Position Summary
The High School English Language Arts Teacher is responsible for fostering a high-engagement, intellectually rigorous learning environment where high school students cultivate advanced literacy, critical thinking, rhetorical analysis, and sophisticated written and oral communication skills. Serving as a crucial bridge between foundational middle school literacy and the demands of post-secondary academics or career readiness, this role empowers students to examine complex texts, craft evidence-based arguments, and articulate meaningful ideas. The ideal candidate is an exceptionally skilled, collaborative professional dedicated to standards-based instruction, continuous student growth, and establishing a culture of high expectations paired with grace and accountability.
Core Responsibilities
Instruction & Curriculum Delivery
- Standards-Based Instruction: Design and execute daily, high-leverage lessons explicitly aligned with the Indiana Academic Standards for 9-12 ELA, focusing on Reading Literature, Reading Nonfiction, Argumentative/Informational/Narrative Writing, Speaking, and Listening.
- Textual & Rhetorical Analysis: Guide students through deep, critical analysis of diverse literary genres, seminal historical documents, and contemporary media, emphasizing textual evidence, rhetorical devices, theme development, and vocabulary in context.
- Writing Process & Workshop: Facilitate the end-to-end writing process-planning, drafting, peer-reviewing, revising, and editing-ensuring students master structured argumentative synthesis, research methodology, MLA/APA conventions, and stylistic polish.
- Differentiated Learning: Deploy varied instructional strategies (e.g., scaffolding complex texts, small-group instruction, tiered assignments, and Socratic seminars) to support and challenge all learners, including High Ability/Honors students, Multilingual Learners, and students receiving Special Education or 504 accommodations.
Assessment, Data Analysis, & Growth
- Diagnostic & Summative Evaluation: Design and administer a balanced mix of formative check-ins, authentic performance tasks, analytical essays, and standards-aligned benchmark assessments.
- Data-Driven Practice: Regularly disaggregate student performance metrics to refine pacing, target skill deficits, and implement structured Tier 2 and Tier 3 instructional interventions.
- Actionable Feedback: Provide prompt, rigorous, and constructive feedback on student writing and analytical tasks to cultivate a growth mindset and encourage continuous revision.
Classroom Environment & Character Culture
- Culture of Academic Discipline: Establish a structured, orderly, and inclusive environment that balances intellectual challenge with psychological safety, mutual respect, and civil discourse.
- Proactive Classroom Management: Maintain clear daily routines, high behavioral standards, and consistent accountability in alignment with school-wide policies and positive behavior frameworks.
Professional Collaboration & Engagement
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): Actively collaborate with department colleagues to align course pacing, share common assessments, analyze student work, and refine pedagogical practices.
- Family Partnership: Maintain proactive, professional communication with parents and guardians regarding academic trajectory, behavioral expectations, and student accomplishments via digital communication portals, phone calls, and conferences.
- School Contribution: Support school-wide initiatives, departmental goals, and co-curricular programs or student organizations as appropriate.