Innovative Special Education Services :: Supporting Minnesota Charter Schools

Location: Noble Academy District #4171

General Purpose: To create an educational program, classroom and building environment that is Multicultural/Gender/Ability Fair, is favorable to learning and growth, and is based on a commitment that all children can learn.

Professional Qualifications:  A valid Minnesota teaching license, certificate, or other legal credentials required for level of assignment.

• Prior successful experience in urban, multicultural education is desirable
• Demonstrates continued professional development through course work, research, peer collaboration, and/or job-embedded staff development.
• Working knowledge of the subject matter, classroom management techniques, current researched best practices and strategies, and as well as students’ learning styles and needs, both academic and affective

Professional Responsibilities: 

 General:

• Acquires knowledge of academic programs and expectations/goals.  Works to support and achieve those goals.
• Establishes developmentally appropriate instructional and behavioral expectations for students and for him/herself and communicates those to students and their families.
• Creates lessons and learning environments that are safe, respectful and interesting as well as Multicultural/Gender/Ability Fair.   Selects, adapts and individualizes materials appropriate for diverse student populations and skills.
• Teaches students the required curricula using strategies that foster thinking, reasoning and problem solving.
• Collaborates and communicates regularly with families in making educational decisions and uses family and community resources to support learning.
• Assesses students’ developmental, cognitive, and social needs, and provides developmentally appropriate instruction to meet those needs.
• Regularly assesses student learning by using multiple forms of assessment.
• Facilitates positive interactions between students and teacher, student and peers, and student and other adults.
• Models learning and behaviors consistent with the expectations for students.
• Assesses own instructional effectiveness through the Professional Development Process (PDP).
• Participates in ongoing and regular staff, team and individual professional development.
• Collaborates with peers to develop, plan and implement best practices based on the needs/abilities of the students.
• Participates in site-based management and shared decision-making.
• Always keeps the students’ needs and rights first and foremost in any educational decision-making.
• Has a working knowledge of and implements the Minnesota State Standards.
• Participates in all school/family events beyond the school day.
• Develops guidelines for safety, the school day classroom behavior and make sure children follow them.
• Organizes desks, bulletin boards, classroom materials, computer stations and other classroom displays as directed by the administration.
• Maintain a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning.
• Collaborates with teachers to align them and/or team teaching.
• Follows other duties as assigned by the Principal.

Specifics:

• Works closely with Special Projects and seeks for process to stay in compliance to the State’s requirements
• Develops, maintains, and organizes students’ IEPs and files
• Keeps communication lines open and regular with the Director/Principal
• Works closely with school psychologist, speech clinician, and occupational therapist in assessing, interventions, collaboration, strategizing, and developing behavior plans for students as needed
• Leads SST Team:  SST meeting, sets agendas, facilitates meetings, provides the student find process and forms, intervention ideas, etc.

Knowledge and Skills: 

• Assists the Principal with marketing the school through the use of banners, flyers, brochures, signs, fundraising events, etc. as needed.
• Ability and willingness to keep records and classroom space organized and easy accessibility.
• Considerable ability to follow through in a timely manner.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to perform classroom management skills, practices and relationship building
• Considerable skills in teaching others to safely operate office machines and equipment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to members of the public, the community, the staff, the students, and the administration.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with a variety of personality types and dispositions in numerous circumstances while maintaining a controlled, tactful, respectful, professional manner.
• Excellent team player skills with positive attitude.
• Ability to maintain a calm presence in an emergency.
• Ability to think clearly in any situation, determine priorities, and handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to make appropriate decisions quickly.
• Willingness to show initiative in problem solving and team goal achievements.

Professional Expectations:

• Every teacher of the District is subject to the rules and regulations contained in the NBA Staff Handbook and the provisions thereof shall constitute their employment.
• All teachers of the District are expected to be punctual and in regular attendance.
• If any employee is unable to report to duty because of illness or otherwise, immediate notice must be given to the Principal
• Outside work is not permitted during school hours and all employees shall devote their entire defined workday to the duties in which they have been assigned.
• If any employee is unable to report to duty because of illness or otherwise, immediate notice will be given to the Director/Principal of the school.
• All members will maintain a professional appearance, general decorum, and behavior that conforms to their professional status in the community.
• Special care will be taken by every employee in the use and protection of all school property.
• Every staff member is subject to the rules and regulations contained in the Terms of Employment and Staff Handbook
• All staff are expected to be punctual and in regular attendance
• If any employee is unable to report to duty because of illness or otherwise, immediate notice must be given to the Principal
• Outside work is not permitted during school hours and all employees shall devote their entire defined workday to the duties in which they have been assigned
• All members will maintain a professional appearance, general decorum, and behavior that conforms to their professional status in the community
• Special care will be taken by every employee in the use and protection of all school property
• The Employee shall provide the following services in a proper professional and satisfactory manner:

a)       Strive to understand the philosophy and mission statement of the school, to model the ideals expressed therein, and to inspire students to do the same;

b)       Employee agrees to perform his/her job duties diligently, in good faith, and to the best of his/her ability.  The employee further agrees to be loyal to the Board and to Noble Academy.

c)       Outside work is not permitted during school hours and all employees shall devote their entire defined workday to the duties in which they have been assigned.                                                                                                                                                                                       

d)       Accept and follow the policies and procedures of the school as set by the administration and the Board of the school;

e)       Work collegially with the entire staff, in a spirit of cooperation and peace, as a team for the good of the children and the community;

f)        Recognize the parents/guardians as the child’s primary educator and to work in partnership with them;

g)       Conduct instructional classes in specified grade/subject(s) and perform all duties related to this position (assignment may change from year to year);

h)       Take part in curriculum planning and development and to teach to the outcomes that are adopted;

i)         Continue to grow professionally through participation in ongoing staff development during the assigned days and two hours per week beyond the ending of the school day;

j)         Maintain accurate and complete records for each student;

k)       Maintain responsible care of classroom, materials, furnishings, and all school property and to inspire students to do the same;

l)         Contribute and participate in the life of the school community outside the classroom ((i.e. Hmong New Year, Parent-teacher conference, open house, carnivals, curriculum night and other events as requested by the Principal and or shown on the School Year Calendar);

m)     Assess students and monitor student academic progress on a regular basis. 

n)       The standard work day is from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with mandatory attendance at staff meetings on Thursday from 8:45 AM to 9:25 AM and staff development on Tuesday from 7:25 AM to 9:25 AM.  Note: Executive Director may change the staff development & meeting schedule as needed.

Instructions: All interested candidates must submit the following to my attention, either via email or usps mail: resume, cover letter, 3 letters of recommendation & MN license to:

Dianna Chang

4021 Thomas Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN, 55412

(763) 592-7706 Main office

(763) 592-7707 Fax

pdchang@nobleacademy.us

Website: www.nobleacademy.org

Important Clause:    Noble Academy is a small, independent school district.  All staff are expected to understand their roles.  All staff must follow through with responsibilities knowing that sometimes we will have to perform tasks that are not part of our job descriptions.