TITLE: Elementary School Teacher
FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Building Principal
WORK YEAR: 180 days
SUMMARY
The elementary teacher designs and implements District-approved educational curriculum in one or more academic subjects appropriate for students in grades PREK-5 and provides a positive, safe, and academically challenging learning environment for all students.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
● Supervises the behavior of all students in the classroom, throughout school grounds, and on educational trips.
● Supervises, directs, and supports volunteers and paraprofessionals in the classroom.
Provides feedback to building administrator(s) regarding any performance concerns.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
● Plans, develops, and implements an engaging, age-appropriate course of study in the
classroom including activities that require higher levels of thinking, adhering to
educational best practices and state and school district curriculum guidelines.
● Revises plans on an ongoing basis, considering student needs, ability levels, and
interests.
● Designs and presents differentiated instruction in one or more academic subjects using a variety of teaching techniques that appeal to various learning styles and methods.
● Develops and maintains a plan to assess whether presented material is understood
using a variety of assessment techniques; uses the results to modify future instruction.
● Prepares materials for lessons, assignments, and tests; uses a wide variety of oral and
written techniques; evaluates, corrects, and grades student performance.
● Establishes an environment enabling students to work without being disturbed by others;
provides opportunities for each pupil to participate in a given activity.
● Moves about during lessons to establish, maintain, or re-establish pupil involvement.
● Uses technology suitable to the instructional goals to facilitate student engagement.
● Achieves a balance of teacher-centered and student-centered activities appropriate to
the grade level and subject matter being taught.
● Facilitates a smooth transition from one activity to another by individuals or groups.
● Discusses academic difficulties or behavioral problems with students as they arise.
● Monitors student progress throughout the year and evaluates preparedness for high
school.
● Communicates all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents and,
as appropriate, other faculty, staff, and/or principal.
● Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents.
● Enforces safety and security standards for students, staff, and visitors.
● Handles classroom problems and seeks supportive help as warranted.
● Maintains required paperwork for individual student files, attendance and incident
reports, and other necessary records.
● Monitors halls, study periods, and lunchrooms with other faculty and staff.
● Participates in faculty meetings, educational conferences, in-service opportunities,
workshops, and other training seminars.
● Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices in elementary
education and in all taught academic subjects.
● Provides clear plans for a substitute teacher and has a substitute folder available with
appropriate artifacts.
● Performs related tasks such as sponsoring student activities or organizations.
● Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES
● Thorough understanding of pedagogy and the best practices of education.
● Desire to teach elementary school-aged children and ability to adapt to their
developmental status.
● Ability to design lessons that teach curriculum in an engaging manner, applying various
teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and individual or
collaborative projects and research.
● Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage the classroom.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and tact in
high-stress situations.
● Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
● Creative analytical and problem-solving skills.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Mental Demands: frequently changes priorities quickly; ability to manage stress with multiple interruptions and distractions; analyzing; organizing; evaluating; planning; ability to redefine and clarify instructions; frequent presenting
Physical Demands: ability to operate standard office equipment, keyboards, and
subject-specific equipment; combination of sedentary and non-sedentary duties; manual
dexterity including fine manipulation for writing and typing; prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer or standing to teach; close visual acuity; frequent walking;
occasional bending, bending, stooping, and standing; occasionally lifting and carrying 5-15
pounds; ability to read and write; ability to speak and understand the English language
Environmental Conditions: primarily indoor work in an educational setting; minimal exposure to weather conditions; working primarily independently; occasional exposure to excessive noise; occasional field trips; occasional evening events
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
● Bachelor’s Degree in Education
● Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with content-specific endorsement(s)
for Grades K-5 OR Early Childhood Education
● Ability to pass a criminal fingerprint background check
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
● Master’s Degree in Education
● Previous teaching experience with middle-school aged students
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and work year in accordance with the Ball-Chatham Education Association (BCEA)
contract.
EEO STATEMENT
Ball-Chatham provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of their race; color; creed; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; age; ancestry; marital status; arrest record; military status; order of protection status; unfavorable military discharge; citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States; use of lawful products while not at work; being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or gender violence; genetic information; physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; credit history, unless a satisfactory credit history is an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular position; or other legally protected categories.
