High School Social Studies Teacher

High School Social Studies Teacher

American History, AP World History, and AP United States History (APUSH)

Summary of Position

The High School Social Studies Teacher shall be committed to living a biblical lifestyle and called by God to teach at Vacaville Christian Schools. This teacher instructs American History, AP World History, and AP United States History in a classroom that is Christ-centered and offers superior education academically, spiritually, and socially in a structured, positive environment.

The teacher helps students understand history as the unfolding of God's purposes through people, nations, and events. Students learn to read primary sources carefully, think critically, write with clarity, and evaluate the past through a biblical worldview. The teacher prepares students for success on the College Board AP examinations and for college-level study.

VCS exists to provide, in partnership with home and church, a distinctive, Christ-centered education in a nurturing environment which equips young people to excel in life and in service to Jesus Christ.

Teaching Duties and Responsibilities

Faith Integration and School Policy

• Integrate biblical principles and the Christian philosophy of education throughout the curriculum and activities. Help students see God's sovereignty and providence in history and evaluate historical events, ideas, and leaders through a biblical worldview.
• Comply with the Statement of Faith, Educational Philosophy and Objectives, the Christian Role Model Expectations, and the employee, staff relations, and parent handbooks, and be committed to upholding them.
• Follow school procedures and policies in administrative and educational matters set by the employer, and ensure these policies and procedures are carried out.
• Maintain a current ACSI certificate as required by accreditation. New employees apply for certification upon hire and complete all items for a clear certification, per VCS guidelines, including training in the philosophy of Christian education. A teacher without certification must work toward it according to a written plan approved by the Principal.
• Fulfill all accreditation procedures and assignments, including developing and updating the social studies scope and sequence, curriculum manuals, accreditation documentation, and ESLR collection and documentation.

Social Studies and AP Instruction

• Teach American History, AP World History, and AP United States History in alignment with California History and Social Science standards and the College Board AP Course and Exam Descriptions.
• Submit and maintain approved AP Course Audit syllabi for AP World History and AP United States History each year.
• Develop students' historical thinking skills, including sourcing and contextualizing evidence, comparison, causation, continuity and change over time, and argumentation.
• Teach and regularly practice AP exam formats, including stimulus-based multiple choice, short answer, document-based questions (DBQ), and long essay questions (LEQ). Score student writing using current College Board rubrics.
• Use AP Classroom resources, including unit progress checks and the question bank, to monitor student readiness and adjust instruction.
• Coordinate with the AP Coordinator on exam registration and exam administration, and review AP score reports each year to strengthen instruction.
• Use primary and secondary sources, maps, data, and historical documents to build reading, writing, and research skills.
• Pace instruction to complete the full AP curriculum before the May examination dates.
• Collaborate with the social studies department to vertically align courses and prepare students for success in AP coursework.

Instruction, Assessment, and Communication

• Demonstrate a commitment to excellent communication with parents and students to maintain the VCS standard of excellence in all areas of performance.
• Use technology resources proficiently, including the online assignment and grade database, AP Classroom, digital primary source collections, and classroom technology integration.
• Use homework effectively for reading, review, enrichment, writing practice, or project work.
• Assess student learning on a regular basis and provide progress reports as required.
  • Be available to parents and students who wish to conference before or after school.
  • Hold conferences with the parents of each student (1st quarter mandatory, 3rd quarter as needed).
• Maintain regular and accurate attendance and grade records that reflect each student's progress.
• Keep students, parents, and administration informed of progress or deficiencies and give early and frequent notice of failure.
• Be accountable to meet the minimum learning objectives for each course taught.
  • Plan broadly through annual goals and objectives, and currently through a weekly lesson plan schedule, along with any requested updates detailed enough to satisfy the supervising administrator and any requested copies of classroom materials.
  • Plan a program of study that engages the individual needs, interests, and abilities of students, challenging and inspiring each to do their best work.
  • Create lessons and assignments that meet students' differentiated learning needs so all students can succeed, including support for students taking a rigorous AP course for the first time.

General Duties

• Perform at least two adjunct duties and participate in the planning and leadership of extracurricular events and activities as requested. Sponsorship of a history related club or academic competition, such as Model UN, Mock Trial, or History Bowl, is encouraged.
• Plan through approved channels the balanced use of field trips, guest speakers, historical sites, museums, and other media.
• Know the procedures for emergencies and be responsible for the safety and health of students in the classroom.
• Inform administration in a timely manner if unable to fulfill any assigned duty.
• When a substitute teacher is needed, prepare adequate information and materials in a timely manner.