Hope Academy Elementary Art/Music/P.e. Teacher

Company Description

The mission of Hope Academy of Northwest Arkansas is to provide students with a safe, positive trauma-informed academic environment that will nurture their love for learning and confidence in life.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Hope Academy is a unique elementary charter school that is centered around the academic, social, and behavioral needs of children who have had adverse childhood experiences. Our approach provides ample opportunities for children and families to heal while engaged in our research-driven academic process. At Hope Academy, we believe every child can thrive regardless of trauma-induced behaviors, social skill deficits, or academic struggles. Our model features rigorous grade-level academic content provided in small class sizes with very low student to teacher ratios, extensive behavioral and emotional supports, and a staff fully trained to meet the needs of students whose experiences may impact their ability to be successful in a traditional school setting.

Job Description

THE POSITION:
Reporting to the Principal, the Elementary Art/Music/P.E. Teacher is responsible for providing classroom instructional leadership and implementing trauma-informed curriculum activities in a manner that promotes the educational development of each student.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create a safe, welcoming environment that will allow you to connect with traumatized students and nurture them on a pathway to learning and healing
• Create and implement lesson plans that meet the diverse needs of all students in your classroom
  • Art, music, and physical education lessons that prioritize teamwork, critical thinking, and imagination
• Review curriculum and devise approaches to increase student understanding and engagement when necessary
• Direct support staff as they work alongside you to ensure the needs of the children are being met
• Consult with other teachers, team members and learning specialists to develop enrichment activities and modifications to students’ learning plans
• Participate in the organization and administration of all state-mandated requirements, such as testing
• Implement Hope Academy’s behavior response methods, which are based on trauma-research and the Conscious Discipline method
• Attend trainings that will adequately prepare you for working with children who have experienced trauma

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience:

• Licensure in one or more of the following areas: Music, and/or Art, and/or Physical Education
• Strong knowledge in the areas of music, art, and physical education
• Strong organizational, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • ​​​​​​​Technical skills preferred
  • An ability to create interactive lessons utilizing smart board features (preferred)
  • An ability to incorporate a broad spectrum of interactive activities specifically aimed at art, music, and physical education.
• Excellent classroom management skills
• A passion for helping struggling students engage in art, music, and physical education activities
• An ability to maintain calm during moments of high stress
• An ability to assist in the co-regulation of upset students
• A willingness to collaborate with the various therapeutic, academic, and behavior specialists who assist individual students within your classroom
• An ability to adapt lessons based on the social-emotional growth and development of students
• A willingness to be trained and implement best trauma- responsive practices within your classroom
  • Conscious Discipline training preferred
• High degree of flexibility and an ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
• Self-starting capabilities with willingness to think outside the box for meaningful and engaging lessons
• Supportive team member who collaborates well with others
  • Willingness to help other team members as needed
  • Seek out opportunities to grow professionally

Additional Information

Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands:

The demands described are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Physical stamina and agility required to care for active children.
• As required, provide supervision for lunch duty, recesses, and field trips, etc.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Must pass all criminal history and child maltreatment background checks.
• Must submit to pre-employment drug screens as well as random drug screens when directed.
• Attend and participate in mandatory training, staff meetings, and all other events, as required.
• Maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Complete all required documentation in a timely manner per Hope Academy procedures.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it. Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter/Hope Academy reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.