Description
Junior High Mathematics and 7th grade Homeroom Teacher Job Description
Our Mission:
Dolores Mission School is a vibrant Catholic parish grade school (TK-8) committed to serving low-income families in Los Angeles. Together with the family, we strive to educate the whole child, academically, spiritually, physically, and morally, in a nurturing environment.
Our students and their families are part of a larger faith community with a rich cultural identity. As an integral part of a Jesuit parish, our goal is to empower our children to rise out of poverty by becoming educated leaders in their community, “women and men for and with others.”
About Us:
Dolores Mission Parish is a Roman Catholic Parish of the Los Angeles Archdiocese staffed by Jesuit priests for over 40 years. The parish cares for the spiritual, social, and material needs of its parishioners who come primarily from the immediate neighborhood, the poorest area of Boyle Heights. It has become known for its prophetic work among former gang members and is the birthplace of Homeboy Industries founded by Father Greg Boyle, S.J.. It continues to be known for its work for social justice on local, national, and global issues.
Dolores Mission School opened in 1950 and continues to serve the families who live in the local housing projects and the surrounding areas. Dolores Mission Church and School stand as strong pillars in the community and walk alongside the most vulnerable members of our community. In the last ten years, Dolores Mission School has become an example of a stellar inner-city school. As a Jesuit school in the Ignatian educational tradition students are taught to recognize how God is present in all things, all people, and in themselves. The academic programs of the school continue to expand and improve to serve the neediest children in our community. As a result, more students are attending college after high school. The impact of the school is creating systemic change in a community that has historically been disenfranchised.
Dolores Mission School consists of grades TK-8th and serves 195 children and 175 families. Our student population is 98% Latino and 1% African-American. More than 80% of the transitional kindergarten class is challenged with academic English vocabulary and primarily speak Spanish at home. Nearly 75% of families earn yearly incomes below $24K and 90% of students qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunch.
At the heart of every outstanding school is a strong academic curriculum. Dolores Mission School is proud of its excellent core curriculum of Social Studies, Math, Science, and Language Arts and is rounded out with rich art, music, dance, technology, gardening, and physical education programs.
Strong leadership, amazing teachers, parents, friends, and community involvement help make Dolores Mission School a wonderful place where learning happens and students excel. Strong development efforts, a supportive school board, a network of Jesuit partners, and a caring community have helped to make Dolores Mission School a model of success.
Position Summary:
- The Junior High Mathematics and 7th Grade Homeroom Teacher is a faithful Catholic and a man or woman for and with others who embodies the values of a Jesuit education and Ignatian spirituality.
- The ideal candidate should have expertise in a range of math courses such as 6th grade math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra and will be responsible for preparing lessons, grading, assessing student achievement, and communicating with administration, staff, students, and parents.
The goals for the Junior High Mathematics and 7th Grade Homeroom Teacher are as follows:
- To effectively manage a classroom of Junior High School students in grades 6 through 8th.
- To assist students in developing an understanding of mathematical concepts and skills that enable students to grow a passion for math and an appreciation for the place of math in everyday life, using Common Core standards for California.
- To provide students with the greatest possible preparation for success in high school math programs.
- To present students with experiences that promote and develop a growth mindset and to equip students to be problem solvers and have the ability to communicate and reason mathematically.
- The classroom teacher is a faculty member employed by the school to provide for the well-being of the whole child in academic, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual needs of each and every student enrolled. The expectations of this position are as follows:
A teacher/faculty member at Dolores Mission School:
- works under the direction of the principal.
- acknowledges that the School operates within the philosophy of Catholic Education and retains the right to employ individuals who demonstrate an ability to teach in accordance with this philosophy.
- understands and accepts that the values of Christian charity, temperance and tolerance apply to interactions with supervisors, colleagues, students, parents, staff and all others with whom teachers come in contact at or on behalf of the School.
- is expected to model and promote behavior in conformity to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, in both professional and private life.
- maintains a positive and professional attitude at all times.
- uses positive and supportive language to encourage and support students.
- uses a positive, respectful and appropriate tone to communicate positively and effectively with each student (as appropriate for their age level), parent, staff, administration and other personnel member.
- shall use his/her best professional efforts and skills to perform all duties in a diligent, energetic, competent, and ethical manner, consistent with the School and Archdiocesan establish policies, directives and expected practices.
- is willing to offer support in any and all necessary functions to ensure the safety, supervision and education of all students.
- executes such duties as careful preparation and planning for each class consistent with School and departmental curriculum; submission of weekly lesson plans according to the expectations and policies; engages in diligent review and evaluation of student work and related communication to students and parents; and, as needed, conferring with students, the administration, and parents regarding each student’s progress and development.
