5th Grade Project Based Learning (PBL) Teacher (19-20)

The Organization

Social justice movements come in all shapes and sizes. Here at Lighthouse Community Public Schools we are engaged in an educational movement that goes beyond our classrooms working to disrupt educational inequities by providing our students and families exceptional educational opportunities every day. Grounded in our core values of community, integrity, agency, love, and social justice rooted in EL Education Model , LCPS is a leader in fostering innovative schools achieving exceptional student outcomes where each child is at the center of their own learning. Our mission is to prepare diverse students for college, a career of their choice, and to be lifelong changemakers.

Founded in 2002, LCPS operates a high-achieving K-12 public charter school, and our K-8 sister site, Lodestar, that opened in Fall 2016; serving nearly 1,300 students in East Oakland. Lighthouse is a beacon for public education and our graduates fulfill the promise of a better, brighter Oakland. 95% of our graduates, almost all of whom are first-generation college students, are accepted into four-year colleges. We were named the Hart Vision Charter School of the Year in 2013, and the #1 high school for closing achievement gaps for low-income Latino students in 2016. If the work we do here at LCPS appeals to your values regarding quality education for all then please join our movement! Learn more at www.lighthousecharter.org

About Lodestar-A New Way of Doing School

Lodestar is an innovative, new school that opened in East Oakland in Fall 2016. Lodestar teachers are excited by the possibility of transforming the traditional model of education to be student-centered and experiential. Our teaching pedagogy is built around:

• Design principles of agency and belonging in the community
• Students belonging to an educational community that provides personalized learning
• Project-based learning expeditions using Making/Arts/Design
• Rigorous, differentiated instruction in math and literacy

This model allows our teachers to specialize in. This year, we are adding grade 5 to our existing grade levels of K-4 and 6-8. We will continue to add grades until we are K-12. Take a look at our work and watch our lab in action here !

The Opportunity

About the 5th Grade Project Based Learning (PBL) Teacher 19-20

Lodestar Learning Expedition Teachers design and implement rigorous, project-based learning experiences; called "Learning Expeditions" in EL Education Schools. These learning experiences are standards-based, semester-long interdisciplinary investigations into essential social studies and science issues affecting students' lives. You are a literacy teacher -- using reading and writing to help students build knowledge -- as well as a content teacher. Expeditions culminate in authentic products that serve a need in the Oakland community. Expedition teachers develop curriculum around topics that capture students' interests and passions, and enable students to explore their role as agents of change in their community; expeditions often involve issues of cultural diversity, equity, and social justice or environmental stewardship.

You will embody the following Core Competencies to be an effective change-agent:

• Be a visionary, innovative and equity-focused urban educator
• Facilitate deeply engaging student-centered learning
• Demonstrate a keen ability to create, collect and analyze authentic data
• Be a strong community builder and team collaborator
• Model and Foster a Growth Mindset with agency, persistence, and flexibility

Key Responsibilities:

• Design backwards-planned, interdisciplinary project-based learning investigations of science and social studies content that are student centered and inquiry-based; including problem solving and the development of both character and academic skills.
• Implement in-depth learning experiences that encourage curiosity and passion, incorporate fieldwork and experts in the community, are grounded in deep studies of complex texts, and culminate in authentic opportunities to share final products with the community.
• Support personalized writing instruction in small groups.
• Build student knowledge through regular access to grade level complex text, and scaffold access to text so that all learners can read to learn regardless of reading level.
• Collaborate with Making, Art, and Design teachers to incorporate Making, Art, and Design into high-quality products (when possible).
• Foster relationships with community-based organizations and experts in Oakland and beyond to provide meaningful fieldwork experiences and role models for students.
• Serve as a Crew leader to a grade level cohort of students, being the primary trusted adult and family liaison and supporting students in community building, character development, and academic progress monitoring.
• Contribute unique strengths to the development and design of the Lodestar program.

Supervision

This position reports to Robbie Torney, K-5 Principal.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A. or B.S. required; Master's Degree preferred
• Appropriate California Credential (either Multiple or Single Subject with experience in K-5).
• 3+ years teaching experience serving K-5 urban students preferred)
• Full clearance of TB test, fingerprints, and any other state or federal requirements
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus

TIME COMMITMENT

200-day work year for 11-month employees with 23 student-free days for professional learning and collaboration with colleagues and families. All instructional staff will report in late July/early August 2019 (exact calendar TBD). The position is 1.0 FTE (Full-Time).

Common Building Hours: All teachers are expected to maintain hours of 8:00 - 4:00 pm and 8:00-5:00 one day a week for Professional Development. The exact schedule is to be determined in conjunction with supervisor.

OUR COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

At Lighthouse Community Public Schools we take good care of our employees. We provide a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a competitive salary and generous health and retirement benefits (100% employee health coverage/50% for dependents; 8% employer matching for retirement program; medical and dependent FSA).

TO APPLY

People of color and/or bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing your interest in this exciting position and why you are an optimal fit, including how your teaching philosophy, approach to student learning, and educational expertise would contribute to the Lodestar founding team.
• 3 references with Name, Email, Phone Number and Title/nature of the working relationship

Application submission screening and initial phone interviews will be completed on a rolling basis. In-person interviews and performance tasks will take place on-site.

Lighthouse Community Charter School is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity at all levels.