Description
Overview:
Teachers employed at Finn Academy: An Elmira Charter School will be responsible for delivering rigorous instruction aligned to the New York State Common Core Learning Standards, the Expeditionary Learning Core Practices, and the Finn Academy Curriculum Framework. Teachers are expected to focus on three dimensions of learning: scholar mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and quality scholar work. At Finn Academy, effective instructional practices ensure equity and high expectations. Differentiated instruction in inclusive classrooms is the norm for all learners, and each classroom builds a culture to honor and meet diverse learning needs while holding all scholars accountable to the same learning targets. Special Education Teachers determine scholars' needs through an array of assessment strategies. They examine scholar data and work products to identify patterns. They respond to learning needs with research-based instruction and intervention, monitor progress, and work as key members of the RTI teams and the Committee on Special Education. As required by scholars' 504 Plans and/or IEP's, Finn Academy Special Education Teachers develop, implement, and evaluate individually tailored modifications and accommodations. They research strategies and supports for scholars, and make knowledgeable, data-based recommendations for practice. They work as key team members and engage all scholars with challenging content. They effectively foster character through inspirational lessons that develop scholars' perseverance, kindness, and responsibility. Finn Academy teachers work collegially to map, deliver, and assess skills and content in a standards-aligned school-wide curriculum. In concert with their teams, they create and select high-quality, compelling curriculum materials, differentiating them appropriately in accordance with data from quality assessments. They collaborate to design expeditions, projects, work products, and demonstrations of learning. They recognize that scholars must acquire global skills and knowledge, explore big ideas and essential questions, apply technical skill and develop unique approaches, perform and express, and reflect the Finn Academy culture. Teachers are engaged and respectful team members who commit to best instructional practice and build and sustain meaningful rapport with scholars, families, colleagues, and community partners. The Finn Academy Special Education Teacher will be NCLB highly-qualified in his/her area of expertise.
Required Competencies:
Effective Instruction |
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Scholar Motivation |
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Responsive to Feedback |
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Mission Alignment |
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Family/Community Engagement |
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Skills and Characteristics:
- Ability to build rapport with children, colleagues, and community
- Articulate, confident, warm professional demeanor
- Ability to work on both broad-based strategy and everyday details
- Excellent judgment and discretion
- Initiative, organization, and follow-through
- Passion for serving all scholars and for learning
- Sense of urgency to do whatever it takes to help achieve our mission
- Team player
- Curiosity and desire to be a learner
- Coachability
- Provisional or Permanent New York State Teaching Certificate preferred for area of assignment, to meet NCLB highly-qualified guidelines
- Successful teaching experience
- Charter school experience desirable