Title: Heritage Language Teacher (Navajo) – Elementary
Work Location: Tobe Turpen Elementary School
Work Hours: 7.5 hours/Day
Contract Length: 194 Days
520 Certificate Only - $59,984.00 minimum to $60,031.00 maximum
520 Certificate with Teacher's License - $59,984.00 minimum to $84,026.00 maximum
To deliver the District educational program by teaching students academic, social and motor skills according to State and District education standards and other appropriate agencies, and to provide equal educational opportunities for all students.
Summary
To deliver the district bilingual and/or home language educational program with the goal of students becoming bilingual and biliterate in English and a second language and meeting state academic content and standards and benchmarks in all subject areas according to state, tribal, and district education standards.
Supervision Received and Exercised - Receives general direction from the Principal or designee.
Essential Function Statements: Essential duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: - Read, write and speak the home language (Navajo/Zuni/Spanish) and the English language proficiently.
- Accurately demonstrate knowledge of the content area and approved curriculum.
- Utilize a variety of teaching methods and resources for each area taught and/or assigned.
- Communicates with and obtains feedback with students in a manner that enhances student learning and understanding with parents and staff.
- Appropriately apply the principles of student growth, development, and learning to enhance optimal student engagement.
- Develop, administer, and analyze student assessments.
- Promote positive student behavior and a safe and healthy environment for learning.
- Create a positive atmosphere conducive to promoting student involvement and self-concept, recognizing student diversity.
- Participate in the development and administration of district goals, objectives and procedures.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Understand and respect the cultural diversities, and traditional beliefs and practices, of students and their families.
- Participates in faculty and professional meetings and professional development opportunities.
- Performs all teaching requirements as required by the district/state.
- Performs related duties as required or assigned.
Qualification/ Knowledge Requirements - Basic principles of early childhood development including human growth and development, and special education.
- Content area theories, approved curriculum, and the objectives of assigned area of instruction.
- Teaching methods and resources for each assigned area of instruction
- Modern, effective and innovative teaching practices and techniques.
- Modern office and classroom equipment, including computers.
- The principles of student growth, development, and learning to enhance student learning and understanding.
- State and District curriculum guidelines or requirements.
- Cultural diversities of the local area
- Recent development, current literature and information related to bilingual education programs.
- Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and safety regulations.
- Knowledge of cultural traditions and practices of the Native American communities
- Analyze and interpret literature and apply to classroom practices.
- Understand, develop and implement bilingual curriculum in conjunction with local, state and national standards.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year of related work experience in a school setting is desirable.
Education:
High School Diploma.
Work Environment
On-site attendance is mandatory for this position.
Licensure and Certificates:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, the appropriate teaching license and endorsements in assigned area of instruction from the New Mexico State Department of Education including a
New Mexico Native American Language and Culture PreK-12 Certificate (520 Certificate) or New Mexico Native American Language and Culture PreK-12 Certificate (520 Certificate) to teach Navajo or Zuni.
Full and complete job descriptions are available from the Personnel Department.
All GMCS schools are eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Gallup-McKinley County Schools: 2025-2026 SY Incentives
Relocation Expenses for New Teachers, SPED Teachers & Counselors
300+ miles: $3,000
Signing Incentive for New Teachers & Counselors
McKinley County Graduates (HS): $20,000
NM Graduates (HS or College) or Within Navajo Nation Boundaries: $18,500
All Others: $17,000
Signing Incentives
Relocation incentive for all new teachers, counselors and administrators will be paid in full on the first paycheck of the school year.
All other incentives for teachers and counselors will be paid out over the course of two school years in four installments. Payment will be made ¼ in December of the first contract year, ¼ in May of the first contract year, ¼ in December of the second contract year and ¼ in May of the second contract year. The incentive will be prorated for hires made after the official work calendar start date but prior to December 31, 2025. Any hires made on or after December 31, 2025, will not be eligible to receive the signing incentives listed above. Failure to complete the terms of the employment contract in either/both of the two school years will result in the forfeiture of the entire signing incentive and relocation incentive. Signing Incentives are effective February 3, 2025.
Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for the signing incentives, you must be a new employee who was not employed in any position or certified capacity by GMCS during the 2024-2025 school year. For the relocation incentive, you cannot have received a relocation incentive within the last two (2) years to qualify for the Relocation Incentive for SY 25-26.
• Exception: Employees moving job class level up to new position (EA to Teacher or Teacher to Principal)
