Middle School Math Teacher – The Catlin Gabel School – Portland, OR

Catlin Gabel School seeks to employ the best qualified individuals from available applicants and to provide them with opportunity for advancement in a manner that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.

Catlin Gabel School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to its success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

Position Title: Middle School Math Teacher
Department: Middle School

FTE: 1.0 (Exempt)
Reports to: Middle School Head

POSITION SUMMARY
This position teaches middle school math. A middle school math teacher is typically responsible for teaching three classes and a math study hall/math lab, as well as co-advising a group of students. The teaching load for math classes could be in one grade level or across grade levels depending on the needs of the school. We seek applicants who are interested in a dynamic relationship with students as well as their colleagues based in positivity and collegiality. In addition to daily formal teaching responsibilities, teachers are expected to participate in, and lead, activities that include but are not limited to extra-curricular, experiential, and community engagement across grade levels. All faculty participate in overnight retreats and trips with students throughout the year. As a progressive school, we expect all employees to embrace whole child education, inquiry-based practices, educating for democracy, and experiential learning pedagogies.

This position requires use of a variety of teaching methods to support different learning styles, academic abilities, and have successful experience teaching mathematics. Incumbents should demonstrate excitement in helping all students build self-confidence and understand “mathematician” as part of their identity formation through exploration and discovery. Culturally competent and responsive teaching approaches are required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Teach middle school math classes (typically three sections) and support students in math study hall/math lab
• Create an inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environment through regular class meetings, supportive exchanges with students, and clear expectations for classroom behavior
• Work collaboratively with fellow faculty and administrators in curriculum design and alignment in the math scope and sequence in the MS as well as PS-12
• Coordinate and implement, at the classroom level, appropriate student assessments and utilize assessment results to enhance student learning, including differentiated instruction
• Integrate the use of technology to support mathematical understanding for students
• Communicate in a clear and timely fashion with all community members
• Cooperatively work and communicate effectively with parents in conferences and written reports
• Support and follow the Faculty Handbook for Policies and Procedure and MS Professional Expectations
• Be a positive and contributing member of the professional community
• Serve as an active member of a grade level team, including participating on class trips
• Develop, plan, and lead or co-lead experiential learning activities with a group of students

OTHER DUTIES
Other duties as assigned by Middle School Head

SCOPE OF WORK
Though the work is performed largely independently, ongoing collaboration is expected with all math colleagues across the school. Collaboration with grade level teams, committees as assigned, and the Middle School Head are also expected. Big Ideas Math is used for the Middle School math curriculum.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACT
Interactions occur most routinely with students in the classroom and during other activities. Many informal interactions with students for whom the teacher has no direct supervision or responsibility happen regularly. Daily contact ranges from direct teaching of curriculum to informal exchanges of a personal or social nature. Regular contact with colleagues, particularly those working in the same grade level, discipline or on a joint project is expected. Frequent contact with parents either for scheduled conferences or casual conversation is a community norm. Responsible and active collaboration with colleagues, in all divisions, is expected. Important personal qualities include interest in and demonstrated ability to teach and support teenagers, ability to work effectively with a team, a sense of humor, flexibility, organizational ability, energy, and collegiality.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• BA or BS in math or related field required.
• MA or MS in math or related field and/or related experience preferable.
• At least two years demonstrated effective math teaching experience required.
• Experience in curriculum development is a plus.
• Experience with Understanding by Design instructional planning a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with adolescents is required.
• Use of internet, e-mail, and other appropriate technology applications is essential.
• Understanding and experience with student-centered teaching, project-based learning, and performance-based assessment is preferable.

COMPETENCIES

• Cultural competence
• Enthusiasm and excitement to work with middle school students
• Ability to adapt teaching style to multiple learning styles
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with adolescents, colleagues and family members

WORKING CONDITIONS
This is a faculty position with an academic year schedule. Teachers are expected to be on campus at least between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily and to attend other functions as designated, including regular Wednesday meetings that potentially have 7:30 am start times or a 5:00 pm end time. Full-time faculty teachers are expected to travel to retreats, conferences and workshops as well as accompany students on various experiential activities throughout the year. There are some mandatory evening and weekend commitments.

Mobility to navigate to classrooms within two-level middle school, and to other facilities within the school campus is required. Occasional travel with groups of students by public transportation, bus or van is also required.