downingtown Work Opportunities ∙ Page 5

Job Description

Title: Teacher, 8th Grade - Social Studies 

Reports To: Principal 

• Develops and administers Social Studies curriculum consistent with CCS goals and objectives
• Promotes a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction, and student learning
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences so as to best utilize the available time for instruction
• Teaches knowledge of social studies, incorporating history, geography, economics, political science, systems of government, education, responsible citizenship, and humanities
• Develops students' understanding of various racial, ethnic, religious and political groups, as well as socioeconomic status, and the influence of various factors on human rights and freedom
• Fosters an understanding of the continuity and patterns of human behavior through the ages, and an awareness of the complexity and interrelationship of local, state, national and world problems and approaches to their solution(s)
• Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning and progress, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual and small group instruction as needed
• Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents
• Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by CCS
• Enforces the CCS Student Code of Conduct, the CCS Uniform Code, and the CCS Computer Usage Code
• Promotes good citizenship through actions as a role model
• Conducts himself or herself according to professional, ethical principles that reflect favorably upon the individual and the school
• Maintains highest level of confidentiality pertaining to school and students’ information, progress, and records 
• Assumes other responsibilities assigned by supervisor and/or school administrator 
• Abides by the CCS Employee Manual, CCS policies and procedures, and all current PA Public School expectations

• A four-year college degree and PA Social Studies 7-12 Certification. If certification is from a different state, PA certification must be obtained within a determined timeframe.
• Knowledge of world history in a variety of sub-topic, including history, geography, sociology, economics, political science, systems of government, education, responsible citizenship, anthropology, and humanities
• Knowledge of humanity's major problems and approaches to their solution(s) in the past
• Demonstrated competence as a classroom teacher
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles
• Ability to organize and coordinate work
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth
• Knowledge of basic computer operations
• Required Clearances include Criminal Background Clearance (Act 34), Child Abuse Clearance (Act 151), and FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Act 114), all dated within one year of receipt
• Meets criteria for employment in a PA Public School

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to bend, stoop, climb stairs, and reach overhead
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate depending on the specific site