MIDDLE SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER
The Spanish teacher for Middle School joins a four-person World Language team (Middle School and Lower School Spanish and Mandarin). This role is responsible for developing and implementing a dynamic age-appropriate curriculum for instruction in Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures for our 5th-8th grade classes. The Spanish teacher works collaboratively with classroom and other World Language teachers and participates fully in the life of the school, attending meetings and staff retreats, curriculum nights, school celebrations, and upholds the mission, vision, and values of Westside School.
Reports to: Middle School Head
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain and help focus the school mission, vision and values.
- Teach 50-55 minute classes to each grade four times per week.
- Promote and advance the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical well-being of the students during Spanish classes.
- Implement and adapt to curriculum using current world language instructional methodologies.
- Coordinate regularly with classroom teachers about curriculum and classroom areas of study.
- Meet with classroom teachers as needed to discuss student progress and identified needs.
- Regularly assess student learning and present this learning in formal reports and conferences.
- Teachers are expected to act as advisors to a small group of middle school students. Advisory groups will meet once daily each week.
- Collaborate on planning and chaperoning international trips.
- Work in teams to guide students on domestic outdoor trips.
- Work collaboratively with the World Language Team to develop the World Language Learning Continuum and best classroom practice. World Language Teachers are expected to meet for weekly team meetings.
- Communicate with parents as needed.
- Maintain and purchase Spanish curriculum materials.
- Set annual goals for focus and growth with the Middle School Head, participating in a peer support team, and seeking out and participating in staff development opportunities.
- Help with dismissal, lunch, snack, and other duties throughout the year.
Successful candidates will have the following personal and professional attributes:
- Minimum of two years of Spanish language teaching experience, preferably at the middle school level (fifth through eighth grade).
- A bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Spanish language, Spanish language education, or Second Language Acquisition, or Bachelors (or higher) in Education with a World Language Teaching Endorsement or certification through government agencies (i.e. STARTALK).
- Must possess a Spanish proficiency level of Advanced Low (or higher) in written and spoken Spanish.
- Understanding of and relevant experience in a variety of current language instructional techniques and methodologies.
- Skills and experience in differentiated instruction.
- Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with colleagues, including the desire to plan curriculum experiences across the Middle School.
- Familiarity and facility with current research informing teaching and learning (general classroom instructional methodologies, social and emotional learning, classroom management, learning differences, etc.).
Start Date: August 2020
Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time position for the 2020-2021 academic school year. Westside School offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees.
Westside School prepares students for the world by challenging them to achieve academic success, and by connecting their human spirit and imagination to learning.
To Apply: Please submit a resume, cover letter, statement of educational philosophy, and a list of 3-5 references to employment@westsideschool.org.
