Organization: Para Los Niños
Job Title: Middle School Teachers
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: 3/8/08

Para Los Niños is currently seeking qualified individuals to apply for a job opening of Teacher for our Charter Middle School.

Definition:
The Para Los Ninos Charter Middle School is looking for enthusiastic, talented, and committed teachers to participate in the expansion of the Para Los Ninos educational program. Opening in September 2008, our Charter Middle School will continue our commitment to offer a high-quality, rigorous and compassionate educational experience to families in downtown Los Angeles. Under the direct supervision of the Charter School Principal, Charter School Teachers will serve as the primary teacher in a single subject area (i.e, Mathematics, Science, English-Language Arts, and Social Studies). Teachers will collaborate with grade level teams to implement an integrated, project-driven, standards-based curriculum. Teachers will act as advisors to a group of students for the entirety of their tenure at the school and loop with students through 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in their subject area. Teachers will participate in authentic assessment of students including narrative evaluations, student led conferences, and end-of-unit exhibitions. Teachers will also collaborate with school principal, curriculum support coordinator, and the School-age Care Youth Services Supervisor in implementing integrated instructional activities and family literacy workshops and events; assist in identifying instructional resources for teachers and students and be responsible for implementing and integrating new policies and services that support the school’s mission and instructional objectives.

Duties:

• Teaches subject area according to curriculum guidelines specified by the charter school.
• Further develops and refines a high-level, challenging curriculum in subject area.
• Maintains ongoing curriculum evaluation and development to meet the needs of students.
• Collaborates with other faculty in delivery of appropriate instructional approaches, working to serve the various learning styles and needs of students.
• Implements curriculum and instruction in a manner consistent with PLN's mission statement, including understanding, modeling, and fostering independent thinking skills, creative problem solving, and abstract reasoning.
• Facilitates resolution of problems that might arise with students and parents.
• Assesses student performance frequently and objectively.
• Promotes ethical behavior while in school atmosphere to demonstrate responsible conduct by student and staff.
• Develops with parents and students a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and objectivity.
• Holds parent/student/teacher conferences in a manner consistent with the Charter Middle School policy manual.
• Encourages and promotes parental, student and community involvement.
• Continues intellectual and professional development and pursues further education in primary academic discipline.
• Follows state and charter-mandated school guidelines, except where PLN has received specific waivers. Follows policies established by the Board of Directors.
• Participates in professional development activities relating to education, and information technologies.
• Participates in all staff meetings including school governance.
• Demonstrates awareness of school/community needs and initiates activities to meet those identified needs.
• May perform other projects and duties as directed by supervisor.

Other Duties:

• Carries out mission, vision, and values established by the President/CEO and Board of Directors.
• Participates in the overall agency Accreditation Quality Improvement Process.
• Must have the ability to nurture respectful relationship with client and children and must be sensitive to the cultural needs of the population served.

Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully.

Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in applicable field of education from a regionally accredited college or university
• Holds a Professional Certificate appropriate to area of assignment issued by the California State Department of Education (Single Subject Teaching Credential in English, Math, Science OR Social Studies).
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning process, preferably at the middle education level.
• Teaching experience in a public or private setting, including work with highly capable students
• Demonstrated experience working with challenge groups in a standards-based environment, including utilizing assessments to place students, curriculum compacting, flexible pacing, flexible instruction, grouping and regrouping, acceleration, enrichment, and independent study to meet student needs.
• Demonstrated talent in the instruction of students with varied learning styles and levels of mastery.
• Demonstrated success in effectively solving challenging problems through a positive, collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated expertise in subject area
• Bilingual English/Spanish desirable
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, parents, administrators, colleagues, community, and other school system staff.
• Must be able to work collaboratively in a non-traditional, inner-city environment
• A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement

Special Requirements

• Must have a reliable automobile for use on the job (mileage to be reimbursed). Valid California Driver License. State required automobile insurance coverage;
• TB clearance, to be renewed every two years

Physical Requirements:
Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend. Must be able to talk and hear well. Good vision is imperative. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 25 pounds.

Starting Salary: Competitive Salary, Depending on Education and Experience

Status: Exempt / Full-time-Contracted

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Benefits: PLN offers an excellent executive benefit package, which includes full health,
dental and life insurance, vacation, sick days, holidays and 401k plan.

500 Lucas Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Tel: (213) 250-4800
HR Fax: (213) 572-0158
E-MAIL Address: hr@paralosninos.org

Para Los Ninos is an equal opportunity employer.