3rd Grade Teacher

Overview

Title:  Classroom Teacher

 

Reports To:  Principal, Board of Christian Education, & Congregation

 

GENERAL SUMMARY:

To exemplify the Christian faith and life in daily activities. Responsible for working with students in all areas of an elementary classroom.

To teach faithfully the Word of God, the Sacred Scriptures, in its truth and purity and as set forth in all the symbolical books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church;
To exemplify the Christian faith and life, to function in an atmosphere of love and order characteristic of the Body of Christ at work, and to lead others toward Christian maturity;
To show a due concern for all the phases of ministry, especially to work for the promotion and improvement of all efforts in Christian education;
To exemplify Christian discipleship and witness, to live in Christian unity with the members of the congregation and co-workers, and to seek earnestly the advancement of the Kingdom of God at home and abroad.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The teachers are the chief instructors in the school.
In relation to the school, the teacher’s chief activity is that of instructing the children in the areas set forth in the school’s curriculum within the spirit of the mission statement and other statements of the school philosophy and objectives.
As an instructor, the teacher directs, controls, and manages all matters having to do with the teaching-learning process in the classroom.
To do all in your power to guide and direct the children in your care so that they may learn to apply their Christian knowledge to their lives and conduct.
To cooperate with the Principal, Pastors, and the Board of Christian Education in the various undertakings designed to promote the Christian School and Kingdom of God.
ZION TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

To remain faithful in the Word of God as proclaimed in the canonical books
of the Old and New Testament.

 

To give the children a thorough Christian education in the standard school subjects according to a course of study approved by the Board of Christian Education and  congregation;
To exemplify the Christian faith and life in the classroom, to maintain an atmosphere of love and order characteristic of the body of Christ at work, to lead children toward Christian maturity, and also to exemplify the Christian life outside the classroom;
Apart from the school, to show a due concern for all congregational activities especially to work for the promotion and improvement of all efforts in Christian education;

 

To exemplify Christian discipleship and witness in the congregation to cooperate with the Pastors, the Principal, and the Board of Christian Education in the various undertakings designed to promote the Christian School and the Kingdom of God generally, and to endeavor earnestly to live in Christian unity with co-workers and members of the congregation;
To adhere to all the policies stated in Zion’s Teachers’ Handbook.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

 

Personal Characteristics
1. Communication Skills-The teacher communicates effectively orally

and in written form.

2. Personality

a.      The teacher exercises self-control.

b.     The teacher shows poise, confidence, cheerfulness, and a sense                          of humor governed by good taste.

3. Personal Appearance

a.      The teacher appears well-groomed.

b.     The teacher is dressed professionally.

4. Spiritually-The teacher lives the Christian faith in all facets of life.

B.  Professional Characteristics

1. Professional Growth

a.   The teacher is involved in continuing education.

b.   The teacher attends professional meetings and conferences.                                           c.   The teacher reads professional periodicals.

d.   The teacher is encouraged to hold membership in professional organizations.

2.  Professional Attitude

a.      The teacher supports in practice the mission statement, philosophy, objectives, etc.

b.     The teacher follows policies, procedures, and directives.

c.      The teacher follows Matthew 18 in differences of opinion with the Pastors, Principal, Board of Christian Education, parents and students.

d.     The teacher is interested in and participates in congregational activities.

e.      The teacher offers suggestions and support in such areas as:

1.     policy development

2.     budget

3.     building maintenance

4.     school calendar

5.     selecting materials for purchase

6.     improvement of the school’s programs

7.     faculty and staff meetings

8.     names of prospective staff members

9.     staff and parent handbook changes

10.  Hygiene and safety

11.  public relations and student recruitment

 

3. Relationships with Staff, Parents, and Community

a.      The teacher cooperates with other staff members and maintains a Christian professional relationship with them.

b.     The teacher attends faculty and staff meetings and constructively participates in them.

c.      The teacher communicates with parents and provides parents with information relating to the school and to the work being done by the students.

d.     Ability to interact professionally with children, parents, and teachers in person, electronically, or over the telephone.

e.      The teacher sees his/her own role as assisting parents.

f.      The teacher attends and participates in meetings and functions of the Parent-Teacher League.

g.     Teacher assists with VBS.

 

4. Relationships with Students

a.    The teacher shows courtesy to students and an interest in them.

b.The teacher respects the ability and worth of each pupil as a Child of God.

c.      The teacher maintains discipline through the proper use of Law and            Gospel. (see Student Discipline Policy).

C.  Instructional Competence

1.  Classroom Environment

a.      The teacher arranges the classroom so that optimum instruction can take place.

b.     The teacher maintains current and topical bulletin boards and classroom displays.

c.      The teacher displays student work.

d.     The teacher maintains a neat and clean room.

e.      The teacher maintains the classroom for student learning, comfort, and enjoyment.

 

2.  Teaching Competence

a.      The teacher demonstrates knowledge of the subject area content.

b.     The teacher demonstrates the characteristics of effective instruction.

c.      The teacher demonstrates effective classroom management.

d.     The teacher maintains accurate student records and lesson plans.

 

D. Other Skills & Abilities

a.      Knowledge of and skill in using copier.

b.     Ability to collaborate and work independently.

c.      Skill and ability to answer multi-telephone system.

d.     Ability to use/learn school technology.

 

 

 

 

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

College degree in elementary education.
Able to acquire a State of South Dakota teacher certificate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects.

 

EMPLOYMENT:

Full-time position– 7:45am-3:30pm, or beyond when necessary
Paid according to current amount decided by compensation committee.
Must have current health exam and background check.  Fees paid by individual and/or school.
School Calendar schedule. August 15th – June 15th ; determined by school principal
Hours prior to and after student contact day determined by principal and employee.
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL COMMITMENT TO THE TEACHER:

To enable you to do these things, we hereby obligate ourselves:

A.    To receive you as a called/contracted servant of Jesus Christ, loving and honoring, aiding and supporting you with our diligent, faithful assistance and prayers;

To review your skills of ministry in light of our needs;
To make appropriate arrangements for your continuing education as a professional person in the ministry of the Gospel and financially assist in maintaining state certification;
To provide for your proper maintenance according to our ability and to review your salary and all allowances periodically.
Zion has called teachers who are graduates from our Synodical Colleges who have a Lutheran Teacher’s Diploma.  A teacher may also be contracted on a “two year” basis if necessary. After the second year of contract, a teacher contract will be subject to review by the Board of Christian Education for renewal options. Colloquy program may be required to continue employment. At any time during this process a teacher may begin the Colloquy program. Zion offers to pay a portion of the cost of the colloquy program.  If a teacher begins the program, but does not complete the colloquy, then Zion requires their portion to be repaid.  A teacher may also be contracted on a “one year” basis if necessary.
Zion requires that their teachers have/obtain and maintain state certification credentials and state requirements for fingerprinting.