WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHER
School Overview
Cresthaven Academy Charter School exists to provide a comprehensive education to our scholars that develops the ‘whole child” through academic excellence, physical wellness, emotional health, and character enrichment. Our school is built on the belief that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed when given equal access to a high-quality education. Each of our scholars will be empowered to overcome challenges and equipped to sustain their success in school and beyond.
Cresthaven Academy Charter School opened in August 2016 with 75 kindergarten scholars, and we will add a grade each academic year until we are a K-8 school. All Cresthaven Academy scholars will receive access to the best educators and resources, serving to actualize each child’s potential and setting them on the path to college. Cresthaven Academy Charter School is supported by Cresthaven Academy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation exists to support the school and teaching staff in all things outside of classroom instruction, reducing the risk of burnout and raising academic standards by allowing educators to focus on their scholars. Together we will incorporate comprehensive support for scholars and families into the education model, including an afterschool program and Saturday Academy, in order to inspire excellence in character, identity, and academics in each child.
Cresthaven Academy is focused on supporting excellent teaching that closes the achievement gap. We recognize that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement. We also value leadership and support staff because they facilitate, encourage, and help to foster the developmental growth of scholars to achieve physical, social and mental well-being by providing quality care and expertise in their respective roles.
We are seeking a World Language (Spanish) Teacher who is results-oriented and does whatever it takes to ensure success for all scholars. At Cresthaven Academy we believe in working collaboratively as a team beyond each teacher’s classroom walls. Why join the Cresthaven Academy Family? Great question! We’re really passionate about kids, fun, and improvement. To find out more, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
What You Can Expect at Cresthaven Academy Charter School
Professional Development
We are invested in hiring, training, and retaining top talent. Before the school year begins, we offer three weeks of targeted training for new staff. Aligned to our data-driven approach, we hold ourselves to the highest standards in terms of collaboration and professional development. At Cresthaven Academy, we are all “learners” and consider ourselves part of a culture of reflection, feedback, and commitment to excellence. Support includes:
- Built-in planning time to ensure implementation and effectiveness of our co-teaching model. Intense collaboration with grade team around curriculum and sharing of best practices is a non-negotiable.
- Weekly leadership-led professional development sessions, including grade-team planning meetings, training on classroom management and curriculum, strategies for working with Students with Disabilities (SWDs) and English-Language Learners (ELLs), and sessions to analyze student work.
- Frequent observations by the Principal or Lead Teacher followed by targeted feedback and recommendations on how to improve teaching and learning.
School Community
At Cresthaven Academy, we are working collaboratively with parents and community leaders to build a culture of success and student achievement. We hold all members of our school community to high expectations, know every scholar and family by name, and offer comprehensive support to ensure success for all of our scholars.
- After-School and Saturday Academy will be offered exclusively to all Cresthaven scholars to provide academic, creative, and athletic enrichment. Teachers will have the option of receiving an additional stipend for work conducted at enrichment programming.
- Cresthaven Academy staff will communicate frequently with families and send written progress notes in English and Spanish several times per year. The Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will assist non-Spanish speaking teachers to communicate with families and make them feel welcomed in order to support all of our scholars.
- We will conduct home visits for each scholar as part of the enrollment process.
- We will provide periodic Parent Academy sessions, a program designed to address the needs of our scholars and school community.
- We field questions and quickly respond to phone calls from families to maintain open lines of communication.
Resources and Technology
Our school model is designed to provide a comprehensive support system to develop the “whole child.” We have a full-time nurse, physical education teacher school psychologist to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our scholars. Additionally, you can count on the following:
- Brand new, custom-designed classrooms that are engaging and developmentally appropriate, a resurfaced outdoor courtyard, and an all-purpose space to ensure that our scholars have daily play time.
- Educational technology including an interactive smartboard and computer center in every classroom, as well as a laptop to maintain open lines of communication with families and colleagues.
- A leadership and support team to manage many non-instructional aspects of the school day allowing the Principal to focus on instruction and teacher development.
Qualifications:
Our ideal World Language (Spanish) Teacher will have:
- At least 2 years of full-time classroom experience. Charter school and urban setting experience is preferred.
- Must hold the a valid NJ Teaching Certificate
- A demonstrated track record of facilitating student academic growth and having a joyous, positive classroom.
- Experience organizing cultural events to engage parents and community members.
- A Master’s Degree and teaching certificate in the content area. (Bachelor’s Degree is required.)
- Very strong written and verbal English and Spanish skills.
- Passion and sustained commitment to ensure that joyful, rigorous instruction is delivered to every scholar, every day.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and be mission-aligned
Demonstrated competencies in the following areas are a must:
- Behavior and Classroom Management Ability to establish and maintain high expectations and create 100% engagement in a classroom of scholars at all times.
- Accountability and Data Driven Proven record of student achievement as evidenced by student work, learning, and data.
- Preparation Ability to study Cresthaven Academy’s curriculum and NJ Student Learning Standards for grade levels taught, commit to collegial relationships, and work collaboratively to deliver instruction at a high level.
- Self-Reflection Ability to seek, accept, and implement feedback from colleagues and Principal on an going basis for continuous improvement.
- Stamina and Grit Ability to handle the intensity required to work an extended school day and school calendar.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with colleagues in developing purposeful, rigorous, and engaging daily and long-term plans aligned to standards and in regularly revising these materials.
- Create, administer, and analyze meaningful and frequent assessments from which re-teaching is planned.
- Be accountable for students’ mastery of academic standards and IEP goals.
- Share responsibility for grade-level and school-wide activities.
- Take lead in supervising lunch and recess.
- Work closely with diverse stakeholders to create activities to promote health and well-being.
- Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities.
- Proactively seek assistance or advice when faced with challenging teaching situations.
Cresthaven Academy offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills. Cresthaven Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.