9th Grade Biology Teacher, Larchmont Charter School

ORGANIZATION:             Larchmont Charter School, Inc.

POSITION:                         9th Grade Biology Teacher, Larchmont Charter School

LOCATION:                         Los Angeles, CA

Reports to:                         Head of Middle School

School Year:                         2012-2013

BACKGROUND ON THE LARCHMONT SCHOOLS

Larchmont Schools was founded in 2005 in Los Angeles, California by a dedicated group of parents who were inspired to create an academically rigorous and diverse neighborhood school.  Since then, we have grown into a network of two schools serving nearly 900 students through K-8 Larchmont Charter School and K-6 Larchmont Charter School-West Hollywood. The Larchmont Schools network is the highest performing small charter network in Los Angeles. With a student population reaching 40% free and reduced lunch eligible and 50% children of color, Larchmont Schools are some of the most diverse public schools in the city. Both schools rank among the top 30 highest performing public schools in Los Angeles. Adding grade levels every year, by the fall of 2016, Larchmont Schools will be a K-12 charter network with nearly 1,750 students and an annual budget exceeding $15 million.

The mission of Larchmont Schools is to provide a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students with an exceptional public education. We foster creativity and academic excellence; our students learn with and from each other in an experience-centered, inquiry-based learning environment. With participation from our entire community, including strong parental involvement, we strive to instill in each student a dedication to improving the world we inhabit. 

Larchmont Schools utilizes the constructivist teaching methodology, which centers on project-based learning and theme building lessons.  By demonstrating that schools can be simultaneously public, open to all, diverse, and high performing, Larchmont Schools can challenge more schools to be created that are both high quality and serve a student population that mirrors the diversity of our community, our city, and our country.

BACKGROUND ON LARCHMONT CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

In Fall 2012, Larchmont Charter School will open its doors to its first class of 9th graders.  Adding a grade level every year, we plan to have a 500 student high school graduating its first class in the spring of 2016.  We aim to have 100% of our graduates accepted into the top 100 colleges in America and be prepared to serve as independent learners and leaders in college and in life.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Larchmont Charter School seeks to hire a results-oriented proven instructional leader to serve as a founding high school Biology teacher and contribute to building on the success of our K-8 constructivist model and lead the development of one of the highest performing high schools (public or private) in Los Angeles.  Teachers report directly to the Head of Middle of Larchmont Charter School and are responsible and accountable for the schools’ overall performance, long-term sustainability and success in fulfilling its mission.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Lead a group of students to rigorous and measureable academic outcomes by

o   Contributing to the design of a rigorous, project-based biology curriculum with a focus on social justice  

o   Planning, preparing, and implementing engaging learning plans that utilize a wide variety of instructional strategies

o   Differentiating teaching based on the diverse and individual needs of all students

o   Maintaining high expectations for students’ learning and overall conduct

o   Developing and administering a variety of assessments to measure students’ growth towards goals and monitor students’ mastery of the content standards

o   Participating regularly in professional development and reflecting on teaching practice

o   Communicating and building positive relationships with students, families, colleagues and other stakeholders

o   Using multiple student learning outcomes to inform learning progress and instructional practices

o   Adhering to school policies, procedures and deadlines

o   Maintaining detailed documentation to create consistent and meaningful communication with parents and a wide variety of strategies designed to promote academic success for all students.

o   Maintaining coherent plans for classroom discipline and keep clear and specific documentation of all intervention taken to correct student behavior.

o   Maintaining high quality records for attendance, coursework, and to submit completed report cards and school-wide benchmark data in a timely manner.

o   Taking responsibility for personal professional growth.  Evidence of growth will be a required part of the teacher evaluation process in the framework of year-long goals.

o   Taking responsibility for all other tasks related to improving student learning and offering powerful learning opportunities.

o   Performing other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Must possess Single Subject Biological Science California Teaching Credentials.

·       Must meet NCLB requirements for High School Biology/Science teachers.

·       Applicants who DO NOT have any one of the qualifications will NOT be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Minimum of three years of successful, full-time teaching experience.

·       Demonstrated track record of student achievement.

·       Passion for working with a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students and family members.

·       Provide examples of a successful curriculum development and implementation consistent with a constructivist philosophy of education.

·       Demonstrate an ability to work in collaboration with other staff and faculty members.

APPLY NOW

·       Submit a resume, a 1-page philosophy of education statement, and contact information for three professional references to:  LCSjobs@larchmontcharter.org.

o   Professional references should be able to speak to the following:

§  Ability to work with parents

§  Leading student learning

§  Building strong relationships within the classroom setting

§  Contributing to a professional team

·       Application deadline is until filled.  Consideration will be given to candidates as soon as applications are submitted.

·       Please do not call about these positions.  All inquiries should be submitted to LCSjobs@larchmontcharter.org.

Larchmont Charter School, Inc. is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age over 40, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law.  Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process should indicate during the time of submitting an application or prior to the interview so that we can make proper arrangements.  It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.