7th and 8th Grade School Teacher

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

Catholic Schools Office

Teacher Job Description

I.     POSITION TITLE:                        7th and 8th Grade School Teacher

                Department:                       Catholic Schools

                Grade:                                 Junior High 

                Supervisor:                         Principal or Designee

II.    PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Under the supervision of the principal, the teacher is a person of faith who strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education; assumes responsibility for the leadership and management of the grades or classes assigned; develops and implements an instructional program according to the needs of the students and the established Diocesan Curriculum Standards; maintains detailed and accurate records as required by the school; establishes positive school-community relationships; continues professional development to remain current with religious and academic certifications; performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the principal. A knowledge of Gila River Community and prior experience in teaching Native children is preferred.

III.    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strives to achieve the goals of Catholic education:

• Embraces and models the Catholic philosophy of education.
• Promotes and lives gospel values and Catholic moral teaching.
• Upholds the doctrinal teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Provides opportunities for faith development of students in the classroom to prepare them for life in today’s Church and society.
• Can articulate and give evidence of Catholic living by the example of their lives.

Assumes responsibility for the leadership and management of the classes assigned:

• Provides a positive learning environment.
• Organizes the classroom to facilitate student learning.
• Supervises and provides for the safety, welfare, and care of the students while they are in school.
• Works toward the creation of a Catholic community within the classroom and the entire school community.
• Teaches in accordance with diocesan and local policies as well as appropriate state laws.
• Shows respect for individuals and fairness in dealing with students and parents.
• Develops and implements a daily and weekly schedule covering all areas of curriculum. 

Develops and implements an instructional program according to the needs of the students and the established Diocesan Curriculum Standards:

• Integrates Church’s teachings in all aspects of the curriculum.
• Determines levels of student achievement.
• Uses appropriate teaching strategies to meet individual student needs.
• Uses resources available to promote learning experiences for all students.
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies and incorporates technology into instruction.
• Refers students for evaluation and consultation when necessary in collaboration with administration and parents.
• Includes all students in presentation and discussions.

Evaluates student progress effectively: 

• Uses a variety of ongoing assessments.
• Aligns assessments with goals, objectives, information taught, and instructional guidelines and Curriculum Standards of the Diocese and school.
• Provides prompt constructive feedback on student work and performance.
• Maintains proper grading and/or reporting system for each student as required by the principal.
• Meets deadlines with official classroom reports, attendance, and statistics as required by the principal
• Maintains daily lesson plans.

Establishes positive school-community relationships:

• Maintains cooperative relations with all in the school community.
• Promotes respectful and  positive school relationships.
• Maintains awareness of his/her role as a Catholic schoolteacher and its impact on the community.
• Provides for regular conferences and meetings with parents.
• Cooperates with and helps promote various curricular and co-curricular programs within the school.
• Attends and actively participates in school faculty meetings and in-services.

Continues professional development to remain current with religious and academic certifications:

• Keeps informed of current instructional practices through professional reading and educational opportunities.
• Participates in professional activities and joins appropriate professional organizations.
• Attends diocesan sponsored in-services.
• Attends and actively  participates in school faculty meetings and in-services.
• Actively participates in the process of continuous school improvement.
• Maintains personal professional development records.

Performs any other job-related tasks deemed necessary and/or assigned by the principal.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Must demonstrate personal self-discipline, be adaptable and flexible in routine and unexpected situations.
• Must use good judgment in daily encounters.
• Must use verbal and written language correctly.
• Must demonstrate an appropriate sense of humor.
• Must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of good teaching techniques and child psychology.
• Must maintain appropriate grooming and dress at all times as stated in the faculty handbook.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• Preference given to Catholic teacher.
  • Must be willing to make a public Profession of Faith if Catholic and if non – Catholic willing to support Catholic teachings and philosophy.
• Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Must be certified by the Arizona State Department of Education as a teacher and meets applicable NCA requirements.
• Received Safe Environment Training and signed the Code of Conduct.
• FBI Fingerprint clearance completed.

·         Must meet Ministry Formation Certification and/or re-certification as required by Diocesan policy