Math Teacher-Long Term Substitute (2024-2025 SY)

Department: Mathematics Job Title: Mathematics Teacher FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Non-exempt) Exempt; Unit A Reports To: Mathematics Department Head/ Principal

Summary

In compliance with state and federal laws, newton public schools is committed to equity, anti-racism and a nondiscrimination policy for students, employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individual’s qualifications and achievements without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, homelessness, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute. Summary:

The Mathematics Teacher has direct and primary responsibility for planning and teaching 4 mathematics classes each meeting 4 times per week (3 55-minute and 1 75-minute block for each class, every week). The position involves the implementation of all aspects of unit and lesson design (planning), lesson delivery (instruction), assessment and analysis of student progress, and communication with the adults in the lives of students (parents, guidance counselors, administrators, and support faculty).

Mathematics teachers are expected to follow a prescribed course outline maintaining an appropriate pace to prepare students for departmental midyear and final exams. Knowledge of state and national standards along with the integration of these standards into unit and lesson design is expected. The mathematics teacher should be content experts in the high school curriculum and have strong familiarity with the mathematics required beyond high school (e.g., in college course, for making life decisions, etc.).

The primary responsibility of the mathematics teacher is lesson delivery. This involves the implementation of lessons designed to help students learn both the skills and concepts present in the curriculum. Knowledge of the development needs of students, creativity in building lesson activities, familiarity with the use of visual aides, clarity of explanations, ability to find and use multiple resources (from other teachers, from a variety of textbooks, etc.) and the use of technology to enhance student learning are necessary. The teacher should be familiar with and able to implement appropriate instructional approaches including direct instruction, group learning, student exploration, etc.). The ability to manage a class including the minute-by-minute timing of a lesson and the setting and maintaining of expectations for student behavior is required. A teacher must also be able to assist students in learning how to “be a student” including managing time, organizing work, come to class with materials, and studying for exams.

The Mathematics Teacher is expected to have knowledge of learning disabilities and how they may impact a student’s ability to learn mathematics. The teacher is responsible for implementing accommodations and modifications needed to help a student access and learn course content. This includes participation in team meetings to help develop education plans that will best serve the learning needs of students.

This position is also responsible for designing and implementing assessments that determine a student’s progress in learning skills and concepts. Assessments must also be used to help diagnose student difficulties and provide appropriate remediation and/or adjustment to teaching practice. Assessing student progress includes the use of formative and summative assessment, and the reporting of assessment results to students, families, and other faculty as appropriate to best support student learning.

Strong communication skills are a requirement. The Mathematics Teacher needs to remain in regular contact (through face-to-face meetings, e-mail, by phone, and, occasionally in writing) with parents/guardians regarding student progress communication information about behavior of students, academic performance, and other issues as they arise on a daily basis. The Mathematics Teacher must also be able to communicate and collaborate with colleagues in all of the areas described above. Teachers are expected to work in teams to build curriculum and improve instructional practice. Continuing professional development for the improvement of practice and content knowledge is expected.

Teachers must possess strong interpersonal skills, a desire to work with high school aged students, flexibility to deal with the unexpected, and willingness to accept and act upon critical feedback. The position requires the ability to communicate verbally and visually. Must have expertise in the use of a computer (Microsoft Office, an equation editor, geometry software, etc.) to develop and adapt documents and materials for use in the classroom.

Full-time teachers are assigned 6 semester-length duties throughout the year with one of those duties assigned as an advisory teacher. Advisory teachers are expected to help students form positive and appropriate relationships with each other and with the teacher. Advisory teachers help students navigate the school environment while working through academic and social issues. Furthermore, advisory teachers are responsible for implementing the state mandated anti-bullying curriculum. A full-time teacher also staffs two “J-Block” after school help sessions per week to provide students with assistance outside of the classroom

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics or a closely related field that includes advanced coursework in mathematics
• Massachusetts Mathematics Teaching License (9-12)
• Completion of a student teaching experience
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education
• At least one year of teaching experience beyond student teaching
• Will also teach computer science for this position as well*
  
  

Essential Job Duties And Responsibilities (Not Limited To)

• Prepare and deliver instructional lessons using a wide-variety of techniques
• Prepare and deliver instructional lessons that assist students in successfully learning course content
• Make in the moment decisions based on assessment of student academic and social needs
• Design, administer and grade assessments
• Track student progress in learning course objectives
• Communicate verbally (in person and by phone) and in writing (via email or other means) with parents/guardians/other faculty regarding the progress, behavior and attendance of students
• Use a computer and other technology to support student learning in and out of the classroom (this may include maintaining an informational website for students and families)
• Implement accommodations and curricular modifications as specified in educational plans (IEPs) and as needed to meet the learning needs of students
• Provide students with support (remediation and enrichment) using a variety of strategies
• Research and learn new and innovative ways to approach classroom content in the classroom
• Collaborate with colleagues on curriculum, lesson and assessment design
• Supervise students in class and during study halls
• Use an online system to record student attendance, midterm comments, term grades, and end of year grades
• Distribute textbooks and use an online database to track student textbooks
• Assist with the administration of school and state exams including midyear and final exams, MCAS, and others as needed
• Participate actively in faculty, department and team meetings
• Set professional development goals, develop professional development plans, and participate in professional development activities that improve teaching practice
• Consistent, reliable and punctual attendance is essential for supervision and instruction of the students
• Responsible for implementing “other job related duties” as needed.
  
  

Work Environment

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Work is generally performed in a school environment during the school day, however there may be occasions for afterschool meetings (ex: Back to School Night). Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function. Rarely absent or late unless the situation is of an emergency nature.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the teacher is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear. The teacher is regularly required to bend, stoop, crouch and/or kneel.
• Regularly required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
  
  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.