Teacher, Middle School Social Studies

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Mapleton Public Schools, Adams County District #1 does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries may be referred to the Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources, 7350 Broadway, Denver, CO 80221. (303) 853-1000, or the US Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1961 Stout Street, Denver, CO 80204.
POSITION: Teacher, Middle School Social Studies
LOCATION: Explore PK-8
PAY RANGE: $57,000 - $118,395 Annual Salary
CALENDAR: 190 Days
REPORTS TO: School Director
SCHOOL DESIGN OVERVIEW:
Explore PreK-8 is an Expeditionary Learning (EL) Learning School where students live and learn by the motto, “The world is our classroom.” Explore’s unique placement on historic farmland encourages learning beyond the classroom walls, and the natural wonder of the environment around the school makes explorers out of every Explore student.
Learning comes to life through community-based expeditions, which are long-term, in-depth studies that offer real-world connections and inspire higher levels of academic achievement. Strong community partnerships help students become active learners and leaders where they live.
To learn more about the school culture, please visit Explore PK-8.
WORK LIFE AND BENEFITS:
In Mapleton, we believe you deserve every opportunity to maximize your unique potential. We offer a comprehensive benefits package focused on choice, quality, and value. To learn more about any one of the benefits and advantages of being a part of the Mapleton family, please visit our Benefits page.
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Colorado teaching license with an appropriate Social Studies endorsement required.
• Additional endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education preferred, *or willingness to pursue endorsement or equivalent coursework. *

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES/REQUIREMENTS:
Curriculum:

• Design and implement expeditions/investigations as the primary means of organizing curriculum. Expeditions must align with district and state standards and the school content map.
• Expedition documents must include compelling topics, in-depth investigations, and detailed project plans, including plans for integrating literacy instruction.
• Develop and use rubrics to assess student work throughout the expedition; and
• Support students in the development of their portfolios and preparation for, student led conferences as well as public exhibitions of work.

Instruction:

• Utilize the principles of active and participatory pedagogy to engage students to take an increasingly active role in their learning.
• Employ a range of effective instructional practices to give students the support they need to complete projects and meet standards.
• Develop in-depth lesson plans that ensure instruction is well paced, encourages all students to think, engages all students in productive work throughout the class period, and ensures smooth classroom management.
• Use flexible groups based on ongoing assessment to confer with students and provide differentiated instruction.
• Work with students to create assessment criteria that are connected to standards, portfolio, and passage requirements, and help students understand, reflect on, and take responsibility for their learning.
• Design lesson plans that integrate literacy and support understanding of content in all subject areas.
• Design lesson plans that effectively teach math and support understanding of content in all subject areas.

Leadership and School Improvement:

• Use data to inform decisions about what instruction will best support students.
• Use data to assess your own performance and set individual improvement goals.
• Appropriately participate in a shared decision-making model, which balances the need for centralized (administrative), representative (leadership team), and collective (whole school) decisions.
• Work with school leadership to evaluate school performance and set school improvement goals.

Structures:

• Work with school leadership to revise drafts of calendars, schedules, and other school structures.
• Attend and take full advantage of the range of professional development offered including school, regional, state, and national trainings which are offered throughout the calendar year.
• Establish effective structures for classroom management and progress reporting for your classroom that align with the school's reporting systems.
• Aligned belief and commitment to teaching students for two years within our looping structure.

Culture and Character:

• Prepare students for and participate fully in student-led conferences.
• Give students and families clear and instructive information about student progress in all progress reports.
• Choose instructional practices, compelling topics, and projects that promote character development.
• Participate in adventure activities with students including but not limited to ropes courses, mountain, and camping excursions.
• Participate fully and positively in a staff culture of reflection and the relentless pursuit of our mission.
• Be willing and able to collaborate with peers in the development of curriculum and school structures.
• Be willing to give and receive support from peers to improve teaching practices.
• Facilitate students to take an active role in their own learning and a leadership role in their community through structures including but not limited to service learning and leadership training.
• Effectively manage classroom and school-wide structures that promote positive student behavior.
• Utilize effective practices for community building, including rituals and traditions that build a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

• External applicants must complete a career application online through Frontline Recruiting & Hiring.
• Current Mapleton employees should create an account and submit their interest as an internal candidate through Frontline Recruiting & Hiring.