STEM Teacher - Elementary

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Elementary STEM Teacher

REPORTS TO: Secondary Science Coordinator and Building Principal

ASSIGNED TO: STARBASE Victory

OVER-TIME STATUS: EXEMPT PAY GRADE: 710

JOB SUMMARY: This instructional position is responsible for providing students with highly engaging STEM learning experiences within the Portsmouth Public Schools STARBASE program located within Victory Elementary School supporting the mission and goals of the STEM Grades 4-6 Programming.

This position is for a 4 year term and is structured as follows:

• Year 1: Apprentice Year- Serve as a STARBASE teacher with guidance from the Secondary Science Coordinator and assigned STARBASE mentor. Begin work on STEM certification.
• Year 2-3: Instructional/Professional Learning Team Member- Serve as a STARBASE instructor and provide division science/STEM professional learning as part of the collaborative STARBASE instructional team. Complete STEM certification.
• Year 4: Mentor/Professional Learning Advisor-Transition back into the general classroom setting. Serve as a mentor to incoming STARBASE teacher in Year 1. Serve as an advisor to the collaborative STARBASE instructional team on professional learning ideas and implementation for division staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Supports the implementation of the Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) STEM and Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways Initiative and the Virginia Standards of Learning as developed within the grades 4-6 programming.
• Develops and implements curriculum focusing on STEM-CTE Pathways with a focus on High Quality Work Based Learning incorporating career awareness, career readiness, and cross curricular connections.
• Provides professional learning support to PPS teachers in support of their understanding of STEM-CTE education.
• Functions as liaison between schools and STARBASE facilities.
• Functions as an instructor and project manager or community liaison in service of summer camp experiences and community outreach events.
• Earns from the National Institute for STEM Education, STEM Teacher Certification and accompanying micro-credentials.
• Assists with building inventory of instructional resources.
• Uses identified outcome data to revise and modify STEM-CTE programs in collaboration with the Coordinator of Secondary Science.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This is a maximum four year position with a rotation back into the division's education workforce. (Years 1-3 are assigned to STARBASE VIctory. Year four is a mentoring year with a division stipend.)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the curriculum development process.
• Demonstrated high quality instruction in the classroom.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver effective technology-infused instruction to students, teachers, administrators, and other educational personnel.
• Applies learning theory pedagogy as related to a problem-based curriculum.
• Demonstrated use of research-based instructional strategies.
• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
• Uses a team approach to accomplishing tasks.
• Stays current with technology advancements in STEM-CTE related education and career fields.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

This is work requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires fingering and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree. A Masters degree in the sciences or a CTE workforce related field is preferred for STARBASE applicants. Evidence of pursuit or proficiency (certificates, transcripts, etc.) of the following STARBASE Pathways: Health Sciences, Engineering (electrical, computer coding, mechanics of robots), and Environmental Sustainability & Resilience. Minimum of three years of successful teaching experience.

Salary Rate Range Based on the Teacher Salary Scale Effective Date 2025-2026 SY Job Description