Middle School Social Studies/ELA (Long Term Substitute) Teacher Job Overview:
The Middle School Social Studies and English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher is responsible for teaching both Social Studies and ELA to students in grades 6-9. This role requires a dynamic and engaging educator who can develop interdisciplinary lessons that not only cover historical, geographic, and cultural content, but also foster strong literacy, writing, and critical thinking skills. The teacher should be passionate about instilling a love of reading, writing, and history in their students, while promoting inquiry, debate, and the development of informed, responsible citizens.
Key Responsibilities:
Instruction and Curriculum Development:
- Social Studies Instruction:
- Teach middle school Social Studies courses, covering topics such as world history, U.S. history, African history and culture, geography, government, economics, and civics.
- Develop and implement engaging lesson plans that align with AERO standards and a C3 approach, incorporating diverse perspectives and fostering critical thinking.
- Use a variety of teaching strategies, including discussions, debates, project-based learning, primary sources, and multimedia resources, to make history and social studies relevant and engaging.
- Encourage students to analyze historical events, examine the relationship between past and present, and understand the importance of civic engagement.
- English Language Arts (ELA) Instruction:
- Teach middle school ELA, focusing on reading comprehension, literary analysis, writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, and speaking/listening skills.
- Select and teach age-appropriate novels, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction texts that promote literacy and allow students to explore themes of identity, society, and culture.
- Develop writing assignments that build students’ skills in opinion, narrative, and expository writing.
- Use differentiated instruction to address varying levels of reading and writing proficiency within the classroom.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Student Progress and Feedback:
- Use a variety of formative and summative assessments to monitor student learning.
- Provide timely, specific, and constructive feedback on assignments and projects to guide student growth and improvement.
- Maintain accurate records of student performance and communicate progress to students and parents through regular reports and conferences.
- Provide comprehensive report cards with comments specific to each student
- Differentiated Instruction:
- Differentiate lessons and activities to meet the needs of all learners, including those with special education needs, English Language Learners (ELLs), and exceptional students.
- Adapt instruction for students who may need additional support or enrichment, ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged and supported in their learning.
Classroom Management and Environment:
- Behavior and Discipline:
- Establish and maintain clear rules, routines, and expectations to create a positive, respectful, and productive learning environment. Use proactive strategies to engage students, prevent disruptions, and address behavioral issues fairly, focusing on growth and self-reflection. Supervise students at all times during school hours, uphold child protection and safeguarding standards—ensuring their safety, engagement, and accountability.
Collaboration and Professional Development:
- Collaboration with Colleagues:
- Work with colleagues to align curriculum, share resources, and discuss strategies to meet the diverse needs of students.
- Participate in grade-level meetings and school teams to contribute to the overall success of the school and student achievement.
Professional Growth:
- Engage in ongoing professional development and stay current with trends in teaching, literacy, and Social Studies. Participate in faculty meetings, school events, and parent conferences, while communicating effectively with parents about student progress. Reflect on teaching practices, seek feedback, and contribute to a positive, collaborative school culture, upholding the school’s mission, values, and commitment to student growth.
- Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities:
- Provide enrichment opportunities for advanced students through additional readings, research projects, and independent learning.
- Lead or support school-wide initiatives such as history fairs, book clubs, writing contests, or debate teams to further students’ understanding and passion for Social Studies and ELA. Lead or support with after school activities per the school requirement.
Qualifications:
- Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Middle School Education, Social Studies, History, English, or a related field. Familiarity with the American curriculum.
- Experience teaching middle school students, with a background in both Social Studies and ELA instruction.
- Strong knowledge of Social Studies content (history, geography, government, economics) and English Language Arts (literary analysis, writing, grammar, and vocabulary).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and assignments.
Working Conditions:
- Full-time position with regular school hours.
- Collaborative and supportive work environment with frequent interaction with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Occasional evening or weekend commitments for school events, parent-teacher conferences, or extracurricular activities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and names and contacts of three professional references to: [email protected] by February 19th.
- AISL is committed to child safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff to share this commitment.