Teacher

Description

Job Summary

St. Joseph Catholic School is seeking a positive, highly organized, and student-centered educator to serve as a self-contained elementary classroom teacher. The Elementary Classroom Teacher is responsible for providing engaging, developmentally appropriate instruction across the elementary curriculum while creating a structured, welcoming, and faith-filled classroom environment. The teacher monitors student progress, communicates regularly with families, collaborates with colleagues, and supports the academic, spiritual, social, and emotional growth of each student.

For more than 130 years, St. Joseph Catholic School has formed students in mind, body, and spirit. The successful candidate will contribute actively to our Catholic mission, academic program, faculty team, and culture of belonging in which every student is known, valued, and supported.

Ministerial Character

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin are canonically obedient to the Bishop and assist him in fulfilling his ministry and canonical obligations. Pastors and school administrators serve as leaders of the schools to make Christ's mission present and enduring in the schools. In order to fulfill Christ's mission, the school leaders employ suitable, chosen collaborators, sharing with them Christ's mission and entrusting to them various responsibilities.

Positions employed in this School help extend the ministry of the School leaders in particular ways as outlined in the job description. The employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the School leaders in the performance of their ministry and, therefore, engages in ministry for the Church.

Essential Duties 

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion. 
• Develop weekly lesson plans that identify learning objectives, instructional activities, differentiation, and appropriate methods of assessment. 
• Establish a structured and welcoming classroom characterized by clear expectations, consistent routines, mutual respect, and active student engagement. 
• Use assessments, student work, classroom observations, and available achievement data to monitor progress and adjust instruction. 
• Differentiate instruction to address students’ individual learning needs, readiness levels, interests, and strengths. 
• Provide timely feedback and maintain accurate lesson plans, gradebooks, attendance records, student records, and other required documentation. 
• Communicate proactively, clearly, and professionally with parents and guardians regarding student progress, classroom expectations, achievements, and concerns. 
• Collaborate with grade-level colleagues, specialty teachers, student-support personnel, and school leadership to promote instructional consistency and student success. 
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, student-support meetings, school activities, liturgies, supervision duties, and community events. 
• Work constructively with colleagues, receive and apply feedback, and contribute positively to a professional culture of teamwork and shared responsibility. 
• Provide appropriate classroom management and respond to student behavior with consistency, dignity, and care. 
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. 
• Protect the confidentiality of student, family, and school information. 
• Use instructional technology and school platforms effectively and responsibly. 
• Fulfill additional responsibilities consistent with the position as assigned by school leadership. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Ability to support the mission, teachings, and Catholic identity of St. Joseph Catholic School and the Diocese of Austin. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of elementary curriculum, instruction, assessment, and classroom management. 
• Ability to teach multiple subjects effectively within a self-contained elementary classroom. 
• Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to meet diocesan employment, background-check, fingerprinting, and Ethics and Integrity in Ministry requirements before beginning employment. 

 Education 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required. 
• Degree in elementary education, curriculum and instruction, child development, or a related field preferred. 
• Valid state teaching certification or eligibility for certification preferred. 

 Experience 

• Successful elementary classroom teaching, student-teaching, or other relevant instructional experience required. 
• Experience teaching multiple elementary subject areas preferred. 
• Experience using student data to differentiate instruction and promote measurable academic growth preferred. 
• Experience working in a Catholic, faith-based, independent, or mission-driven school environment preferred. 

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply strong elementary content knowledge across the curriculum. 
• Plan, prioritize, and complete responsibilities accurately and on time. 
• Maintain an organized classroom, gradebook, instructional program, and system of student records. 
• Communicate clearly, respectfully, and proactively with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. 
• Build positive relationships while maintaining high academic and behavioral expectations. 
• Collaborate effectively and contribute to the success of colleagues, students, and the school community. 
• Analyze student performance and use the results to guide instruction and intervention. 
• Differentiate instruction for students with varied learning needs and levels of readiness. 
• Create a positive, engaging, and inclusive atmosphere for learning. 
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, patience, and confidentiality. 
• Receive feedback professionally and demonstrate a commitment to continued growth. 
• Adapt constructively to changing student needs, schedules, priorities, and school responsibilities. 
• Use educational technology and digital learning platforms effectively. 
• Demonstrate dependability, integrity, initiative, and a genuine spirit of service. 

Preferred Personal and Professional Characteristics

St. Joseph Catholic School is especially interested in an educator who:

• Sees teaching as both a profession and a Ministry. 
• Is positive, dependable, prepared, and attentive to detail. 
• Builds meaningful relationships while maintaining high expectations. 
• Communicates with families early, clearly, and constructively. 
• Approaches challenges with flexibility, professionalism, and a solution-focused mindset. 
• Celebrates student progress while continually pursuing further growth. 
• Contributes actively to a strong sense of faculty and school community. 
• Helps students grow in knowledge, confidence, character, and faith. 

Requirements

Certifications and Training:

• Must meet the minimum requirements for teaching field as set forth by the Diocese and TCCED.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment period.
• Must meet staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese and school administration.
• Must complete Religion Certification Part 1 within two years of the date of hire, completing a minimum of 25 hours each year.

Working Conditions

• All employees of the school are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the principal in the exercise of the principal’s ministry and obligations to the school.
• The school is an at-will employer.
• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.
• Will be participate in religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech including Christian prayer and Catholic liturgical celebrations. Staff meetings and other functions may open and close with Christian prayer.
• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the school are tobacco free.
• May be required to use personal or school vehicles to drive to off-site locations.
• Must maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to students, parents, colleagues, and administration.

Employee Certification

All employees must adhere to the Catholic Schools Standards of Conduct, the Diocese of Austin EIM policies, and the social, ethical, and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as interpreted by the Bishop of Austin. Texas is an “at-will” employment state. Letters of employment are not contracts, nor do they bind the employer or the employee to a predetermined time or guarantee of employment.