GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: FLSA:  Exempt

Supports District schools and principals in their effort to foster an optimal educational environment for students. To lead identified gifted students toward the fulfillment of their potential by developing problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and cooperation.

MAJOR TASKS:

Instructional

• Plans and implements Problem Based Learning projects for the Gifted Program while meeting the individual needs, interests, and abilities of students identified as gifted.
• Continually evaluates and sustains the Gifted Program.
• Uses effective teaching techniques, materials, and technology to implement Problem based curriculum goals and objectives and uses techniques and materials that motivate the desire to learn.
• Recommends the selection of materials and applications for the Gifted Program.
• Prepares a weekly written lesson plan describing daily learning experiences. This weekly lesson plan is to be correlated with the aims and/or objectives of the Gifted Program.
• Monitors and assesses student progress and communicates the same on a regular basis to students and their parents.
• Diagnoses, instructs and evaluates specific student needs and seeks assistance of district specialist as required.
• Communicates with parents, teachers, administrative staff, transportation and students on a regular basis, including hosting informational meetings.
• Communicates aims and/or objectives to students in a well-planned, organized manner using clear and precise language.

Climate

• Creates a classroom environment that is cognizant of the dignity of the teacher, students and other staff.
• Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing the development of proper student behavior.
• Develops and implements reasonable classroom rules of behavior and procedure which are conducive to learning in a fair and just manner.

Student Relationships

• Creates educational experiences that provide each student the opportunity to develop his/her potential in the areas of personal-social adjustment, decision-making, positive self-image and other life skills.

Professional

• Promotes and follows the adopted school district philosophy, policies, regulations and administrative procedures.
• Communicates concerns and ideas with colleagues, students, parents and community in a positive, professional and ethical manner.
• Opens lines of communication with students and parents on the academics and behavioral processes of students.
• Assumes legal responsibility for the supervision of students on school property or in attendance at school sponsored activities.
• Maintains and strives to improve professional competence.
• Assumes individual responsibilities which may be assigned by the principal/supervisor and which may relate to committee work, student activities, student supervision or other planning and professional assignments.
• Maintains accurate, complete, legible and correct records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulation.
• Takes necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Cooperates with other members of the staff in planning instructional goals, objectives, teaching methods, and in selecting materials.
• Plans and supervises assignments and activities for teacher assistant or volunteer.
• Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.
• Performs other related duties as may be assigned.
• Treats the public courteously.
• Is alert to hazardous or dangerous conditions that could threaten the safety of students and staff.

Personal

• Maintains consistent and punctual attendance.
• Conducts one’s self in a businesslike and/or task oriented manner.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the regular instructional day when such encounters are required or requested under reasonable terms.
• Good employee as well as an effective teacher.
• Maintains a positive solution seeking manner in actions with others and is efficient and effective in duties despite stressful and/or contentious situations.
• Must be able to work effectively with people, individually and in groups, must be able to provide cooperation with groups, work through disputes and develop consensus.
• Must be alert, aware and focused while on duty, free from alcohol or illegal drugs during the working day or if outside the normal working day while on duty.
• Refrain from possessing or consuming alcohol or illegal drugs on district property; at school events or while on duty.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• No less than 3-years classroom teaching and current proven experience in gifted education

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, Master’s Degree preferred.

• Valid Arizona Teacher Certification

• Endorsement in gifted education preferred

• Valid Arizona teacher’s certificate for the appropriate grade level and/or subject matter.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports, newsletters and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, parents or employees of the organization. Ability to speak read and write fluently in second language for dual language immersion positions as applicable.

Supervision:   Received from:  Principal and Director of Academic Services and Assessment

                     Given to:          Students, Teacher Aide.

Evaluation:     At least annually by the Principal or supervisor in accordance with the policy of the Governing Board.