FY 26-27 MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER

JOB TITLE: Middle School Science Teacher

STATUS: Full Time, Exempt

REPORTS TO: Site Director/Coordinator

***$10,000 Hard-to-Fill stipend for qualifying new hires***

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center (“Vaughn”), located in Pacoima, is a large urban public school within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Since the early 1970s, low student achievement had been a pattern. In 1993, tired of being helpless and hopeless, Vaughn became the first conversion charter school in the nation and was authorized by LAUSD. The charter was renewed most recently in 2018. Vaughn has over 25 years of experience as a successful independent charter school serving the district’s low-income students. This previously failing elementary public school is now a full-service, community-based, K-12th charter school that assures all students are college/career ready, digitally literate, and globally competent.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Middle School Science Teacher delivers standards-aligned, engaging instruction based on the Common Core State Science Standards and NGSS, using diverse strategies to meet the needs of all learners. Under the direction of the Site Director/Coordinator, the teacher creates a safe, structured, and inclusive classroom environment that promotes active learning, positive behavior, and high expectations for student achievement.

The teacher plans and implements effective lessons, uses performance-based assessment, maintains accurate records, and communicates regularly with students, families, and staff regarding progress. This role includes collaboration with colleagues and participation in SSPT, 504, and IEP meetings, professional development, and school-wide initiatives.

A successful candidate demonstrates strong communication skills, a commitment to student success, and alignment with the mission and values of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the direction of the Administrator/Coordinator, the duties include, but are not limited to:
• Provide effective classroom instruction by integrating the Common Core State Science Standards (including NGSS) appropriate to the subject matter
• Provide content-related and appropriate instruction to students in a diversified manner
• Provide a classroom environment which promotes active learning in science
• Plan and implement lessons in Middle School Science content areas
• Exhibit knowledge of performance-based instruction and assessment
• Prepare lessons in instructional formats that accommodate differences in individual student needs
• Maintain an up-to-date online gradebook with feedback for students on progress
• Account for student attendance and punctuality
• Establish positive guidance techniques rather than negative methods to correct and influence student behavior
• Collaborate with peers and support staff
• Create an effective environment for learning
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior needed to achieve an effective learning environment in the classroom.
• Utilize different instructional strategies to meet the needs of a wide variety of students
• Maintain a safe, nurturing, and structured classroom environment
• Have a working knowledge of basic computer applications, interactive boards and technology available in the classroom
• Participate in department level meetings
• Participate in the School's Professional Learning Community (PLC) process
• Participate in staff development
• Engage in Governing Committees
• Participate in SST, 504, and IEP meetings
• Communicate with support staff, administrators, team teachers and parents about student progress
• Complete and update paperwork to ensure that student records are current
• Work beyond the parameters of a regular school day to assure the success of the program
• Desire to work closely with students, colleagues and community in modeling and teaching the values of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
• Maintain appropriate records of student progress and other school records

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Possess a work ethic and personal belief system that aligns with the mission and vision of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact and forge relationships with students, parents, staff and community members
• Extremely high standards for student achievement
• Demonstrated relentlessness to meet organizational goals
• Self-directed with the ability to work both autonomously and in teams
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required