- learn and actively apply restorative justice strategies in lessons, disciplinary matters, conflict resolution, and etc. for student social and communicative development. Will also implement logical consequences designed to be restorative in line with this practice.
- informs the appropriate administration of any concerns, especially those regarding or progress and welfare of the students.
- engages in opportunities to consult, plan and learn from colleagues and administrators as well as provides support for colleagues.
- agrees to maintain the level of competency in subject matter, teaching methods, classroom management, and student supervision required by the School whether on their own initiative or at the direction of the School.
- shall attend faculty/staff meetings, conferences and professional development, including those prior to and following the School’s regular academic year, participate in School activities including School liturgical activities, as requested, and complete other duties as assigned.
- may have revised duties and job assignments during the Term to meet the School’s needs.
- In the event the School’s operations are extended by reason of fire, disaster, act of God, act of public authority or any other necessary necessity or emergency cause, teacher service may be suspended for the time period and rescheduled as needed to complete the full school year.
- understands and acknowledge that the policies do not constitute a contractual agreement with them.
- acknowledges that a copy of the parent/student handbook has been made available and that the Archdiocesan handbook is available online.
- shall be familiar with and comply with the school’s Personnel policies and procedures as they may be adopted or amended from time-to-time, including policies in the
Archdiocesan and Parent/Student handbook. - A teacher should refer to such documents for information relating to employment, duties and benefits.
- Shall comply with directives and follow expectations set forth in contract, handbooks, policies, meetings and correspondence.
- must adhere to dress code, maintaining a neat, clean and professional appearance in grooming and hygiene
- shall be familiar with, abide by, and assist and cooperate with School administration in enforcing the School’s policies for students and families whether outlined in handbooks, School policies, or other directives and expected practices.
- is consistent with his/her schedule or notifies the appropriate administrator of any anticipated conflicts/changes to the schedule (all tardy employees are required to notify the appropriate administration if there is a delay.
- must arrive in a timely manner so as to be ready to begin work at 7:30 a.m.
- should not arrive later than 7:35 a.m. without notice to the appropriate administrator. Note: arrivals after 7:35 a.m. will be considered tardy.
- must arrive to all yard, recess and miscellaneous supervisory duties, meetings and class periods on time.
- is expected to meet deadlines or communicate challenges in meeting them as soon as possible.
- is expected onsite and available to complete job duties until at least 3:30 p.m., unless required to attend, direct or participate in additional events.
- is required to be available during the week until 4 p.m. at least twice a month to continue professional development or other emergent meetings.
- can lift 10-15 pounds, stand for extended periods of time and ambulate through the school building without difficulty.
The school administration reserves the right to amend this job description for just cause.
Staff will be given notification if changes are made.
MANDATED REPORTING:
School administrators, teachers, instructional aides and classified school employees are mandated reporters. The California Penal Code requires that any mandated reporter who knows or reasonably suspects that a minor (anyone under 18 years old) has been a victim of child abuse or neglect must report the incident to a child protective agency immediately by phone and must follow up with a written or online report within 36 hours of the phone report.
Any mandated reporter in California who fails to report an instance of child abuse or neglect that he or she knows of or has reasonable suspicions about is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail, by a fine, or by both. This failure to report may subject the person to disciplinary action as an employee and may result in the loss of teaching or other professional credentials.
California law and archdiocesan policies and procedures require all statutory mandated reporters to report abuse or neglect of minors in any situation in which a minor might currently be at risk of abuse or neglect, or in which there is the possibility of prosecution, no matter how remote.
Archdiocesan policy also requires that those persons also make non-mandatory reports to the archdiocese where the victim is no longer a minor and regardless of where or when the abuse might have happened, if the alleged abuse involves past abuse by clergy, staff, or volunteers. The archdiocese includes vulnerable adults as possible victims about whom a report is to be made on the same basis as a possible minor victim.
Requirements
Application Requirement:
- Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in related field (MA in education or teaching credential preferred)
- Teaching experience and background in working with middle school students and in mathematics (preferred, but not required)
- Committed, supportive, and respectful to the mission and values of a Catholic Jesuit education.
Salary and Benefits
The annual salary will be commensurate with educational qualifications and prior experience. The salary range based on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles pay scale is between $ 46,021- $73,594, full time, exempt position.
Competitive Benefits Package
Interested applicants, please email cover letter, three references, and resume to: rbarragan@dolores-mission.org.
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.
Information/Application Contact
Dolores Mission School (Los Angeles)
170 South Gless Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
acastro@dolores-mission.org