5-8 Literacy Teacher

POSITION: MS Literacy Teacher
REPORTS TO: MS Principal
WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt/10 month

Mission: Educating and inspiring a diverse community of K-12 learners by engaging them in rigorous real-world learning experiences which prioritize intellectual, social and emotional growth.
Vision: Tapestry is a vibrant, sustainable school that empowers learners and leaders to make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.
Values: Perseverance, Integrity, Respect & Responsibility

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the MS Principal, this position is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing an appropriate instructional program in a learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential in the literacy skills. The literacy specialist is critical in supporting the mission and values of Tapestry to educate and inspire a diverse community of learners by engaging them in rigorous real-world learning experiences which prioritize intellectual, social and emotional growth.

POSITION RATIONALE: The Middle School Literacy Specialist is a highly-qualified teacher who works with 5-8 students on their literacy skills and strategies. The teacher is able to implement instruction at the tier 3 intervention level as well as tier 2 co teaching model. The focus of the teacher is to develop a student-centered system of interventions that effectively work to close the achievement gap in literacy. The literacy specialist is able to

• Co-teach and plan lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning and literacy strategies.
• Teach tier 3 intervention strategies to students.
• Provide effective learning experiences for students with a wide range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Effectively assess and progress monitor the educational needs of students in order to design, develop and implement sound educational plans.

INSTRUCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support administration of benchmark literacy assessments and provide support to content area teachers in utilizing the data through data analysis process
• Co-teach with another certified teacher to plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning and literacy strategies.
• Implement literacy strategies at the tier 3 level
• Use relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.
• Observe and evaluate student's performance and development.
• Assign and grade class work, homework, tests and assignments.

SCHOOL CULTURE/CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students that includes SEL and restorative practices. Model, practice and discuss respectful, unbiased and effective communication with students.
• Manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing and enforcing norms expectations, and procedures and building relationships as the foundation.
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students in diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds.

• Commitment to the success of all children.
• Encourage parent and community involvement, obtain information for parents when requested, promptly return phone calls and answer emails.
• Engage students in age appropriate discussions of diversity and equity. Use student observations, questions, actions and reactions as teachable moments to issues that arise.
• Plan and facilitate team based daily crew lessons that directly connect to the NYS SEL Benchmarks.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrates success in collaborative teaching, managing a mixed-ability classroom and facilitating performance-based learning.
• Participate in appropriate professional development activities.

FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT:

• Prepare progress summaries using the reporting procedures agreed upon by the teaching staff and the Principal. Collaborate as needed with other teachers.
• Conduct Student Led Conferences with families twice per year.
• Keep families informed about classroom activities and units of study through ongoing communication
• Attend and participate in school events.
• Check voicemail and e-mail daily and respond promptly or within 24 hours to requests from families, administrators and colleagues.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Tapestry Charter School mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, theories, methods, techniques, and strategies pertaining to teaching and instruction of middle school students and literacy
• Common Core State Standards in ELA grades 5-8
• Engage New York Modules in grades 5-8 and progression from K-4 into middle school grades
• Differentiation techniques
• Know and have used a variety of intervention models, current programs, and strategies.
• Child growth and development and behavior characteristics of middle school students;
• Educational curriculum and instructional goals and objectives, and the educational trends and research-based findings pertaining to student educational programming;
• Behavior management and behavior strategies, techniques, methods and conflict resolution procedures;
• Socio-economic and cultural background differences of general student population; Cultural responsiveness.
• Trained in interventions and tiers of RtI.
• Technology including devices and computer programs.
• Commitment to the success of all children.
• Demonstrates success in collaborative teaching, managing a mixed-ability classroom and facilitating performance-based learning.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Professional/Permanent certification in applicable grades/subject area with 3 years of teaching experience. Knowledge of Expeditionary Learning a plus. Classroom experience is essential. A concentration in, master's degree, or higher, in literacy.

Please make sure to complete an application by clicking here for this job posting.

Building/Location : 65 Great Arrow Ave, Buffalo NY 14216

Appointment Status : Permanent

Position Status : Full time

Contact Person's Title : HR

Contact Person's Phone : 7162045883

Contact Person's Email : blaszczaka@tapestryschool.org