• This posting will remain open until filled
  
• Location:  District Office
  
• FTE: 1.0
• Start date:  August 26, 2024
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

 

Job Title: Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) - English Language Arts (ELA)/Constructing Meaning (CM) Grades 7-12

 

POSITION SUMMARY 

 

The Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) - English Language Arts (ELA)/Constructing Meaning (CM) Grades 7-12 will provide support to secondary teachers in the district around the implementation of the ELA curriculum and CM instructional strategies. The ELA/CM TOSA will work with building leaders and specialists to provide direct support and professional learning in ELA content and CM instructional strategies across content areas. The ELA/CM TOSA reports to the Director of Teaching and Learning or the designee. The TOSA does not supervise employees.

 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Supports the implementation of ELA curriculum for grades 7-12; provides professional learning regarding the ELA curriculum to best meet the needs of teachers and instructional leaders; and provides monitoring and coaching to support the implementation of highly effective ELA instructional strategies;
• Supports the alignment of K-12 literacy practices and interventions that are consistent with the Science of Reading to ensure that students are growing and developing grade level literacy skills. 
• Develops and delivers professional development to content staff in regard to second language acquisition and sheltered instruction.
• Provides explicit CM training across the system.
• Responds to the instructional needs of the building administrators and classroom teachers as needed;
• Facilitates the development and improvement of teaching and learning by modeling best practices and by providing support services, in a non-evaluative capacity, for teachers and administrative staff;
• Collaborates with building facilitators and department leads/chairs;
• Disaggregates and analyzes academic achievement data to target instruction, enhance student learning, and inform teacher practice; 
• Coaches teachers to apply most effective teaching tools, skills and attitudes to increase student engagement to support a standards-based learning environment to increase academic achievement in ELA and CM across content areas;
• Assists teachers in utilizing a variety of on-going, instructionally based assessment approaches to inform and differentiate instruction; 
• Collaborates with EL and other content TOSAs, school personnel, parents and various community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes;
• Be an innovative educator by using integrated digital tools and best practices aligned to curriculum and instruction, and guiding staff and students in the creative use of technology.

 

The Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) - English Language Arts (ELA)/Constructing Meaning (CM) Grades 7-12 should also model quality instruction, the following responsibilities also apply to this position:

 

• Provide a variety of situational appropriate instructional techniques and methods
• Promote high levels of achievement in relation to individual abilities
• Use techniques and methodologies appropriate to student abilities
• Use current and relevant subject matter
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to use research-based principles of effective instruction
• Organize instruction using learning objectives with clearly defined student outcomes
• Employ teaching strategies congruent with planned student outcomes
• Select teaching strategies emphasizing involvement
• Monitor student learning and pace instruction accordingly
• Develop and maintain a classroom environment conducive to effective student learning
• Develop written rules of classroom behavior and communicate those rules to all students
• Enforce written rules for classroom behavior
• Communicate goals and academic expectations to students
• Provide for the health and safety of students in all instructional settings
• Prepare effectively for class
• Prepare daily lesson plans
• Provide instruction based on District approved curriculum and standards
• Provide instruction predicated on course goals and objectives
• Develop and communicate appropriate progress grading standards to students
• Establish written grading standards that are clear and incorporate a variety of graded activities
• Assure that grading standards are explained, understood by the students, and available to parents
• Develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships
• Model personal behaviors of honesty, fairness, courtesy and consideration
• Maintain a cooperative relationship with administration staff, students and parents
• Communicate with parents, counselors and students
• Communicate with classified, licensed and administrative staff
• Instruct and direct assigned instructional assistants to maximize delivery of instructional services
• Provide documentation of student progress
• Provide timely and accurate feedback/documentation to students and parents
• Maintain appropriate records of student performance
• Assign and check homework and provide feedback, when appropriate
• Keep parents and teachers informed through written and oral communication
• Build motivation and interest in learning
• Exhibit personal interest and encourage student interest in the subject area
• Maintain a current awareness of literature/activities in reading
• Maintain an ongoing personal program of professional growth and development
• Develop and implement annually an approved plan for professional growth and development
• Identify and request to attend professional workshop activities intended to increase the teacher’s instructional effectiveness
• Participate in District sponsored in-service offerings appropriate to assignment
• Perform other related duties as assigned  by the principal and/or superintendent
• Perform duties in accordance with District policy and terms set forth in the negotiated agreement
• Assist in the enforcement of school and District rules and policies
• Assumes  a share of responsibility for non-classroom student activities with the assigned workday

 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES  

 

• Maintain consistent and predictable attendance to meet the requirements of the position
• Perform other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications:

 

• BA/BS or higher degree (required) with a major in one or more of the following areas: Curriculum, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, ELA, Reading or similar area. Masters preferred.
• Experience in the following areas preferred: Explicit Reading Instruction, Systematic Literacy, ECRI, HD Word, Kendore, RTI, GLAD (K-4), Constructing Meaning (5-12), Instructional Coaching, Effective Teaching Strategies, Formative Assessment, Data Teams, Instructional Technology, AVID, etc.
• Valid Oregon Teaching License and endorsement(s) in ESOL, Bilingual Education, Reading from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission in the State of Oregon. 
• Knowledge of age appropriate teaching methods, state curriculum framework, education code, appropriate instructional subjects. 

 

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

 

1. In an eight-hour day employee may: 

• Stand/Walk [  ] None [  ] 1-4 hrs [  ] 4-6 hrs [X] 6-8 hrs 
• Sit [  ] None [  ] 1-3 hrs [  ] 3-5 hrs [X] 5-8 hrs 
• Drive [  ] None [X] 1-3 hrs [  ] 3-5 hrs [   ] 5-8 hrs 

2. Employee may use hands for repetitive: 

• [X] Single Grasping [X] Pushing and Pulling [X] Fine Manipulation 

3. Employee may use feet for repetitive movement as in operating foot controls: 

• [X] Yes [  ] No 

4. Employee may need to: 

• Bend [X] Frequently [  ] Occasionally [  ] Not at all
• Squat [X] Frequently [  ] Occasionally [  ] Not at all 
• Climb Stairs [  ] Frequently [X] Occasionally [  ] Not at all 
• Lift [  ] Frequently [X] Occasionally [  ] Not at all 

5. Lifting: 

• [  ]  Sedentary Work: Lifting 10 pounds occasionally with frequent sitting and occasional standing/walking. 
• [  ]  Light Work: Lifting 20 pounds occasionally with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.
• [X] Medium Work: Lifting 50 occasionally, 25 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.
• [  ]  Medium Heavy Work: Lifting 75 pounds occasionally, 35 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking.
• [  ]  Heavy Work: Lifting 100 pounds occasionally, 50 pounds frequently with occasional sitting and frequent standing/walking. 

The Forest Grove School District is an equal opportunity employer and provides services to the public on an equal opportunity basis and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship or marital status.

 

Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Director of Human Resources at the Forest Grove School District, 503-359-2414.