2026-2027 Elementary Teacher - 5th Grade, Watkins Elementary School

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MO

About The Position

This position provides instructional support as an elementary teacher, helping students succeed academically, develop interpersonal skills, and build daily living skills. The teacher supervises students in the classroom and other assigned areas, prepares lesson plans, and delivers group and individual instruction within established curriculum guidelines. The role collaborates with teachers, professional staff, administrators, parents, and community resources to address instructional and classroom needs, support student outcomes, and communicate about student progress.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a job-related area.
Job-related experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
Elementary 1-6 Missouri Teacher Certification.
Satisfactory results from a Criminal Background Clearance, as required by the District.
Knowledge of basic mathematics, including calculations using fractions, percentages, and ratios.
Ability to read technical information, compose documents, facilitate group discussions, analyze situations, draw conclusions, and create action plans.
Knowledge of applicable codes, policies, regulations, and laws; age-appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; child development stages; and behavioral management strategies.
Ability to perform multiple technical tasks and routinely upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions.
Skill in applying assessment instruments, operating standard office equipment and relevant software, and preparing and maintaining accurate records.
Ability to schedule activities, meetings, and events; gather, collate, and classify data; and use job-related equipment.
Ability to work with others in varied circumstances, process data using defined methods, and operate equipment according to established procedures.
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving to improve work processes.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, set priorities, meet deadlines and schedules, work with detailed information, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to set high expectations, monitor progress toward goals, and give and use feedback for continuous improvement.
Ability to work as part of a team and apply logical processes and analytical skills.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of light work, including occasionally exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds to move objects.
Required physical abilities include balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, manual dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking; the position also requires perceiving sounds, making decisions, expressing or exchanging ideas verbally, hand and finger movements, and discerning letters or numbers at a distance.

Responsibilities

Instruct students to improve academic, interpersonal, and daily living skills through a defined course of study.
Monitor students in educational environments and provide a safe, positive learning environment.
Manage student behavior to maintain a safe and optimal learning environment.
Assess student progress toward objectives, expectations, and goals, and provide feedback to students, parents, and administration.
Collaborate with instructional staff, school personnel, parents, and community resources to improve student outcomes and support classroom and school improvement objectives.
Advise parents or guardians about student progress, achievements, expectations, and ways to support improvement at home.
Administer developmental testing programs and subject-specific assessments to assess competency and develop individual learning plans.
Counsel students on performance, health status, problem-solving techniques, and personal issues.
Demonstrate methods for classroom and subject-specific assignments to address individual student requirements.
Direct student teachers, paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student workers in support of an effective classroom program and individual student needs.
Facilitate student learning through defined lesson plans.
Maintain manual and electronic documents, files, and records in accordance with administrative guidelines and legal requirements.
Participate in meetings and workshops to convey or gather information needed to perform job functions.
Prepare materials documenting student progress and meeting mandated requirements.
Report health and safety issues to the assigned administrator and appropriate agencies.
Respond to emergency situations by resolving immediate safety concerns or directing them to appropriate personnel.
Respond to inquiries from a variety of sources by resolving issues or providing information and direction.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned.