Middle School Spanish Teacher For The 2024-2025 School Year

Aspen Middle School seeks a dynamic Full Time Spanish teacher to join our outstanding faculty of teachers beginning August 2024.
Position Title: Middle School Spanish Teacher
Department: Aspen Middle School
Reports to: Middle School Principal
Classification: Certified Full-Time Exempt
Contract Period: 9 month instructional (185 days with some variance depending on the year)
Compensation: Certified Salary Schedule
Benefits: ASD offers district-funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit-eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen, employee assistance program, wellness program, supplemental insurance (ie cancer, disability, etc).
Purpose: The Middle school Spanish teacher instructs and helps students communicate in and understand the Spanish language through development of plans and use of instructional materials that support the established standards-based, core academic Spanish curriculum. The teacher must ensure that each student is provided with the knowledge, proficiencies, and experiences necessary to become successful in college or post secondary employment, foster responsible citizenship, and inspire a lifelong love of learning. This teacher will facilitate the development of strong comprehension and speaking skills with a near-native pronunciation, develop ease and confidence with reading and writing skills, encourage students' integration of language learning across their daily academic experience, and promote a passion for language learning linguistics.
Candidates must possess a current, initial or professional Colorado teaching license with an endorsement in K-12 Spanish or be eligible to obtain this licensure within the first 3 months of employment. Mastery of Spanish and English is essential as well as training and experience in comprehensible-input methodology and the Spanish for Spanish Speakers course.
Principle Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the state and school district Spanish curriculum and academic standards;
• including knowledge of the ways in which learning takes place and the appropriate levels of cognitive, social, and emotional development for adolescents;
• Facilitate learning for all students using a variety of instructional methods, resources, and technological tools;
• Provide students with opportunities and support in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the exploration of ideas, and the development of leadership qualities;
• Take responsibility for student growth using a variety of assessments and ongoing improvement of instructional practice;
• Reflect on teaching practices, analyzing student learning to improve and enhance instructional practice;
• Demonstrate leadership by effective and productive collaboration with colleagues and the school community to enhance the teaching profession;
• Possess the ability to communicate and interact effectively and productively, both verbally and in writing, with parents and all staff;
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for collaboration, using MTSS framework, with a team of administrators, teachers, and support staff;
• Demonstrate the ability to work with cross-departmental and or grade level teams to develop goals for improving student achievement;
• Demonstrate teacher leadership, advocating for students and exhibiting high ethical standards;
• Extend learning experiences beyond the classroom by actively participating in the Middle School experiential education program.

General Expectations:

• Manage oneself (be organized, prepared, and punctual; manage resources; meet deadlines; follow through on commitments; demonstrate appropriate physical appearance relative to job and environmental expectations) in a manner that enhances the school community;
• Act in ways that directly support the missions of Aspen Middle School and the Aspen School District on a consistent basis;
• Learn and grow as a professional;
• Use clear verbal and written communication and active listening skills;
• Develop and maintain rapport and effective relationships with adolescents and adults contacted in carrying out duties and responsibilities by using courtesy, diplomacy, collaboration, cooperation, and professional conduct;
• Contribute to the goals and success of all teams and team members through collaboration, cooperation, and flexibility in team discussions, activities, and decision-making;
• Maintain high ethical standards, legal responsibility, and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• International Baccalaureate experience at the Middle School level is preferred. This may include IB teaching, tutoring, or examining experience. Implement meaningful lessons and units in your classroom while meeting the IB Program requirements. Participate in IB professional development and workshops, that may be outside of contract time.

Working Environment:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:

• some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, stooping, kneeling, and sitting
• frequent standing, walking, and repetitive motion with computer use.

The job is performed in a generally clean and comfortable environment.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The Middle School Spanish teacher will be required to follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.