Middle School English Language Arts Teacher – Creative Minds International Public Charter School – Washington, DC

Creative Minds International PCS is currently seeking a middle school English Language Arts Teacher who has experience implementing English Language Arts Common Core Standards and is familiar with the PARCC assessment.

About Creative Minds International PCS

Creative Minds International Public Charter School (CMI) is a tuition-free school located in NW Washington, DC, authorized to serve students from preschool through 8th grade. Now in its fourth year of operation, CMI serves 240 students in Preschool through 5th grade. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, CMI will expand to include two 6th-grade classes, marking the opening of its new Middle School. Seventh and 8th grades will be added each subsequent year.

CMI is a unique and dynamic working environment with a respectful and positive school culture. We offer a highly-engaging, international curriculum with project- and arts-based activities that foster creativity, self-motivation, social and emotional development, and academic excellence. Our mission is to provide students with the foundational skills required for successful participation in a global society.

Our innovative program is based on an inclusive philosophy of education and a holistic, child-centered approach. Program elements include:

A focus on International Education: featuring the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC): project- and arts-based curricula with a global perspective that are used in more than 90 countries worldwide; instruction in global languages: Spanish and Mandarin classes for all students

A focus on Inclusion: a fully-integrated model for students with special needs

A focus on Arts Education / Integration: instruction in and through drama, music, and the visual arts

A highly diverse student and teacher population

A unique synthesis between charter and private school design elements

For more information about CMI, visit our website http://www.creativemindspcs.org/ and follow us on Twitter @cmipcs.

Responsibilities

The English Language Arts Teacher provides rich, differentiated learning experiences for 6th grade students with a diversity of learning levels (remedial to advanced). Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Integration of Common Core State Standards-based goals and objectives in English Language Arts small group instruction;

Establishing clear objectives for all English Language Arts lessons, units, projects, and assessments;

Providing an inviting, exciting, and innovative learning environment;

Meeting the needs, interests and abilities for all students, including students with disabilities, ELL students, and those who are gifted and talented;

Developing lesson plans that draw content from CMIPCS professional development in the areas of arts integration and child development to reinforce student learning;

Regularly observing students and taking anecdotal notes to inform planning in the arrangement of small groups, classroom set up, integrations of students’ interests in learning activities, and subsequent assessments;

Monitoring student progress in English Language Arts through frequent formal and informal student evaluations recorded in portfolio assessments;

Using a variety of instructional materials, resources, and experiences to enrich student learning;

Providing educational opportunities that reflect an understanding of students’ unique sensory and information processing profiles;

Using appropriate techniques and strategies that promote and enhance creative problem-solving and evaluative thinking of students;

Creating a learning environment that reflects the theme(s) being studied through displays of student work and teacher-created materials;

Working with families to support the progress of individual students;

Valuing the importance of play and providing opportunities for child-initiated explorations in the classroom throughout the day;

Using effective, positive, and respectful interpersonal communication skills;

Establishing positive relationships with colleagues, students, families and the community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual;

Incorporating technology into instruction;

Attending required professional development sessions.

Desired Qualities

Familiarity with the Common Core standards for Math and prior experience teaching to these standards;

Excellent communication skills;

Demonstrated ability and experience to engage the interest of school‐age children;

Prior teaching experience in a public or private school, preferably in an urban setting;

Demonstrated ability to work well with parents;

Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team member;

Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks;

Consistent reflection on her/his own teaching practices;

Experience working with linguistically and ethnically diverse student populations and children with developmental differences;

Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and eagerness to learn;

Demonstrated commitment to the well-being and success of all students.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (M.A. or M.Ed. in Education or Special Education preferred);

Possesses or is eligible for a valid District of Columbia Teaching Certificate or License (standard or provisional)/ Passed the Middle School English Language Arts Praxis (5047) and Principles of Learning & Teaching: Grades 5-9 (0623/5623).

How to apply

Please provide resume, cover letter, and two letters of reference regarding your qualifications for this position to jobs@creativemindspcs.org. Letters of reference should demonstrate commitment to professional growth, ability and willingness to collaborate with peers, etc. (with a required letter from a previous supervisor, and preference for letters from principals, colleagues, professors, and/or previous employers). No phone calls, please.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Creative Minds International PCS is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

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