Upper School English Teacher

Kingdom Preparatory Academy • Lubbock, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to educate upper school students (6 th through 12 th grades) using classical methods and a biblical worldview in order to prepare students with excellence to diligently pursue God’s truth, knowledge and wisdom in order to winsomely and persuasively communicate their thoughts both orally and in writing. The Upper School Teacher provides instruction in an educational environment where students defend a love for God’s created order as they explain the truth, goodness, and beauty of His world through methods consistent with the classical approach to learning. The focus here is on teaching students how to form clear, eloquent arguments, and to communicate and defend these ideas via a written and oral thesis at the end of the senior year. Accordingly, most classes are discussion-based with an emphasis on sound logical and rhetorical principles across all disciplines. The Upper School Teacher will lead, instruct, disciple, and mentor students in a manner consistent with the School’s Statement of Faith and the Portrait of a KPA Teacher. The teacher will purposefully partner with parents in the education and spiritual development of their children. The Upper School Teacher will partner collegially with other School employees and will actively pursue intellectual and professional development.

Requirements

• be committed Christ-followers who are in agreement with the school’s statement of faith ( https://www.kingdomprep.org/about-kpa/mission-vision-statement-of-faith )
• be committed to the school’s educational philosophy ( https://www.kingdomprep.org/about-kpa/distinctives ) (classical methods of instruction, integrating Biblical worldview throughout the curriculum, etc.)
• be knowledgeable in their subject area
• strive to be a person of virtuous character
• A disciple of Jesus Christ and as such, one who models a love for God through obedience to His Word; such obedience is evidenced through convictions, lifestyle, and worldview
• A full and unreserved supporter of KPA’s Statement of Faith, Mission, and Vision
• A mentor of students, who is comfortable in working with teenagers in a discipleship-oriented setting
• A love for working with middle and high school students and the ability to see what others may perceive as challenges of the age group as opportunities for ministry
• A holder of a Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent)
• Exhibit consistent spiritual maturity
• Exercise wisdom, diplomacy, and integrity while maintaining a high level of professionalism with all parties involved
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality in all matters relating to students, families, and fellow employees
• Ability to supervise and motivate students, employees, and volunteers
• Demonstrate commitment to the well-being of others
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Apply behavioral and academic standards justly with patience and consistency
• Take independent action where required and handle unique problems
• Understand, interpret, and apply all KPA policies, procedures, and regulations affecting school operations and programs with fairness and equity
• Make decisions in emergency situations with or without the input of the Upper School Head
• Operating a computer with proficiency in email, Renweb/FACTS, and word processing
• Regular walking with ability to observe student movements at various campus locations
• Close visual acuity for viewing a computer monitor, preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and reading
• Hearing: ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction
• Speaking: expressing ideas by means of the spoken word to convey instructions to students, parents, and other employees
• Occasional lifting of 5 to 20 pounds
• Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting as needed for monitoring students and maintaining classroom
• Maintain emotional control under stress

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and experience with the philosophy of classical Christian education
• Post-graduate degree

Responsibilities

• Study the Bible, God’s only written Word
• Skillfully articulate and exhibit the personal/ethical implications of a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus Christ faithfully
• Measure knowledge against the standard of God’s revealed truth in Scripture
• Demonstrate an overt commitment to the life of a church and its core traditions
• Respect the School’s Christian mission and values, and aid students in Christian formation by modeling Christian living, both in and out of the classroom
• Be a positive role model for students by supporting the School’s Statement of Faith and exemplifying KPA’s Portrait of a Teacher
• Perform duties as a minister and steward of the Christian faith
• Demonstrate understanding of pedagogical knowledge, skills and objectives in a classical, Christian school
• Establish a classroom environment that follows the classical methodology with a biblical worldview
• Implement the approved educational program
• Develop, maintain and implement lesson plans, learning activities, schedules, etc. that fulfill the requirements of the School’s curriculum program and show written evidence of preparation, as required
• With Upper School Head approval, review, revise and write a syllabus and curriculum, modifying plans based on student progress and assessment
• Meet all FACTS/Renweb entry deadlines for lesson plans and homework and update as needed
• Establish clearly articulated standards for student academic performance
• Convey information to students using a variety of modalities, e.g., auditory, visual, demonstrations, discovery, etc.
• Use clear language and appropriate vocabulary, integrating new vocabulary within existing shared framework
• Deliberately articulate how all subjects are interrelated, as parts of God’s integrated universe
• Provide just, reliable, understandable grade/reward structures
• Schedule and assign instructional activities, providing timely feedback on the results
• Assess students’ learning and monitor students' academic progress and personal growth toward stated objectives of instruction
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student achievement through formal and informal testing
• Explain to students the grades received and ensure understanding of how improvement might be possible
• Provide private and public positive reinforcement for individual and group successes
• Maintain student learning results by providing instructional feedback, reviews, coaching, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, etc.
• Maintain records of students' educational progress by documenting accomplishments, attendance and behavior using FACTS/Renweb
• Understand, embrace, interpret and apply KPA School policies, procedures, and regulations affecting School operations and programs in accordance with the Upper School culture
• Establish, articulate and maintain standards of student behavior to achieve a classroom climate conducive to learning and respect
• Maintain personal classroom practices and deportment that foster an atmosphere of support and predictability for the students
• Create classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students
• Maintain a safe, organized, clean, and stimulating environment in the classroom
• Manage student behavior in accordance with the Upper School Handbook
• Understand and implement the demerit and House Point systems
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Prioritize tasks, including non-urgent, but important matters
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required
• Know and understand safety procedures including training in first aid and CPR
• Establish meaningful emotional/psychological engagement with students, finding creative and appropriate ways to be involved in students’ outside-the-class lives without compromising privacy
• Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with parents, students, colleagues, and community members
• Maintain godly relationships with parents, other staff members and the community
• Communicate proactively with parents through email, notes, phone calls, and conferences to inform them about School programs and/or to discuss student progress
• Support parents by providing academic information, suggesting available educational and social resources, addressing concerns, and answering questions and requests with the Upper School Head input and support
• Demonstrate commitment and loyalty to KPA and the Christian education profession through speech, punctuality, dress, attitude, and detailed attention to duties
• Present a consistent and reliable demeanor to students
• Promote and exhibit servant leadership alongside teammates in advancing KPA’s mission and vision
• Accept constructive feedback to affect personal and professional growth
• Grow and maintain professional competence and continuous improvement through active participation in professional development activities and/or professional organizations
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and staff development activities
• Comply with all policies and procedures in the KPA Staff Handbook
• Perform other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers