Grade 5/6 Teacher, Reading Virtual Academy

Position Goal: To create a flexible elementary grade program and a class environment favourable to learning and personal growth; to establish effective rapport with students; to motivate students to develop skills, attitudes and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for upper elementary grade education, in accordance with each student's ability; to establish good relationships with parents and with other staff members.

Essential Functions:

• Teaches reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, art, health, physical education, and music to students in a classroom, utilising 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.
• Provides tutoring to all Reading Virtual Academy elementary students (face to face or virtual).
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualised and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
• Translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilise the available time for instruction.
• Establishes and maintains standards of student behaviour needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
• Evaluates student's academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
• Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to discuss student's progress and interpret the school programme.
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Creates an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, bulletin boards, and interest centres.
• Maintains professional competence through in-service educational activities provided by the district and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Participates cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.
• Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records.
• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned working day.
• Administers group standardised tests in accordance with district testing programme.
• Participates in curriculum development programmes as required.
• Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Qualification Requirements:

• Possession of appropriate degree.
• 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.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 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 work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 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. The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform the school district administrator designated as immediate supervisor of the position, of any and all reasonable accommodations that will be required.

The Reading School District is an equal opportunity employment, educational and service organisation.