times. The employee is frequently required to interact with the parents, public and staff during and after the normal workday. The position requires the individual to meet multiple demands from several people and exhibit good human relation skills including courtesy, tact and patience.

Evaluation: The employee will be formally supervised and evaluated with regard to his/her duties on a regular basis by the Building Principal.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organization.