Job Description

Science Teacher - IJLA

Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy (IJLA) is a small Options school that feels like home for the 150 Latinx youth we serve from Pilsen and the surrounding community. IJLA is a second chance high school designed to serve students between the ages of 16-21 who are seeking a more personalized and individualized program. We provide students with an interdisciplinary, project-based academic program while simultaneously providing strong social emotional supports. Our educational philosophy is rooted in social justice and focuses on rebuilding students' perspective of learning in order to navigate life in a meaningful and purposeful way. We invigorate hope and restore students' hearts and minds to reclaim their education, graduate, and transform into agents of change.

The Science Teacher reports to the Principal and is responsible for teaching science to high school students. The teacher provides effective and culturally relevant instruction to grades 9-12 that meets both ACT and standards and Common Core standards in order to prepare students to graduate from IJLA with an effective grasp, while incorporating applications of science and scientific thinking to post-secondary experiences. The Science Teacher presents concepts with varying research-based teaching strategies to ensure student comprehension, while applying hands-on activities, and being actively aware of multiple intelligences in the student body when preparing differentiated curriculum and lessons. In addition, the teacher should demonstrate mastery of using research based and effective classroom management techniques. Ultimately, the teacher is responsible for developing science skilled students who are capable of mastering the subject to be fully prepared for the rigors of demanding college curriculum and success as future medical professionals.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Create lesson plans for all grades and courses being taught by the teacher.
• Actively work with fellow department members to develop appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for 9th to 12th grade students.
• Use all resources made available by leadership team and actively seek out new sources of material to share with other department members.
• Continually follow best practices to create a safe and inviting classroom environment that fosters both academic and social-emotional learning for all students.
• Work collaboratively with instructors to teach and engage with students of a variety of learning styles.
• Complete IJLA weekly lesson plans in a timely manner and adjust as recommended by department head and/or administration.
• Uses STAR and Khan Academy data to accurately track student progress on both large-scale standardized tests and course-specific tests and quizzes.
• Design projects that are rubric based, rigorous, and applicable to health sciences.
• Ensure that all students receive appropriate accommodations/modifications as stipulated in the Students with Disabilities Act.
• Complete weekly lesson plans based on course scope and sequence in a timely manner and adjust as recommended by department head and/or administration.
• Compile lesson plans and required classroom materials into the substitute folder, updating as needed.
• Collaborate with the special education department to create opportunities for co-teaching and positive whole group learning experiences in the general learning classroom.
• Guide pupils in developing skills for writing essays and compositions according to state standards.
• Provide scheduled office hours on a regular basis.
• Submit daily attendance into PowerSchool.
• Input grades into PowerSchool on a timely basis.
• Complete all special education paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Comply with all regulatory paperwork requirements.
• Includes a school-wide focus on the social/cultural domain of learning and student experience, with an emphasis on incorporating the No Non-Sense Nurturing framework and Health Sciences-related materials into the classroom on a regular basis.
• Provide interdisciplinary support to the Math and English departments.
• Willingness to sponsor and support student extracurricular clubs and activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge of school's vision, mission, and values.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress.
• Contact parents via e-mail, phone, or in conferences to discuss academics and behavior on a regular basis.
• Follow all IJLA's school-wide standards, policies and procedures.
• Adhere to all IJLA's electronic and web-based rules and restrictions.
• Participate in conferences, workshops and professional development sessions to keep up to date with the best teaching practices.
• Work collaboratively with other teachers to address the various learning styles of different students
• Utilize reflective practices to assess personal and professional growth
• Follow all guidelines found in the Instituto and IJLA's employee handbooks
• Identifies and participates in conferences, workshops and Professional Development sessions to keep up to date with the best teaching practices and implementing best practices in the classroom.
• Works collaboratively with instructors of core subjects to identify multiple learning strategies in order to successfully teach students with varying learning styles most effectively and in an engaging manner
• Work collaboratively with social workers, special education staff, and deans of students to ensure the behavioral and educational abilities of students are developed for success after high school.
• Uses reflective practices to assess personal and professional growth in order to seek out opportunities to continually advance professional knowledge and skill
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or in secondary education with a minor/concentration in chemistry, biology, physics or any applied science
• At least three years of successful high school science teaching (Preferred)
• Knowledge of NGSS curriculum is a plus
• Professional educator's license to teach high school science; Reading and/or ESL/Bilingual endorsement a plus
• Technologically literate including using Microsoft Office is required
• Experience teaching in a laboratory setting desired
• Ability to maintain a high sense of confidentiality
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people
• Ability to work equally well as a team member and as an individual with minimal supervision
• Exceptional organization and time management skills
• Excellent customer service
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Ability to speak English and Spanish fluently preferred
• Strong telephone skills and ability to maintain composure under pressure
• Dependability and punctuality
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to effectively manage multiple projects at one time
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and manage unpredictable events and changes effectively

The above is intended to describe the general conditions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities and requirements.

Physical Demands

Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to collect and compile work documents, as well as exchange information. Approximately half of the time on the job will be spent standing. Lifting of objects weighing less than 30 pounds may be required. Due to the nature of the subject matter, the teacher may be exposed to various chemicals.

Working Conditions

Majority of work performed in a general school environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours may be required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• 403b retirement saving plan
• Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (only with ISBE License)

Paid Time Off

• Sick
• Personal
• Spring Break
• Summer Break
• Winter Break

Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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