Lead Teacher - Elementary

Waterloo Community School District•Waterloo, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The lead teacher is responsible for providing overall instructional leadership to build the capacity of teachers and PLC teams, support professional growth, and meet the learning needs of all students in regard to specific content areas (i.e. literacy, math, science, special education, technology, ELL, etc.) and overall instructional pedagogy. The lead teacher directly works with the building principal in overseeing the daily operations of the school. They are responsible for guiding the school’s PBIS plan and for helping to improve the building’s climate and culture. Lead teachers assist in coordinating new teacher mentoring and career teachers needing additional support and collaborate with teacher leaders and mentors in providing needed support through observation and feedback using technology tools, face-to-face dialogue and coaching cycles. The lead teacher collaboratively plans and implements professional development; provides leadership for PLCs; and collaboratively plans with principal and instructional coaches to implement school improvement process. The lead teacher assists with data collection, response to data, communicating data results, and implementing action steps as a result of the data. The lead teacher also assists with planning learning interventions in MTSS.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education
Master’s degree in Principalship/Administration (or currently working towards)
Iowa teaching certification PK -12 Principal/PK – 12 Special Education Supervisor and Evaluator (New) certification or able to obtain certification within two years of hire date
Five (5) or more years of successful classroom teaching experience (elementary preferred)
Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing Iowa Core instruction, effective instructional strategies, assessment and methods that improve student achievement in the classroom
Ability to implement innovative teaching methodologies
Sound knowledge of Iowa Core and Waterloo Community Schools District curriculum and initiatives
Ability to collaborate with colleagues, including experience in leading/facilitating committees, teams, and/or projects
Ability to maintain confidential relationships with administrators and teachers
Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional growth and learning within a community of practice
Understanding of classroom observation and feedback principles and processes
Willingness to engage in formative assessment processes, including non-evaluative, reflective conversations with teachers using evidence of classroom practice and student learning
Evidence of excellent oral, written and technology skills
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
Proficiency in maintaining and managing regular communication and documentation
Belief in the potential of teachers and schools to effect change in the academic lives of students
Capacity to accurately gather evidence/data during classroom observations using a teaching rubric and/or technology tool
Ability to organize, analyze, and respond to data (formative, interim, benchmark, standardized) that informs instructional decisions
Assist in identifying, acquiring, and organizing resources to support student learning
Excellent record of attendance
Willingness to commit to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, flexibility, and responsiveness
Embrace the spirit of collaboration and contribute to the ongoing improvement of student learning
Basic computer skills (computer navigation, email, web browser, Employee Portal)
Intermediate computer skills (Google Suites, search function, student information systems, basis promethean)
High computer skills (familiarity with Education Tech Tools, Informational systems specific to position)
Ability to reach all skill levels listed if not already acquired

Nice To Haves

Completion of graduate work in curriculum and instruction and evidence of implementation
Experience related to adult learning (coaching, professional development, mentoring, teaching)

Responsibilities

Assist the principal in all aspects of instructional leadership of the building
Assist the principal in the day-to-day operations of the building
Conduct regular observation and feedback cycles of staff, as per the district expectations, giving regular feedback to build teacher capacity
Support the rollout and implementation of district initiatives.
Help to facilitate data teams/PLCs for the building, preparing appropriate data, to build teacher capacity around the 3 big ideas and 4 critical questions of PLCs.
Assist the principal with the district’s PBIS model including; implementing the model itself, helping to develop a plan to reduce referrals while improving the school’s climate and culture, building teacher capacity for moving extrinsic motivators to intrinsic motivation.
Assist with professional learning and implementation regarding Iowa Core, instructional strategies, lesson planning, analyzing student work, differentiating instruction, integrating technology with instructional strategies, classroom management, etc.
Establish and maintain a trusting, confidential and non-evaluative relationship with teachers to help develop their autonomy as professionals
Collaboratively plan with principal, administrative staff and teacher leaders to implement the school improvement process and provide professional development
Assist staff with the gathering, examination, analysis, and response to formative and summative data
Use data to identify learning concerns and provide interventions and extensions for individual students and groups of students in a multi-tiered system of supports.
Assist teachers in reflecting on and analyzing their practice, reviewing student work and using relevant data to inform instruction
Incorporate technology to advance both teacher learning and classroom practice
Organize and plan short and long range goals and coordinate efforts for timely accomplishment of those goals
Collaborate with building and district leadership personnel to ensure coherence between instructional coaching activities and school/district expectations
Fully participate in lead teacher professional development, such as academies, coach forums, peer coaching partnerships, professional learning teams and other area, team, and committee meetings
Commit to growth along a continuum (standards) and engage in goal setting and reflection
Keep current on researched based instructional strategies and best practices with an emphasis on student engagement and learning
Maintain and submit required documentation
Complete other duties as assigned