Science Teacher - IHSCA

Science Teacher - IHSCA COMPANY DESCRIPTION Instituto Health Science Career Academy along with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child-in every school and every neighborhood has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready.

In alignment with CPS / ISBE, our school strives to provide high quality and specially designed instructional supports and services for all students with disabilities within the least restrictive environment.

We work collaboratively with the goal of improving the academic achievement of all students with disabilities by ensuring they receive meaningful and relevant access to grade level core instruction within the school.

Teachers provide appropriate, effective, and culturally relevant instruction for grades 9-12 aligned to SAT, AVID College Readiness, and state standards.

IHSCA ensures that students are provided a safe learning environment that supports student social-emotional growth as well as academics.

POSITION DESCRIPTION The Science Teacher reports to the Principal and is responsible for teaching science to high school students.

The teacher provides effective and culturally relevant instruction to grades 9-12 that meets both SAT and AVID College Readiness standards and Common Core standards in order to prepare students to graduate from IHSCA with an effective grasp, while incorporating applications of science and scientific thinking to post-secondary experiences.

The science teacher presents concepts with varying research based teaching strategies to ensure student comprehension, while applying hands-on activities, and being actively aware of multiple intelligences in the student body when preparing differentiated curriculum and lessons.

In addition the teacher should demonstrate mastery of using research based and effective classroom management techniques.

Ultimately, the teacher is responsible for developing science skilled students who are capable of mastering the subject to be fully prepared for the rigors of demanding college curriculum and success as future medical professionals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively work with fellow department members to develop appropriate curriculum and lesson plans for 9th to 12th grade students
• Use all resources made available by leadership team and actively seek out new sources of material to share with other department members
• Continually follow best practices to create a safe and inviting classroom environment that fosters both academic and social-emotional learning for all students
• Work collaboratively with instructors to teach and engage with students of a variety of learning styles
• Complete IHSCA weekly lesson plans in a timely manner and make adjustments as recommended by department head and / or administration
• Create lesson plans for all grades and courses being taught by the teacher
• Uses STAR, AVID and Khan Academy data to accurately track student progress on both large scale standardized tests and course-specific tests and quizzes
• Design projects that are rubric based, rigorous, and applicable to health sciences
• Ensure that all students receive appropriate accommodations / modifications as stipulated in the Students with Disabilities Act
• Complete weekly lesson plans based on course scope and sequence in a timely manner and make adjustments as recommended by department head and / or administration
• Compile lesson plans and required classroom materials into the substitute folder, updating as needed
• Collaborate with the special education department to create opportunities for co-teaching and positive whole group learning experiences in the general learning classroom
• Guide pupils in developing skills for writing essays and compositions according to state standards
• Provide scheduled office hours on a regular basis
• Submit daily attendance into PowerSchool
• Input grades into PowerSchool on a timely basis
• Complete all special education paperwork in a timely fashion
• Comply with all regulatory paperwork requirements
• Includes a school-wide focus on the social / cultural domain of learning and student experience, with an emphasis on incorporating the No Non-Sense Nurturing framework and Health Sciences-related materials into the classroom on a regular basis
• Provide interdisciplinary support to the math and English departments
• Willingness to sponsor and support student extracurricular clubs and activities
• Demonstrate knowledge of school’s vision, mission, and values
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress
• Contact parents via e-mail, phone, or in conferences to discuss academics and behavior on a regular basis
• Follow all IHSCA school-wide standards regarding teacher behaviors
• Adhere to all IHSCA electronic and web-based rules and restrictions.
• Participate in conferences, workshops and professional development sessions to keep up to date with the best teaching practices
• Work collaboratively with other teachers to address the various learning styles of different students
• Utilize reflective practices to assess personal and professional growth
• Follow all guidelines found in the Instituto and IHSCA employee handbooks
• Other duties as assigned.
• Identifies and participates in conferences, workshops and Professional Development sessions to keep up to date with the best teaching practices and implementing best practices in the classroom.
• Works collaboratively with instructors of core subjects to identify multiple learning strategies in order to successfully teach students with varying learning styles most effectively and in an engaging manner
• Work collaboratively with social workers, special education staff, and deans of students to ensure the behavioral and educational abilities of students are developed for success after high school.
• Uses reflective practices to assess personal and professional growth in order to seek out opportunities to continually advance professional knowledge and skill

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in science or in secondary education with a minor / concentration in chemistry, biology, physics or any applied science
• At least three years of successful high school science teaching required
• Knowledge of NGSS curriculum is a plus
• Professional educator’s license to teach high school science; Reading and / or ESL / Bilingual endorsement a plus
• Technologically literate including using Microsoft Office is required
• Experience teaching in a laboratory setting desired
• Ability to maintain a high sense of confidentiality
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people
• Ability to work equally well as a team member and as an individual with minimal supervision
• Exceptional organization and time management skills
• Above average customer service attitude
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to speak English and Spanish fluently preferred
• Strong telephone skills and ability to maintain composure under pressure
• Dependability and punctuality
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to effectively manage multiple projects at one time
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and manage unpredictable events and changes effectively
• PHYSICAL DEMANDS Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to collect and compile work documents, as well as exchange information.

Approximately half of the time on the job will be spent standing. Lifting of objects weighing less than 30 pounds may be required.

Due to the nature of the subject matter, the teacher may be exposed to various chemicals. WORKING CONDITIONS Majority of work performed in a general school environment.

Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours may be required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.

Instituto Health Science Career Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer