About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Nios provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Nios model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.

Position Overview

The Para Los Nios Charter Middle School is looking for enthusiastic, talented, and committed teachers in all subject areas. Through a relationship-based approach and Multi-Tiered System of Support, Para Los Nios provides an educational program that addresses the academic, social and emotional learning and, ultimately, the wellness of our students. We have an intense focus on the whole child, understanding that children live and learn within the context of a family, and a family lives and learns within the context of a community. As part of a non-profit organization, we strive to personalize our educational approach for every student by providing comprehensive and accessible support in our schools which begin from infancy and range to middle school. We are in constant pursuit of accelerated learning, through assessment and data-driven decision-making.

Under the direct supervision of the Charter School Principal, Charter School Teachers will serve as the primary teacher in a single subject area (i.e, Mathematics, Science, English-Language Arts, Social Studies). Teachers will participate in weekly grade level meetings and schoolwide professional development to collaborate with grade level teams on implementation of an integrated, standards-based curriculum. Teachers will also collaborate with Charter School Principal, School Social Worker, School Therapist, and Guidance Counselor to implement our Student Support Services model; providing whole child supports to ensure academic and Social Emotional Wellness success. All Para Los Nios Teachers participate in a 10-day Educators Institute prior to the start of the school year three pupil-free professional development days throughout the year to support their data analysis of progress monitoring benchmarks.

Duties

• Teaches subject area leveraging culturally relevant curriculum that follows the guidelines specified by the charter school.
• Further develops and refines a high-level, challenging curriculum in subject area.
• Maintains ongoing curriculum evaluation and development to meet the needs of students.
• Collaborates with other faculty in delivery of appropriate instructional approaches, working to serve the various learning styles and needs of students.
• Implements curriculum and instruction in a manner consistent with PLN's mission statement, including an educational program that addresses the academic, social and emotional learning and, ultimately, the wellness of our students.
• Follows the PLN Behavior Support Plan; grounded in Restorative Practices.
• Facilitates resolution of problems that might arise with students and families.
• Assesses student performance frequently and objectively.
• Promotes ethical behavior while in school atmosphere to demonstrate responsible conduct by student and staff.
• Develops a cooperative partnership with families and students based on mutual respect and objectivity.
• Holds family/student/teacher conferences in a manner consistent with the Charter Middle School policy manual; including participating in meetings in the familys native language and providing all requested documentation in their native language. Teachers work with school administration for interpreter resources.
• Continues intellectual and professional development and pursues further education in rimary academic discipline.
• Follows state and charter-mandated school guidelines, except where PLN has received specific waivers.
• Follows policies established by the Board of Directors.
• Participates in professional development activities relating to education, and information technologies and implements their learning in the classroom with students.
• Participates in all staff meetings including school governance during after-school hours.
• Demonstrates awareness of school/community needs and initiates activities to meet those identified needs.
• Perform other projects and duties as directed by supervisor.

Qualificationsand Experience Requirements

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning process, preferably at the middle education level.
• Teaching experience in a public or private setting, including work with highly capable students.
• Demonstrated experience providing a standards-based culturally relevant curriculum, including utilizing assessments to inform students strengths and areas of growth, curriculum compacting, flexible pacing, flexible instruction, grouping and regrouping, acceleration, enrichment, and independent study to meet student needs.
• Demonstrated talent in the instruction of students with varied learning styles and levels of mastery.
• Demonstrated success in effectively solving challenging problems through a positive, collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated expertise in their subject area.
• Bilingual English/Spanish desirable.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, families, administrators, colleagues, community, and other school system staff in a non-traditional, inner-city environment.
• A strong sense of personal accountability for student achievement.

Education and Certification Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in applicable field of education from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Holds a current Single Subject teaching credential with appropriate subject matter authorization in area of assignment issued by the California State Department of Education Commission on Teachers Credentialing.
• Holds current, or will attain, CPR/First Aid Certification.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately50%of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able tospeakand hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Expectations for All Para Los Nios Staff

Candidates for employment at a Para Los Nios, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Nios.

Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.

Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.

Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.

Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.

Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.

Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.

Belief in and abi