24/25 - Interagency Academy - CTE Teacher (Street Law) - .5FTE

Overview of Position

GENERAL SUMMARY

The .5FTE (half-time) role of a Restorative Justice teacher at the Youth Service Center (Detention) at the Interagency Program is a unique teaching opportunity.

A classroom teacher performs, under the general direction of the building principal or program manager and with assistance from appropriate staff personnel.

• A classroom teacher fosters and enhances an effective learning environment; facilitates the development or revision of curriculum and instructional materials;
• establishes learning objectives and standards based upon general District guidelines; provides instruction, counsels, disciplines, and supervises to meet the individual needs of assigned students;

and, to evaluate student performance and progress.

You will be working to build a Restorative Justice framework that helps students understand their court case through the lens of Street Law, Social Justice, and Restorative Justice.

The students in the detention center are either awaiting their court hearing or have been convicted of a crime. We aim to use this time to help students become investigators and social scientists of their current life circumstances through the lens of law, social justice, and restorative justice.

How can they understand the systemic barriers that have led them to this point, whether intentionally or unintentionally?

How can students build a legal understanding that allows them to prepare and assist with their legal proceedings in a thoughtful and educated manner?

Our primary goal is to create a legal aid and / or paralegal pathway for students, enabling them to use their experience in the juvenile system to become social justice advocates, community organizers, legal aids, or paralegals.

This position represents an innovative approach to teaching and learning in the juvenile system. We seek creative, innovative, and social justice-minded applicants committed to reversing and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.

Here is a list of the skills and requirements for the position

Restorative Justice Framework Development

• Building and implementing a Restorative Justice framework.
• Facilitating understanding of Restorative Justice principles among students.

Street Law and Social Justice Education

• Teaching Street Law to help students understand their court cases.
• Educating students on social justice issues and systemic barriers.

Student Engagement and Empowerment

• Helping students investigate and analyze their life circumstances through legal and social justice lenses.
• Empowering students to become critical thinkers and social scientists.

Legal Education and Preparation

• Assisting students in building a legal understanding of their cases.
• Preparing students to participate thoughtfully and knowledgeably in their legal proceedings.

Pathway Development for Legal and Social Justice Careers

• Creating pathways for students to pursue careers as legal aids, paralegals, social justice advocates, or community organizers.
• Providing guidance and support for students interested in legal aid and paralegal careers.

Innovative Teaching Approaches

• Developing and applying creative and innovative teaching methods.
• Adapting teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of students in the juvenile system.

Commitment to Social Justice

• Demonstrating a strong commitment to social justice and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline.
• Advocating for and implementing practices that promote equity and justice.

Cultural Competency

• Understanding and addressing the diverse cultural backgrounds of students.
• Building culturally responsive teaching practices.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborating with other educators, legal professionals, and community organizations.
• Effectively communicating with students, staff, and external stakeholders.

Resilience and Adaptability

• Demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a challenging teaching environment.
• Responding effectively to the dynamic needs of students in detention.

Salary placement for this position will align with .5FTE (50%) of the annual salary.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Fosters an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned students; plans an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs and whole groups which may include at risk or special needs youth; prepares lesson plans.

2. Uses necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials, which are suited to the well-being of the students and to the nature of the learning activities, program and / or curriculum involved;

implements established program or curriculum objectives; attends in-service training and continues to improve professional growth through study and experimentation to remain current in methods and techniques for instruction.

3. Establishes and implements, in a positive and supportive manner, classroom policies and procedures governing student behavior and conduct;

provides guidance, counseling, and discipline to encourage students to meet standards of achievement and conduct; makes referrals for assistance where appropriate.

4. Confers with students, parents or guardians, and other staff, maintaining an open positive relationship as appropriate to provide guidance and evaluation, and to encourage student achievement.

5. Establishes classroom goals and objectives, in conformation with courses of study specified by State and School District statutes, regulations and guidelines;

evaluates and records student progress; prepares reports for parents or guardians.

6. Collects and interprets a variety of data; provides reports for administrative purposes.

7. Directs the activities of assigned non-certificated personnel.

8. Attends or participates in all required staff meetings and other activities deemed necessary by the District and / or building principal, in order to accomplish the objectives of the position and for professional achievement.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

9. Serves on staff committees as required.

10. Participates in a variety of activities to enhance personal and professional skills.

11. Performs related tasks consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to the building principal.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Required to deal with a wide range of student achievement and behavior; required to remain flexible to meet students immediate needs;
• required to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize; may experience frequent interruptions; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students;
• potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; in some positions the necessary and appropriate instructional methods may require specific positions and movements, and sufficient stamina and exertions, to demonstrate techniques properly for student safety, or to conduct or direct students;
• in some positions precautions may need to be taken to prevent or lessen exposure of self and / or students to various materials, fumes, equipment, cutting edges or hot surfaces;

may teach in a classroom without telephone communication.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or appropriate industry background that qualifies the teacher for a Washington State CTE credential; academic preparation for or experience in teaching a culturally, racially and economically diverse student population in an urban school system.

Specific programs may require additional academic preparation or professional experience, including; working with bilingual students and assisting them in the transition to regular classrooms;

implementing programs designed to prevent the dropout of "at risk" students; and, teaching multi-level, open-concept, and main streamed classes.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of : Subject areas appropriate to assignment; effective behavior management techniques; effective instructional techniques;

rules and procedures for student safety.

Skill in : Proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications; effective communication with parents or guardians in a diverse community;

designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement.

• Ability to : Deal with students in a positive and confident manner; be fair and consistent when working with a culturally, racially, and economically diverse student population;
• adapt to change and remain flexible; organize activities; manage student behavior; use good judgement to maintain a safe learning environment;
• provide instruction and demonstrate techniques; use necessary equipment, computers, machinery, tools, or software; direct assistants;

in some positions, administer first aid and CPR; establish and maintain effective, positive working relationships with students, parents or guardians, staff and administrators.

Licenses / Special Requirements

Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate; some positions may require valid first aid and CPR certification; some positions may require a valid Washington State driver's license and / or a Class II driver's license.