Primary Professional Function 

Educators at The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW) are hired with the invitation and encouragement to be life-long learners. FXW will employ faculty who enjoy teaching, who are progressive and innovative in their craft, who love working with students, who are great colleagues, and who truly find joy in their profession.  We expect that an FXW faculty member possesses the necessary knowledge, teaching skills, character, and commitment to be productive members of the FXW community.  Additionally, the FXW teacher will adhere to the unique Catholic mission and interfaith values of FXW School.

At FXW, we aspire that each teacher is successful. To do so, an FXW teacher will do the following:  

• Utilize effective instructional strategies with students.  

• Be willing to grow in their profession.

• Create and manage the classroom in a positive manner, respecting the dignity of all.

• Embrace the FXW Mission and Charisms.

• Complete annual goals and seek professional development opportunities.

• Maintain a positive rapport with all members of the FXW community.

• Fulfill routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.

Middle School Grade 6-8 Teacher Program Description

At the Frances Xavier Warde School, Middle School students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, to broaden their reading and understanding of community and world issues, and to learn to make good decisions and act independently as they prepare for high school. With teacher guidance, students explore content area subjects while developing a repertoire of academic vocabulary, note-taking skills and test-taking strategies. Teachers focus on curriculum integration in the humanities, math and science, and world language. Through intensive training in both oral and written communication, participation in cooperative projects and experiments, and purposeful use of technology, students build young adult learning skills as they broaden their knowledge. During the Middle School years, students are given greater opportunities for extracurricular activities in the areas of sports, drama, music and art. These opportunities, coupled with a rigorous curriculum, help to foster increased independence in students as they progress toward high school.

Duties/ Responsibilities

Middle School Grade 6-8 Teacher Primary Functions

The Middle School Teacher is responsible for facilitating the cognitive development of all learners by providing a quality learning experience to all children in his/her care. The teacher must possess the knowledge and theoretical grounding necessary to instruct the Middle School student, utilizing age-appropriate methods, strategies and procedures.

FXW Middle School (Grades 6-8) Teacher - Job Description

What Makes an FXW Teacher Competent and Effective

Educators are hired with the expectation that they possess the necessary knowledge, teaching skills, character, and commitment to be productive members of the FXJN community. The following is a list of descriptors:

•       Adheres to the unique Catholic mission and interfaith values of FXJN School.

• Articulates a working knowledge of FXWs value-centered mission and academically rigorous curricular goal.

• Participates in spiritual development activities of the FXJN community, including support for student community service projects and initiatives.

• Models the importance of daily prayer and worship through active participation with students.

• Demonstrates a willingness to plan, encourage and participate in community building activities (religious, social and educational)

•       Utilizes effective instructional strategies and assessment tools that develop higher-level thinking skills.

• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of subject matter.

• Understands interrelationships of content areas.

• Regularly utilize formative and summative assessment to guide instruction.

• Employ technology effectively to enhance teaching.

• Presents lessons and instructions in multiple modalities to address students' various learning styles and abilities.

• Encourages students to become aware of social issues and current events appropriate to their level of understanding

•       Creates and manages the classroom in a positive manner, respecting the dignity of all.

• Respects the rights of students as individuals.

• Utilizes positive reinforcement strategies.

• Creates a classroom that is visually stimulating, orderly and safe.

• Mentors’ students effectively and professionally.

•       Completes annual goals and seeks professional development opportunities.

• Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility by keeping current with recent practice and research in education.

• Collaborates and works with administration to further yearly goals.

•       Maintains a positive rapport with all members of the FXJN community.

• Accept feedback and works to show improvement.

• Respects the integrity of fellow staff, students and parents by being discreet and tactful when discussing student and school-related issues.

• Demonstrates flexibility and models collegiality.

• Fulfills routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.

• Demonstrates evidence of prior planning and preparation.

• Creates lesson plans with clear student-centered objectives, incorporating the principles of backward design, as well as the use of formative and summative assessments.

• Use instructional time efficiently.

• Evaluates student progress effectively.

• Utilizes correct and appropriate written and oral communication in conversations, reports and meetings.

• Punctual and effective supervisory duties such as dance supervision, music rehearsal supervision, morning supervision, lunch supervision, after- school supervision {e.g. study or homework club), and curb or bus duty.

• Willingly uses and integrates technology into the classroom.

• Maintains an up-to-date Gradebook, Teacher Website and Lesson Plans

• Articulates concepts and writes narrative reports in a timely, professional, and grammatically correct manner.

• Participates effectively in Roundtable Student Evaluation sessions

• Effectively leads parent/student/teacher conferences on a bi-annual basis

• Punctual for and actively participates in weekly grade level curriculum meetings

• Fulfills additional coverage duties as requested by Administration.

Teacher Evaluation Program

Explanation:

The teacher evaluation program is an ongoing process designed to recognize and encourage the work of a teacher. The process will provide an ongoing opportunity for professional growth and renewal, to recognize strengths and to provide an open climate for new ideas. The overall goals of the evaluation plan are to

positively enhance FXWs instructional program as well as support the teacher's professional growth. This process will challenge the teacher to build on talents; to recognize and reflect upon present practices; to

articulate and reflect on difficulties and seek solutions. The success of the program is predicated on the following conditions: conscientious self-evaluation, mutual respect and trust, and confidentiality between

teacher and supervisor.

