French Teacher - Charter Middle School

French Teacher

"When we actually do it, we actually learn it." - Declan P. Class of 2014

MISSION
The mission of the Christa McAuliffe Charter School is to cultivate within each member of a diverse student body an intense commitment to self and community, the courage and insight to set high standards for academic and personal success, and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to achieve those standards.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Everything that we do at McAuliffe is intended to meet the needs of students in their early adolescence. You must have the ability to develop meaningful connections with students, strong classroom management, and the skills to create classroom culture in which individuals are valued for what they bring to the group.

As a French Teacher, we hope that you feel excited about engaging students in learning about the language and culture of French speaking peoples. You will collaborate with the World Language Instructional Coach for curriculum and lesson planning. We hope that you'll bring your own knowledge and interests to contribute to ongoing curriculum development for our French classes.

You will be expected to plan and deliver instruction aligned with recognized standards for middle school-level world languages and assess students' mastery of the standards outlined for each. Helping students develop the skills and strategies to be effective and culturally astute readers, writers, listeners and speakers of French is what matters most and we are looking for someone who can implement curricula that balances these skills with knowledge and excitement for world cultures. We expect you to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students at various ability levels.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Employ a variety of teaching methodologies that guide students to engage in language and cultural learning, including cooperative learning, use of protocols, simulations, workshops, hands-on projects, and other inquiry-based activities
Employ total participation techniques to engage all scholars in learning during every moment of class
Implement formative and summative assessments to track student progress; engage students in the assessment and tracking process
Analyze data on student performance to effectively inform instruction
Provide differentiated support including accommodations and modifications to ensure all students are able to meet and exceed standards
Participate in ongoing professional development including peer observations
Implement school-wide positive behavioral systems to effectively manage the classroom
Continually communicate with students' families regarding performance and progress
Serve as an active member of the McAuliffe Community, including attending occasional evening celebrations of student learning
Serve as a Crew (Advisory) leader: lead social emotional learning, team building, and academic advising with a group of 10-12 students

QUALIFICATIONS
French teaching experience (ideally in grades 5 through 9) consistent with McAuliffe's progressive, constructivist, exploratory and project-based educational philosophy
Working knowledge of Language Acquisition Theory
Advanced French language proficiency with relevant content area expertise (will be required to speak in the language during the interview process); Massachusetts educator license preferred
Appreciation for the Expeditionary Learning (EL) design model -- commitment to develop curriculum and implement EL core practices
Appreciation for the life and mind of the adolescent scholar
Personal qualities that exemplify the school's emphasis on character development and community
Skillful at using a variety of assessment methods and data to pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses and skillful at applying instructional practices to address diverse learning needs
Strong interpersonal skills, commitment to teamwork, and readiness to reflect and grow
Values a collaborative approach to working with a diverse population of children and adults
Sense of humor and a high level of energy, enthusiasm, flexibility, and spontaneity
Exemplary organizational skills including ability to prioritize, complete tasks (such as grading) efficiently, keep grade-book up to date, and document lessons, materials, and assessment

ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The Christa McAuliffe Charter School is an EL Education school for 400 scholars in grades 6-8 with a hands-on curriculum that inspires achievement through active learning, character growth, and teamwork. McAuliffe is a community of engaged, motivated learners - students and adults alike. At McAuliffe, students take ownership of their learning, guided by creative, passionate adults who adeptly navigate the ever-present balancing act of challenge and support. A spirit of adventure pervades the school, and the energy is seemingly boundless. McAuliffe is the rare middle school where it really is ok to be yourself. The community values independence and individuality, while practicing collaboration, inclusivity, and acceptance.

WHAT IS EL EDUCATION?
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is a national school transformation organization operating in 165 schools in 30 states and reaching over 45,000 students. EL partners with schools to improve student achievement through an inquiry and project-based approach. EL schools inspire the motivation to learn, engage teachers and students in new levels of focus and effort, and transform schools into places where students and adults become leaders of their own learning.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Email your cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, reference letters, and any other relevant materials that showcase your practice with "French Teacher" in the subject line to nzupancic@mcauliffecharter.org. .

The Christa McAuliffe Charter School (McAuliffe) may not and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, homelessness or any other legally protected status. (M.G.L. c. 71, § 89(m); 603 CMR 1.06(l)).