About St. John’s

St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving up to 500 students in grades pre-k through eight. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character, and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not only as a school, but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School –understand that they impact the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments, and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community. Do you dream of becoming the best educator you can? Of coming to work each day with a sense of mastery, belonging, and purpose? Of working with fun, collegial, collaborative, growth-minded professionals? If so, you could thrive at St. John’s.

Position Purpose

This full-time position requires the teacher to multiple sections of Middle School Spanish in a 1:1 iPad environment that values project-based learning, collaboration, and differentiated instruction. The Spanish curriculum presents grammar, vocabulary, aural, oral, and written instruction and practice in ways that lead to language proficiency upon graduation. After completing Level I Spanish over the course of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, students have the potential to place into sophomore- or junior-level Spanish classes in high school.

As a member of the World Languages vertical team, the teacher will be responsible for collaborating with peers on curriculum and instruction, as well as on the progression of students’ Spanish skills from Lower to Middle School. The teacher will also be responsible for connecting with high schools to better understand the secondary school world language environments in which students will continue their study of Spanish.

In addition, the teacher serves as a Middle School co-advisor to a group of students. The co-advisor attends chapel with students, acts as their mentor, and provides organizational assistance and instruction of social and emotional learning lessons during an advisory period. The advisor works with the grade-level teaching team to plan, develop, and facilitate appropriate skills, conversations, and team-building activities for the grade. The advisor communicates regularly and as needed with parents and other teachers, conducts advisory meetings and discussion groups, and prepares for and participates in parent/student/advisor conferences.

Key Accountabilities

• Guide the development of age-appropriate written, spoken, and listening comprehension in Spanish through individual and group activities.
• Guide students through cultural explorations of countries in which Spanish is spoken.
• Cultivate culturally competent Spanish classrooms by establishing and maintaining a respectful and conscientious environment.
• Participate in continuous curriculum evaluation with grade-level and vertical peers.
• Collaborate with vertical team members to ensure Spanish curriculum continuity between Lower and Middle School and as students progress through Middle School. The vertical team monitors and advances the quality of the overall program and the progress and success of students.
• Maintain curriculum documentation in accordance with Middle School division requirements.
• Understand and meet the developmental and academic needs of Middle School students of varying academic, social and emotional abilities. Differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.
• Adapt instructional strategies to accommodate the needs of students with diagnosed learning differences according to the accommodations outlined on Student Support Plans.
• Provide feedback to students and parents using a variety of tools including progress and grade reports, in-person and video conferences, phone calls, emails, and one-on-one meetings. The teacher is expected to write thoughtful, meaningful, and well-articulated comments that reflect students’ progress and give specific direction for growth.
• Maintain daily lesson plans and effectively use the Student Information System, Learning Management System, and various other online tools. The teacher is expected to electronically record attendance, gradebooks, and reports.
• Attend and contribute to regular grade‐level, vertical, divisional, and all-employee meetings.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned, such as lunch, recess, study hall, and/or carpool duty. Participate fully in the School community through club sponsorship, coaching, event attendance, or by other means.
• Adapt curriculum and instructional modalities as necessary based on whether learning is taking place on campus, at home, or in a hybrid/blended environment. Demonstrate technical proficiency and the ability to plan, organize, teach, and communicate in person, to a blended in-person/online class, and in synchronous and asynchronous online environments.
• Assist with the planning of and participate in grade-level day and overnight trips.

Opportunities and Challenges

The Middle School Spanish teacher prepares students for the self-advocacy, stamina, and rigor required in high school world language study by teaching the importance of regular practice. The teacher helps students continue to develop effective habits, skills, and attitudes in the completion of their academic work. The teacher must:

• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty, and care.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal identity, ethos, and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.

Growth Mindset

• Collaborate with colleagues on the development of curriculum and in the practice of instructional strategies.
• Leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Student Formation Team in support of students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Pursue growth in relevant technology skills.
• Network with peers at other local and national independent and Episcopal schools.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth, including the ability to meaningfully receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to one’s professional growth.
• Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with Spanish curriculum, instructional strategies, culturally responsive instruction, and social and emotional learning.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Spanish, education, or a related field; an advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching Spanish through at least level 1 of high school.
• Written and spoken fluency in Spanish and the ability to clearly express oneself in written and spoken English as well.
• Ability to design and deliver lessons in hybrid/blended and online learning environments.
• Must meet minimum technology proficiency standards, including the ability to work in online Student Information and Learning Management Systems, to schedule and conduct classes via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and to use the Microsoft 365 suite.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time, including weeknights and weekends when required.
• Ability to work with children and adults in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to work in on-campus, home, day trip and overnight trip settings.

In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and/or any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, and financial-aid policies, and other school-administered programs.