Urbana School District #116

 

TITLE:  Middle School Social Studies Teacher

 

LOCATION:  Urbana Middle School

 

SUPERVISOR:  Building principal and/or assistant principal(s)

 

JOB SUMMARY:  The mission of Urbana Middle School, a community of learning, is to engage and inspire students while promoting their intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Under the general direction of the principal and/or assistant principal(s), the teacher is responsible for fully supporting the school's mission.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  To perform this job successfully, the teacher must be able to perform each essential function at a level of proficiency. A proficient teacher :

• Is knowledgeable and competent in Social Studies.
• Is a proponent of and advocate for Social Studies.
• Utilizes instructional strategies and practices that are best practice in the field of Social Studies.
• Designs instruction considering student needs, ability levels, interests, classroom performance, and assessment results.
• Incorporates some content from previous instruction into daily planning.
• Designs daily instruction that is clear, well-organized, and accurate.
• Plans appropriate instructional activities that require higher-order thinking skills and allow for extension and enrichment of student learning.
• Develops lesson plans based on district curriculum and objectives.
• Integrates knowledge gained from staff development and professional educational literature when designing instruction.
• Actively pursues increased knowledge of content and best teaching practices.
• Selects materials with consideration of various learning styles.
• Seeks resources to enhance instruction.
• Plans for the use of technology when applicable.
• Presents accurate and complete content area information as needed to enhance student's completion of work.
• Implements lessons that address district curriculum goals, objectives, and state standards.
• Actively builds on students' prior knowledge.
• Provides background and/or explanatory information to increase students' depth of understanding.
• Opens lessons with the use of effective strategies to build interest.
• Explain instructions and content clearly, checking for students' understanding as necessary.
• Employs a variety of teaching techniques appropriate to the subject and to the learner's maturity.
• Adjusts instruction as needed during the lesson based on student response and feedback.
• Provides opportunities for all students to demonstrate learning.
• Demonstrates appropriate pacing that includes smooth, efficient transitions.
• Makes effective use of the entire learning period.
• Concludes lessons clearly.
• Utilizes multiple modalities when delivering lessons.
• Makes appropriate accommodations for individual students.
• Teaches lessons using knowledge of developmental characteristics of age groups.
• Completes and reports results of assessments mandated by the building and district.
• Aligns assessment with curriculum and instruction.
• Analyze assessment data for reliability and validity.
• Uses assessments that align with district curriculum and state standards.
• Uses assessment data to determine the range of student understanding.
• Uses assessments and results to guide instruction.
• Provides ongoing updates to students and parents regarding student progress.
• Provides clear academic expectations and criteria for success that can allow students to self-monitor progress.
• Provides students with timely feedback on assignments and assessments.
• Interacts with students in a mutually respectful and friendly manner.
• Establishes a trusting environment that fosters risk-taking and enhances positive student self-concept.
• Capitalizes on student interests and experiences as they relate to learning activities.
• Provides opportunities for students to assume responsibilities and develop independence.
• Recognizes and encourages diverse opinions while preparing students for membership in a multicultural society.
• Establishes and maintains high learning expectations.
• Foster's enthusiasm for learning in all students.
• Maintains a functional, attractive environment with materials conducive to student learning.
• Adjusts instruction as needed.
• Establishes procedural routines which are clear to students.
• Provides clear, adequate written instructions and materials for substitute teachers.
• Manages more than one situation at a time when necessary.
• Teaches clear behavioral expectations to students and checks for understanding.
• Addresses student problems in an organized, fair, and consistent manner.
• Seeks to improve specific and chronic behavioral problems.
• Monitors student behavior continuously while maintaining a consistent and appropriate emotional demeanor.
• Collaborates with parents, support staff, and others to develop and carry out a plan to improve student behavior.
• Reinforces appropriate student behaviors.
• Handles disruptive classroom situations.
• Works cooperatively with all staff, administration, parents, and community.
• Responds professionally to conflict.
• Treats people individually, irrespective of race, gender, or socio-economic background.
• Uses discretion in handling confidential information and difficult situations.
• Demonstrates punctuality in arrival and departure times from the building, classes, and meetings. Demonstrates consistent attendance.
• Informs administrators and appropriate personnel of school-related concerns and difficulties as they arise.
• Meets all professional responsibilities in a timely manner, including providing accurate information.
• Complies with building policies, school board policies and requirements in the Professional Negotiated Agreement.
• Communicates often with faculty and staff through email or in person, about the progress made by the students and the need or receipt of work.
• Demonstrates awareness of developments in the field of education.
• Keeps abreast of building and district level committee work.
• Demonstrates commitment to professional growth by participating in building and district staff development.
• Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct. For the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Makes provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service activities as directed.
• Serves on staff committees as required.
• Maintains professional relationships with students and faculty, follows the ethics of the teaching profession, and promotes the welfare of students at all times.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Teachers may assume additional roles and responsibilities within the school and/or district on a voluntary or compensatory basis as described in the Professional Negotiated Agreement and/or in agreement with the principal and/or assistant principal(s).

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

EDUCATION

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with certification and/or endorsement in the core teaching area, specifically at the middle school level.  Highly qualified status (when applicable) in the specific content area.

 

EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience teaching students at the middle school level, except in the case of a new college graduate, and/or previous experience teaching in the specific content area, except in the case of a new college graduate.

 

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: The ideal candidate would strongly desire to work with bilingual and EL students in order to serve all students in this position.

 

LICENSES/CREDENTIAL:  Valid Illinois Teaching Certificate with the appropriate endorsements specific to the teaching area.

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  

• Salary and Benefit information can be found on the Human Resources webpage.  There are many opportunities for employees to earn additional compensation (stipends, differentials, extra duty pay, etc.) during the regular school year and in the summer.
• This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
• This is an exempt position.

 

EVALUATION: The performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the Board's policy on evaluating professional personnel.

 

START DATE:  August 2026

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

REVISED:  February 2025