Mathematics Teacher

The mission of The Vanguard School is to help guide students in development of their character and academic potential through academically rigorous, content-rich educational programs. 

Valuable Final Product:  Student understanding of mathematics that furthers the development of character and intellect. 

General Purpose:  The mathematics teacher is responsible for developing students’ virtue and academic excellence by creating a positive culture of inquiry and learning, and by providing students with challenging and meaningful learning activities and experiences.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Subject matter knowledge

• Basic principles and concepts related to elementary school mathematics in the areas of number sense and numeration, patterns and functions, geometry and measurement, and data analysis (with background in statistics)
• Probability and statistics
• Algebra
• Euclidean geometry
• Trigonometry
• Discrete/finite mathematics
• Introductory calculus through integration
• Abstract algebra
• Number theory
• Calculus through differential equations
• Non-Euclidean and transformational geometries
• Applied mathematics or mathematics modeling
• History of mathematics

Plans curriculum and instruction

• Draws on The Vanguard School philosophy to develop a curriculum framework to plan sequential units of study; designs individual lessons and learning activities that make learning cumulative and advance students’ level of content knowledge
• Draws on results of formal and informal assessment as well as knowledge of human development to identify teaching strategies and learning activities appropriate to the specific discipline, age, and range of cognitive levels being taught
• Identifies appropriate reading materials, other resources, writing activities, and labs for promoting further learning by a full range of students within the classroom
• Plans lessons with clear objectives and relevant, measurable outcomes
• Draws on resources from colleagues, families, and the community to enhance learning
• Incorporates appropriate technology and media when its use will improve the instruction
• Uses information in multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to plan strategies for students with disabilities

Delivers effective instruction

• Communicates high standards and expectations throughout the entire lesson
• Makes learning objectives clear to students
• Communicates clearly in writing and speaking
• Uses engaging ways to begin a new unit of study or lesson
• Builds on students’ prior knowledge and experience
• Employs a variety of content-based and content-oriented teaching techniques using teacher directed strategies and practices
• Demonstrates exceptional knowledge of and approach to the academic content of lessons
• Employs a variety of reading and writing strategies for addressing learning objectives
• Uses questioning to stimulate thinking and encourages all students to respond
• Uses instructional technology appropriately
• Assigns and checks homework or practice that furthers student learning
• Provides regular and frequent feedback to students and parents on student progress
• Provides many and varied opportunities for students to achieve mastery
• Communicates high standards and expectations when evaluating student learning; accurately measures student achievement of, and progress toward, the learning objectives with a variety of formal and informal assessments, and uses results to plan further instruction
• Translates evaluation of student work into records that accurately convey the level of student achievement to students, parents or guardians, and school personnel

Manages classroom climate and operation

• Establishes a respectful, positive environment in which students feel safe to express ideas, make mistakes, and experience success
• Creates and enforces classroom expectations and procedures necessary for an effective instructional environment
• Delivers consequences in a respectful, proportional manner that promotes student improvement and character growth
• Creates a culture for learning, develops rapport with students, and maintains awareness of student behavior
• Supports overall mission by actively enforcing school expectations inside and outside of the classroom

Promotes achievement

• Encourages all students to believe effort is a key to achievement
• Works to promote achievement by all students without exception
• Advocates for students’ academic, social, and physical needs in alignment with the mission
• Proactively supports and mentors other staff members to ensure student success
• Models leadership by bringing positive energy to the school; proactively seeks, develops, and implements solutions; and goes beyond the written duties for the good of the school

Meets professional responsibilities

• Demonstrates high ethical standards and complies with the spirit and letter of all employee and school policies
• Models and instructs virtuous character traits and promotes growth in wisdom, virtue, and compassion in self and students
• Conveys knowledge of and enthusiasm for his/her academic discipline to students
• Maintains interest in current theory, research, and developments in the academic discipline and exercises judgment in accepting implications or findings as valid for application in classroom practice
• Collaborates with colleagues to improve instruction, assessment, and student achievement
• Works actively to involve parents in their child’s academic activities and performance, and communicates clearly with them
• Reflects critically upon his/her teaching experience, identifies areas for further professional development that is linked to school goals, and is receptive to suggestions for growth
• Participates meaningfully in the school’s professional community as demonstrated by conferences, meetings, information nights, professional development, and other events to promote the school
• Positively represents the school and its mission to the students, parents, colleagues, and the general public
• Works cooperatively with school staff and administration

Other Duties and Responsibilities:  As needed or assigned

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor degree, preferably in mathematics, with at least 24 semester hours in content area