Position : French Teacher
World Languages Teacher/Vassal Lane Upper School

Vassal Lane Upper School Community:
The Vassal Lane Upper school is a vibrant middle school committed to collaboration and creating environments in which all students learn at high levels. We are mindful of societal inequities and work to challenge injustice. We strive to promote inquiry, reflection, critical thinking, creative expression, resilience, civic engagement, and lifelong learning.

The Opportunity:
Under the supervision of the Principal and the Coordinator of World Languages, the French teacher will be responsible for instruction in grades Gr. 6-8 using a proficiency approach based on ACTFL standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment, where students are encouraged to develop intellectual curiosity, a love for the target language, and an appreciation of its culture. The position calls for a person with an ability to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of all students. A background in technology is also desirable so that students can engage in research projects.

In the World Language Program, there will be a focus on all skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. There will also be a cultural component where students will research and report on nuances of similarities/differences between the target language and the American culture. Teachers have established the curriculum over a series of workshops and curriculum meetings. The prospective teacher will be required to work closely with the Principal and the district coordinator to ensure that all required units are taught; there are standard mid-terms and finals across the system. The prospective teacher should have knowledge of effective use of relevant technology, possess knowledge of best practices for effective second language acquisition, and be able to work with both middle and high school teachers around issues of articulation. In addition, the candidate should possess knowledge of differentiated instruction techniques and developmental design, and have experience designing and implementing projects and performance assessments.

Your Skill Set:
As the incoming French Teacher you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:

• Two or more years of French teaching experience with a proven track record of high achievement in the classroom.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• Experience leading instruction in urban school settings.
• ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages.
• Fluency in French.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, alongside the ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with a diverse staff and student body.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Massachusetts Teacher License in French language instruction required.
• A strong work ethic, alongside a commitment to doing whatever it takes for students to excel.

How to Join Our Team:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills, experience, and commitment to equity in education meet the qualifications of the position as well as stating how you heard about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.