Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School
Minds in Motion
Brett Kimmel, Principal
SCHOOL NAME: Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School
Grades: 6-9 in 2008-2009; reaching 6th-12th grade capacity in 2011-2012
School Site: 511 West 182nd Street, Room 419, New York, NY 10033
Send Cover Letter and resume to:
Deadline to apply: TBD
POSITIONS:
Subject to sufficient budget, positions in the school may include, but not be limited to, the following licenses:
- Teachers of secondary English, mathematics, social studies, science, Special Education, ESL, Spanish, PE/Health, Art and / or Technology
DESCRIPTION:
We are an Expeditionary Learning (EL) school rooted in quality teaching and learning as a means to ensure that all students are prepared to embark on college careers. We organize our curriculum around learning expeditions: collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork are integral in our design. We demand and support active pedagogy. We have created a school culture that ensures equity and high expectations; fosters a safe, respectful and orderly community; promotes adventure; develops our professional community; and engages families in the life of the school. We believe in shared and distributed leadership. Class size is small to provide maximum attention to individual student needs. Crew advisory groups enable us to work closely within our school community, building relationships that will enhance our growth as responsible members of our community. Our school is structured to reflect these core values. Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) staff benefit from the EL partnership by receiving high-quality professional development from a nationally recognized educational organization. WHEELS teachers participate fully in the integration of the EL core practices into the framework of the school. Based on the 2007 New York City School Progress Reports, our school is the fourth highest rated middle school in the City.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
· New York State and New York City certification in the appropriate secondary level content area, with satisfactory ratings.
· Certification in TESOL and / or special education a plus.
DUTIES AND RESONSIBILITIES
· All teachers teach reading across the disciplines. Reading is taught across all content areas because each subject area requires students to learn from written materials and requires different kinds of texts (e.g., primary sources in social studies).
· All teachers teach writing across the disciplines. Students in EL schools write for various purposes and audiences and across all areas of the curriculum. Students do their best writing when they care about the topic, purpose and audience. In our school, teachers use learning expeditions and projects, problem-based content and interactive instructional practices to foster inquiry.
Responsibilities include:
· Designing and implementing curriculum that meets the city / state standards and incorporates hands-on activities rooted in Expeditionary Learning principles;
· Incorporating a variety of teaching strategies in their professional practice, including differentiated instruction to meet the needs of individual learning styles;
· Working cooperatively within a non-traditional school schedule and organizational structure;
· Collaborating with colleagues in study groups around instructional initiatives and learning expeditions;
· Participating in on- and off-site staff development opportunities during the summer and the academic year, including reflective practice and peer coaching (Advance notice of the dates will be supplied, and those who attend will be compensated according to the terms of the UFT contract. Teacher participation in the activities is voluntary, but strongly encouraged, as the activities are very important for the development of the school);
· Serving as advisor to a small group of students, supervising their service learning, internship and expeditionary learning experiences and acting as a liaison between school and family;
· Team teaching and planning with colleagues as useful;
· Maintaining a strong work ethic and a willingness to assume a variety of roles;
· Working with a Mentor teacher, to ensure understanding and implementation of common policies, procedures and expectations
· Developing an understanding of and enthusiasm for the school’s mission.
SELECTION CRITERIA
· Evidence of capacity and willingness to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities.
· Interview in which the applicant must present a cover letter and a resume along with a teaching portfolio including:
o A statement of purpose which includes your educational philosophy and why you teach;
o A long term plan and / or a unit plan;
o Lesson plan(s);
o Teaching artifacts (student work, images of student work and presentations, curriculum development strategies and anything else that represents your professional practice).
· A demonstration lesson.
· Comfort with interdisciplinary planning and implementation of interdisciplinary curriculum.
· Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents, students, etc.
· Excellent classroom management skills.
· Exemplary professional record, including a satisfactory record of attendance and punctuality.
· Applicants must provide references (including those from current and / or former supervisors).
· Optional: Additional references, including those from former colleagues, students, families.
WORK SALARY
As per the United Federation of Teachers’ collective bargaining agreement.
511 West 182nd Street ∙ New York, New York ∙ 10033 ∙ 212-781-0524 (p) ∙ 212-781-0742 (f)