Chemistry Teacher - James Irwin Charter High School

Position Type:
High School Teaching/Science - Chemistry
Date Posted:
2/5/2024
Location:
James Irwin Charter High School
Date Available:
07/25/2024
Closing Date:
Until FilledHigh SchoolChemistry Teacher (James Irwin Charter High School)
Do you want to change students' lives through teaching and work alongside an incredible faculty and staff? Are you looking to develop the character and academic potential of students? James Irwin Charter High School is currently seeking a full-time Chemistry Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year and beyond. The successful candidate will have a 7-period day with five general chemistry classes, one study hall, and one planning period. Candidates are not required to have an education degree, be licensed, or have prior teaching experience (see below for qualifications).
Here are some of the awards James Irwin Charter High School has received:

• Winner of the John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award (2002, 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2010-2011, 2014, 2016)
• Gold Medal for being in the top 500 High Schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2013-2016)
• College Board's AP Honor Roll (2023-2024), AP Access Award (2023), and AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award (2024)
• America's Most Challenging High Schools by The Washington Post (2011-2016)
• Best of the Springs Reader's Choice Gold and Silver Awards by The Gazette (2013, 2016-2021)

While we do not rest on our awards or accolades, we are always looking for ways to improve the program for our students. We do this by looking for energetic, solution-based teachers with positive attitudes who want to join us in our mission to provide the best college-preparatory education by developing character and academic potential in every student. Our school culture is one of the most encouraging, collaborative places you will find.
If you would like more information, you may email Mrs. Dawn Batteiger, principal at dawn.batteiger@jamesirwin.org or Abigail Williams, principal assistant at abbey.williams@jamesirwin.org or the Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Vanessa Hernandez, at vanessa.hernandez@jamesirwin.org. James Irwin Charter High School is a public school of choice located just west of the Colorado Springs Airport at 5525 Astrozon Boulevard.

• Salary is $40,000 with BA/BS; $45,000 with a MA/MS for 193 days of employment.
• Generous benefits package which includes contributions to PERA, a choice of either a low-cost HMO or an HSA with free supplementary health care and a monthly stipend, 100% of the dental premium paid by JICHS, a loaned laptop computer, and more.
• We offer an on-sire daycare free to our employers. Space is first come first served, but we are expanding this summer.
• Start date: July 25, 2024 (see the 2024-2025 High School calendar on our website).
• Robust teacher development and training program.

Candidates who are selected to interview may be asked to attend a brief meet and greet with the administration. If selected to continue the process, candidates may be asked to return for a more comprehensive interview and teach a sample lesson to students, faculty and/or administration.
The successful candidate should...

• Have advanced knowledge and mastery of chemistry.
• Be willing to demonstrate mastery by taking a brief written test.
• Become familiar with and commit to using the Active Participation or Explicit Instruction methodology by Dr. Anita Archer.
• Be willing to work with a team of faculty who provide consistent teaching methods and assessments throughout all classes at JICHS.
• Integrate character into lessons as appropriate and always exhibit the highest character traits, especially in the company of students and colleagues.
• Be willing to accept and implement feedback on performance via teacher coaching, video recording, and informal and formal evaluations.
• Be committed to always doing what is best for the students.

The successful candidate should also be prepared to...

• Maintain detailed, accurate and up-to-date student records.

• Actively monitor a study hall as assigned.
• Serve as a House Sponsor to mentor and guide students.
• Perform other occasional duties, as assigned (e.g., after-school detention, chaperone Homecoming and Prom).
• Volunteer from time to time to chaperone student activities (e.g. dances, games).

The successful candidate should possess the following skills and abilities:

• Support James Irwin Charter Schools' mission and vision.
• Support and follow all JICS policies and procedures.
• Courage to enforce student dress code and behavior expectations.
• Be a self-advocating, quick learner.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent office administration skills, including written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, students and parents.
• Handle difficult interactions with professionalism, respect, grace and elegance.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook).
• Proficiency with Internet web browsing and research.
• Excellent in time management.
• Dress modestly and appropriately for a professional, academic environment.
• Able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor under pressure and in meeting deadlines.
• Positive, solution-based attitude.

Minimum Work Experience and Education: JICHS follows the Colorado Department of Education State ESSA plan requirements for In-Field qualifying standards* in hiring teachers of core subjects. Therefore, the successful candidate needs to hold at least one of the following in the subject area in which they have been assigned to teach in order to be considered In-Field:

• Endorsement on a Colorado teaching license; or,
• Degree (B.A. or higher); or,
• 36 semester credit hours; or,
• Passing score on a State Board of Education approved content exam (currently the ETS Praxis Series).

* http://www.cde.state.co.us/fedprograms/tii/a_hqt
Faculty Position Summary: A JICHS faculty member has a multi-faceted job: he or she is responsible for planning the curriculum, independently teaching several sections in the content area which may involve honors or advanced sections, and assessing student growth and progress through a variety of standards.
JICHS teachers are also required to keep in regular contact with parents/guardians of students who are not mastering the material, and supporting students individually as much as possible.
JICHS teachers are required to have a minimum of two meaningful grades entered into Infinite Campus each week. They also create their own lesson plans weekly and post these plans for approval from the department head. There are many resources available to the teacher for the creation of the lessons, and collaboration between teachers and departments is encouraged.
Teachers at JICHS aim to drive instruction by being data-oriented and aware of student performance in general, especially on standardized tests. Teachers do this through bi-weekly grade book annotations. Teachers are also responsible for creating and administering quarterly assessments (mid-terms and finals) in addition to the unit assessments, to ensure student mastery and to keep the curriculum and standards as consistent as possible from year to year.
All JICHS teachers share several extra responsibilities including monitoring detention on occasion, chaperoning Homecoming and Prom dances, proctoring study halls and/or labs, and sponsoring one of our ten Houses. These responsibilities are assigned during pre-service training and maintained throughout the academic year.
This may be the career move you've been looking for if you:

• Are energetic, flexible, positive and solution-minded.
• Enjoy working hard for student success.
• Love mentoring, teaching, and being around High School age students.
• Appreciate being coached for excellence in teaching.
• Want to be part of one of the best faculties and work environments in the nation.