Middle School Drama/Speech Teacher - Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy

Little Rock School District•Little Rock, AR

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy seeks a Middle School Drama/Speech Teacher to engage students in effective hands-on communication, including drama and speech. The role involves establishing and communicating clear behavior and learning expectations, actively using music knowledge, and consistently striving to improve student performance to meet learning targets. The academy's vision is to leverage community support to provide meaningful learning experiences that equip leaders to positively impact the world. Lacey Academy offers a rigorous, structured academic setting with a rich collection of opportunities designed to equip learners with leadership tools. The school believes all students can learn and deserve a quality educational experience in a safe environment, with success as their standard. Utilizing quality, grade-level instruction and engaging experiences, the academy cultivates an environment that celebrates diverse strengths to build prepared and healthy individuals. The School Wellness Wheel framework guides the academy in addressing trauma, promoting wellbeing, and elevating learning through mastery-based learning, a growth-based educational approach, and strength-based instruction. Learners will engage in hands-on experiences, real-world investigations, and applied literacy and mathematics. Students will participate in STREAM experiences from K-8, developing 21st-century skills for problem-solving, technological literacy, and career-readiness.

Requirements

Must meet Arkansas Certification in any area grades 7-8.
Demonstrates a willingness to try new teaching and assessment strategies that would benefit all students.
Strong and effective written and oral communication skills required.
Working knowledge of current and emerging instructional technologies to support student engagement and aid in progressing towards curriculum goals.
Willingness to participate in on-going staff development.
Ability to teach to differences and sensitivity to cultural differences.
Knowledge of online database management systems.
Commitment to staff development and to apply new techniques in the classroom.
Demonstrates the conviction that all children can and will learn at Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy.
Evidence of a strong commitment to quality desegregated education.
Ability to articulate student progress clearly and frequently to students and parents.
Evidence of the ability to design and implement hands-on activities and thematic units from all content areas.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills required.
Must have the ability to work for the duration of the daily contracted time period, and to be physically present and at assigned work, with only infrequent unexcused absences, during the contract year.

Nice To Haves

ESOL endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

Embrace the K-8 school configuration and best practices with high expectations and promote student success while adopting a student-centered focus that allows students to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and academically.
Supports the vision and mission of Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy by working collaboratively with the administration and ALL staff to create a positive, safe and learner-centered environment.
Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
Assists the administration in implementing all policies and/or procedures governing student life, conduct, wellness, and academic mastery.
Plans instruction designed to promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth and development of children; formatively assesses student progress and modifies instructional techniques; plans a program of study that meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students; refers children to support services within the school community as needed.
Guides the learning process toward the achievements of curriculum goals by establishing and communicating clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects; integrates skills into units and learning centers in the classroom.
Prepares for instruction and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor; employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media to meet individual student needs and learning styles.
Implements innovative, research-based instructional strategies, assessments, techniques, programs being considered by the building and/or District; collects pertinent data and information; works with the appropriate personnel to prepare a formal narrative and statistical reports related to the effectiveness of the innovation.
Serves as a model classroom for the building and District; allows administrators, teachers, parents and others to observe in the classroom as requested; provides technical assistance, shares information and resources with other teachers and staff.
Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and developmentally appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students; encourages students to set, monitor and maintain high standards for classroom behavior; develops reasonable rules and procedures in order to maintain a classroom climate which is equitable, fair, and conducive to learning.
Maintains an inventory all equipment, furniture, and large center items; maintains a clean and orderly classroom.
Monitors individual and/or group activities to prevent accidents and promote social skills; takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, material and facilities.
Provides reasonable technical support for school-related activities (i.e. student performances, assemblies, recognitions), to include reporting, filming, capturing and archiving.
Produces regular school news to internal and external stakeholders in various formats, including social media, morning news cast, podcasts, newsletters, etc.
Makes provisions for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms; works with parents to promote cooperation, understanding of development and participation in the program; allows parents to observe their children in the classroom setting; assumes responsibility for encouraging and involving parents and community in decision making relative to the development and implementation of programs at the building level.
Promotes the community spirit of Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy by being responsible to the needs of the administration, staff, and children of the school community as appropriate; uses language that is encouraging and constructive in tone and volume when communicating with children, parents, and staff.
Meets and instructs assigned class in the location and at the times designated; works collaboratively with content and grade-level team members; attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required; makes commitment to time necessary for participating in District/school sponsored staff development.
Structures the classroom for cooperative learning activities.
Structures the learning environment to enable students to study the integrated science program outlined by the LRSD Curriculum Guides, giving preference to interdisciplinary opportunities in collaboration with other content areas.
Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests and abilities of the students, with preference given to an individualized mastery-based learning approach and implementing differentiated classroom instruction.
Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of school administration.
Employs a variety of instructional techniques, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress monitoring with regular feedback to students and reports as required.
Initiates diverse methods of engaging students using the arts to foster and employ literacy acquisition, comprehension, and appreciation.
Assists in identifying and utilizing community resources such as field trips and opportunities to engage learners in diverse communication opportunities and modalities as appropriate.
Actively improves professional competence.
Performs other duties as assigned.