Description
Under the direction of the school principal and/or assistant principal, the Elementary Classroom Teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences that encompass a broad range of subject areas including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. Elementary Classroom Teachers provide an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of individuals to ensure success for every student. Elementary Classroom Teachers may engage with students spanning a wide age range, typically from the first grade to fifth grade. Elementary Classroom Teachers are responsible for developing, selecting, and differentiating instructional plans and materials based on the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) curriculum to meet the needs of all students.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an applicable field of education.
- Certification/Licensure: Meets the Maryland State Department of Education licensure requirements for Elementary Education Licensure.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three previous years of teaching experience.
- Holds a current Maryland State Department of Education license in Elementary Education.
Essential Position Responsibilities
- Plan and implement instructional programs that adhere to system-wide goals and priorities and meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students.
- Prepare, document, and effectively implement appropriate daily lesson plans for classes assigned, based upon HCPSS curricula, and aligned to the Understanding by Design framework, to achieve appropriate learning outcomes.
- Develop and nurture a learning environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students.
- Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and learning outcomes.
- Establish learning objectives consistent with student needs, requirements of the HCPSS curriculum framework, and knowledge of student growth and development.
- Create a classroom environment that supports student engagement in the learning process, promotes academic language development and student discourse, and enables each student to achieve academic success.
- Provide an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities and English Learners.
- Refer students for appropriate specialized support as needed.
- Plan for and utilize instructional methods, accommodations, resources, and evaluation techniques that motivate and enable each student to achieve the applicable learning objectives.
- Provide input when necessary to student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and EL Accommodation Plans.
- Take all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
- Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, HCPSS policy and administrative regulation.
- Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing conduct.
- Develop norms of classroom behavior and procedure and maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
- Communicate performance, successes, and opportunities for improvement to students and families.
- Provide timely and meaningful feedback to students and families.
- Make provisions for being available to students and families for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
- Plan and oversee purposeful assignments for paraeducators, student assistants, and/or classroom volunteers.
- Plan and collaborate with co‑teachers including special education and ESOL educators.
- Provide non‑evaluative input on paraeducator and/or student assistants’ job performance as requested.
- Establish relationships with administrators, curricular office staff, colleagues, students, families, and the school community that reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.
- Appraise his/her effectiveness and demonstrate successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness.
- Participate in and share responsibility for the safe and orderly operation of schools, including attending staff meetings, district professional learning events, and serving on staff committees when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
Compensation and Benefits
- This is a 10‑month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit.
- The current salary range is on the 10‑month teacher salary scale; actual placement will be determined by salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA Master Agreement.
- Benefits include a comprehensive package for eligible employees and are detailed in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bidding unit.
- Employees are eligible for the Maryland State Retirement Agency pension plan; annual contribution 7% of annual salary.
Pre‑Employment Requirements
- Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment.
- All employees must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review.
- Additional physical examination and/or drug testing may be required.
Equal Opportunity
HCPSS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to any protected characteristic.