First Grade Teacher
Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati’s pluralistic Jewish Day School, is looking for a is looking for a first grade general studies Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year.
Who are we? At Rockwern Academy we build character, leadership, and academic curiosity within a caring, joyful, and inclusive school environment. An exceptional student-teacher ratio allows us to value each student as a true individual, discovering what gives them their inner spark. At Rockwern, we:
Inspire a lifelong love of learning, as our experienced teachers prepare our students to thrive in top high schools.
Create a more compassionate world by teaching values and ethics that last a lifetime.
Nurture our powerful sense of community, fostering strong relationships between students of all ages, teachers, staff, and families.
Explore the power of technology to engage students, developing tools for critical thinking and problem solving.
Who are you? Qualified applicants will have an Ohio teaching certificate with MA preferred, experience in primary grades preferred. To apply, visit https://www.applitrack.com/greatercincinnati/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=22312
OBJECTIVE
To support the school’s mission of offering a superior education for the children of Cincinnati by providing direct and differentiated instruction to children according to current best educational practices; by maintaining open lines of communication with parents, administrators and other staff; by keeping complete and accurate records; and by basing expectations, practice, and behavior on a mutually understood definition of professionalism.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The position is responsible to the Principal.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Instruction
1. Create and maintain a safe, organized, fair, effective and inviting classroom that reflects the teacher’s awareness of students’ physical, social, and intellectual development and needs
2. Prepare, submit, and follow weekly lesson plans that mirror the curriculum and support desired learning, adapting as appropriate
3. Manage classroom behavior according to the principles of Responsive Classroom (RC)*
Create ground rules with students
Establish routines
Consistently model care, respect, acceptance, and empathy, both verbally and nonverbally
Use a variety of appropriate approaches to reinforce acceptable behavior
4. Present curricular material in a clear, fresh and relevant manner, using a variety of media, activities, and groupings
5. Actively seek ways to integrate curricula across disciplines
6. Prepare and maintain materials and supplies that enhance learning
7. Design realistic and age-appropriate units and long-term assignments that support the curriculum and enhance students’ development and learning
8. Individualize instruction to meet students’ needs:
Learn students’ preferred learning modalities, current understandings, and skill level
Work to close gaps in learning
Adapt approved materials and methods as needed
Seek additional resources
Actively seek ways to implement RC components of Morning Meeting, Guided Discovery, and Academic Choice*
Encourage students to help one another
Modify instruction in response to children’s emotional state or level of frustration
Create time to work individually with children
9. Design assessments that are reasonable and valid measures of student progress and understanding
10. Demonstrate consistency in grading and return graded materials promptly
11. Use assessment results to improve/refine instructional practice
Communication
12. Post relevant, accurate, and timely information to Rockwern’s Learning Management System
13. Provide bi-weekly communication to parents that highlights subject area content
14. Ensure that all written communication is grammatically correct, contains no typographical errors, and is professionally presented
15. Frequently provide parents with an honest yet diplomatic assessment of their child’s progress, challenges, and successes
16. Serve as a liaison between the school and parents, interpreting and providing a rationale for programs, decisions, and actions as necessary; alert administration of potential conflict or difficulties
17. Respond to email, voicemail, written notes, and other forms of communication within 24 hours, copying administration as appropriate
18. Alert administrators, other grade-level teachers, and support staff when a child has difficulties that might be attributed to special needs
19. Confer with parents and students regarding educational and behavioral problems, including administration as appropriate
20. Contribute, when asked, to the weekly e-newsletter or other communication or marketing vehicles
21. Gather pertinent information about children’s specific needs and issues during the first weeks of school
22. Greet children daily as they enter the classroom; demonstrate respect and empathy for all children and parents
Professionalism
23. Maintain confidentiality on all levels: children, teachers, parents, and administration
24. Suggest improvements in the areas of curriculum, assessment, policies, practices, etc.
25. Act in the best interests of Rockwern Academy
Publicize successes
Speak positively about and to teachers, staff, students, administration, and the community
Avoid gossip
26. Treat children, staff, and parents with respect, even if stressed
Assume positive intentions
Use appropriate language, both verbal and nonverbal
Dress appropriately
Display caring
27. Demonstrate suitable meeting behavior
Arrive on time
Refrain from side talk
Share ideas openly and freely
Listen actively and with an open mind
Be respectful
Use humor appropriately
28. Attend all required events; attend extra-curricular activities and PTO functions when possible
29. Assume responsibility for personal professional development
Use an Individualized Professional Development Plan to communicate goals and objectives
Seek out and attend workshops, seminars, etc. that contribute to professional goals and enhance practice
Maintain all pertinent documentation relevant to Rockwern Academy’s required 8 hours of professional development activities yearly and for state licensure, if applicable
Exhibit commitment to lifelong learning and the growth or change it may engender
30. Demonstrate commitment to teamwork and collegiality by helping others and accepting suggestions for improvement
31. Be on time for assigned duties and find a replacement when needed
Administrative Duties
32. Maintain complete, accurate, and understandable attendance and academic records
33. Document personal, professional practice for the purpose of self-assessment and improvement
34. Keep necessary records to document professional development
35. Complete all needed reports and forms completely and accurately and submit on time
36. Maintain complete, informative, accurate, and well-written reports of student progress
37. Create and maintain a thorough, current, and helpful Substitute Teacher packet
38. Supervise children during fire and tornado drills, as well as on the playground and in the halls or cafeteria, even those who are not in one’s class
*Teachers are expected to base their practice on the principles of Responsive Classroom. However, it is understood that new staff will need training in order to meet this responsibility.
To apply, visit https://www.applitrack.com/greatercincinnati/onlineapp/JobPostings/view.asp?FromAdmin=true&AppliTrackJobId=22312