Position Summary
Situated in Encino, CA Westmark transforms the lives of around 230 students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other language-based learning differences. Westmark School is a creative and supportive, independent, college preparatory school dedicated to educating, empowering, and celebrating students with distinct learning styles, providing the tools necessary to achieve successful and fulfilling futures.
Westmark School is seeking an experienced Middle School Social Studies teacher for the 2023-24 school year. Our ideal candidate will possess a passion for teaching students, with language-based learning differences. In accordance with Westmark’s School’s mission, the successful candidate will be able to differentiate and implement instruction for a wide-range of learners while capitalizing on a student's strengths.
Essential Responsibilities:
● Teaches middle school Social Studies classes to students with learning differences.
● Planning and teaching a challenging course of study in a developmentally-appropriate manner, with an emphasis on differentiating instruction and using assessments effectively.
● Following, developing, and enhancing existing social studies curriculum, which includes engaging students in multiple modes of class activities such as in-depth investigation of a particular topic.
● Creating an inclusive classroom environment through regular class meetings, supportive exchanges with students, and clear expectations for community behavior.
● Generating lessons with multiple entry points.
● Plans and implements programs using evidence-based History curriculum and instructional strategies.
● Applies diagnostic and prescriptive data-informed instruction by using informal and formal assessment data.
● Communicates and collaborates with team members including teachers, Advisors, Division Director, Instructional Coach, parents and outside professionals.
● Works collaboratively with team members to develop individualized student intervention plans.
● Submits weekly lesson plans.
● Integrates technology into the curriculum.
● Maintains class BlackBaud pages and updates the BlackBaud gradebook weekly.
● Creates a classroom culture that encourages students to actively participate in their own learning.
● Integrates inclusive teaching practices related to diversity, equity, and multiculturalism.
● Engages and supports students of varied identities, abilities, cultures, experiences, and beliefs.
● Uses positive behavior management systems that are empowering and effective with students with language-based learning differences.
● Use restorative and trauma-informed practices within the classroom.
● Models professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, parents, peers, and the community.
● Participates in the life of the school by attending student assemblies, plays, athletic events, concerts, faculty in-service, and other school events.
● Supports and mentors a small group of students as a Middle School Advisor
● Staffing student educational trips (including overnight stay).
● Provides supervision for lunch, recess, carpool, and other duties assigned.
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in History and/or special education; teaching credential strongly preferred.
● Strong desire to teach students with language-based learning differences.
● Knowledge of multi-sensory teaching methodologies.
● Experience with technology, specifically iPads, IOS.05x Platforms, Google Suite, and SMART Technologies.
● Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
● Strong organization and time-management skills.
● Commitment to develop professionally by learning new programs and methodologies.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions for the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit in on meetings and work on a computer for long periods of time; and is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Westmark School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and job performance. School policy prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions (including genetic characteristics or information), sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, and local laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $67,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Grade school specialties:
- 6th grade
- 7th grade
- 8th grade
Physical setting:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person