Three-part process:

1.      Goal setting is an integral part of professional growth. The setting of goals every year provides the teacher and evaluator an opportunity to focus together on areas of professional growth. An evaluator may identify a goal for a teacher based on previous year's evaluation feedback. By the end of October, the teacher and evaluator will meet to discuss the goals. The established goals may be modified or continued at any time throughout the process by mutual agreement. In the absence of mutual agreement, the goals may be established, modified or continued at the discretion of the evaluator. There will be additional meetings to review the status of the goals throughout the year.

2.      Additionally, teachers will be informally and formally observed and evaluated each year. Informal observations can include classroom visits and observations of the teacher in outside-the-classroom situations. A formal observation will include a pre-observation conference, an observation, and a post observation conference and a teacher reflection. These will be completed by a mutually agreed upon date. Additional observations with follow-up may occur at the request of the teacher or the prerogative of the evaluator.

3.      A performance review is a summative evaluation of the teacher's performance as evidenced by formal and informal classroom observation and goal setting. By design, it includes feedback on the areas of teacher competencies and effectiveness listed above. Areas of noted deficiency may be remediated by enacting a Plan of Intensive Assistance and the appropriate measures of further administrative review will take place.

Evidence/Artifacts to support these expectations

•       Adheres to the mission and values of FXW School.

• Involvement in charity drives as well as attendance and active participation in worship services.

• Active involvement in professional development days.

•       Utilizes effective instructional strategies with students.

• Lesson Planning.

• Outreach to other resources.

• Parent contacts.

• Informal/formal observations.

• Assessments analysis.

• Participation in grade-level meetings.

•       Creates and manages the classroom in a positive manner respecting the dignity of all.

• Community building activities.

• Parent contacts.

• Selection of students to participate.

• Classroom environment.

•       Completes annual goals and seek professional development opportunities.

• Participate in teacher evaluation process.

• Shows evidence on achieving annual goals.

• Open to feedback and open to making changes.

•       Maintains a positive rapport with all members of the FXW community.

• Participates in extracurriculars, events, tutoring, services.

• Attitude and participation on staff days and in meetings.

• Participate in social opportunities.

• Flexible with changes to schedules.

• Fulfills routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.

• Duties show up and enthusiastic and present.

• Narratives due on time and well written.

• Blogs, assessments, and feedback to parents is ongoing and updated in timely manner

Compliance

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements. 

• Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.

• Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.

• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.

• Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.

Qualifications and Requirements  

• A bachelor's or master's degree in education.

• A valid, issued State of Illinois teaching certificate is preferred.

• Required current State of Illinois Teaching Certificate Type 03/Type 09.

• A master’s degree in a curriculum area is preferred.

• Familiarity with ISACS criteria and standards of excellence.

• Ability to plan and teach effectively within the Block Scheduling model.

• Ability to teach courses within a Religion Curriculum -either Catholic or Interfaith in subject matter.

• Ability to lead a Club and/or Extra-Curricular Activity of interest to Middle School students (e.g. yearbook, a sport, an academic team, etc.).

A candidate must demonstrate:

• The ability to establish collaborative relationships with co-teacher/teaching staff.  

• Strong interest to teach in an inclusive faith-based school and comfortable teaching a Religion Curriculum- either Catholic or Interfaith in subject matter.  

Key Relationships 

The Teacher reports to the Campus Principal and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Principal and/or Assistant Principal. Other key relationships include campus leadership, Head of School, other teachers and administrators, staff, students and parents.

Physical Requirements

Standing and Movement:

• Middle school teachers frequently stand for extended periods while teaching, and they need to be able to walk around the classroom and maneuver in tight spaces.

Clear Communication:

• Teachers must be able to speak clearly and project their voice to be heard by students, as well as understand the speech of others. 

Visual Acuity:

• They need to be able to see details of objects at various distances, including those within a few feet and those further away. 

Hearing:

• Teachers must be able to hear sounds and distinguish between them and focus on one source of sound while ignoring others. 

Fine Motor Skills:

• Teachers may need to use their fingers to grasp, move, or assemble small objects. 

Physical Stamina:

• The job can be physically demanding, requiring teachers to stay active and engaged throughout the day. 

Occasional Physical Tasks:

• Teachers may need to kneel, squat, or stoop, to interact with students or access materials. 

Adaptability:

• Teachers need to be able to adapt to different classroom environments and activities, which may involve standing, sitting, or walking. 

Work Environment

High Social Interaction:

• Middle school teachers have a high level of social interaction with students, parents, and other staff members. 

Classroom Management:

• They must be able to manage diverse student behaviors and create a positive learning environment. 

Communication:

• Teachers communicate regularly with students, parents, and colleagues via phone, email, in-person meetings, and written correspondence. 

Conflict Situations:

• Teachers may encounter conflict situations with students or parents, requiring strong communication and conflict resolution skills. 

Collaboration:

• Teachers work as part of a team with other educators and staff members. 

Physical Environment:

• Teachers work indoors in classrooms but may also work outdoors for physical education or sports activities. 

Technology:

• Teachers must be comfortable using technology for instruction, communication, and assessment. 

Travel Requirements:

• Local travel between campuses, as necessary, to fulfill student curriculum and/or program requirements.