Secondary Education Teacher (Alt. Ed) ($55,394+)

Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for Secondary Teachers at the Alternative Education Centers that may become available for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Working under the direction of the school principal and in partnership with Transforming Lives Inc., this position works with students in decision making, interpersonal development, and academic growth by providing the strategies, resources, and instruction to enable each student to meet the demands of the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards.

Teachers are responsible for creating a supportive learning environment. They also develop and implement lesson plans and assess student progress.

Duties

• Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the needs, interests and abilities of individuals to ensure Success for Every Student;
• On a regular and consistent basis, meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated;
• Creates a classroom environment that provides for student involvement in the learning process and enables each student to achieve learning objectives;
• Provides an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities;
• Prepares for classes assigned, and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate superior;
• Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and in harmony with the goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students;
• Establishes learning objectives consistent with appraisal of student needs, requirements of DCPS curriculum framework, and knowledge of human growth and development;
• Plans for and utilizes instructional methods, resources and evaluation techniques which motivate and enable each student to achieve learning objectives;
• Diagnoses the learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of central staff as required. Provides input when necessary to student IEP's;
• Takes all necessary and safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities;
• Maintains accurate and complete records as required by law, DCPS policy and administrative regulation;
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner;
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms;
• Establishes relationships with colleagues, students, parents and community which reflect recognition of and respect for every individual;
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for instructional assistants, teacher assistants, and volunteers. May evaluate assistant’s job performance with department heads and/or administrators;
• Appraises his/her own effectiveness and demonstrates successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness. Strives to maintain and improve professional competence;
• Participates in school management and shares responsibility for the total school program;
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Possess, or be eligible for, a Maryland State Department of Education teaching license;
• Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from an accredited college or university;
• Knowledge of child development, content expertise, and DCPS curriculum and policies;
• Commitment to the belief that all students can learn characterized by high content and high expectations for all learners;
• Ability to use a variety of instructional and behavioral management strategies appropriate to the needs of students, and techniques integrating reading, writing, math, and technology throughout the content areas;
• Ability to self-reflect on instructional practices and personal interactions for continuous improvement;
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office and school-based staff, students, parents, and community demonstrating organizational agility;
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills;
• Commitment to children serving as an advocate, a role model, and a supporter of diversity (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, developmental differences, learning styles, and exceptionalities).