English Language Arts Reading Teacher: Upper Academy

Position Description: Upper Academy English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies Teacher

Position Summary:

The Social Studies Reading Teacher at ScholarMade Achievement Place is responsible for teaching both ELA and Social Studies in middle grades. This teacher will develop students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while providing an understanding of historical events, civics, geography, and global issues. The ideal candidate will be passionate about integrating literacy with Social Studies content, helping students gain the ability to analyze texts and think critically about history and current events. The teacher will also focus on building strong reading comprehension and writing skills aligned with Arkansas standards for both disciplines.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Instructional Planning and Delivery:
• Plan and deliver engaging lessons in both ELA and Social Studies that align with Arkansas state standards, emphasizing reading comprehension, vocabulary development, writing, and historical analysis.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies such as discussions, debates, group work, project-based learning, and direct instruction to deepen students' understanding of literature, history, and social science concepts.
• Integrate Social Studies content (historical events, geography, civics, and economics) into reading comprehension and writing tasks.
• Develop interdisciplinary units that draw connections between literature and historical or social issues, fostering students’ critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Reading Comprehension and Writing:
• Teach reading strategies that support students’ ability to analyze both fiction and non-fiction texts, including Social Studies sources such as primary and secondary documents.
• Guide students in writing across genres, including analytical essays, research reports, narratives, and persuasive writing that incorporate Social Studies themes.
• Focus on grammar, sentence structure, and writing mechanics in ELA while reinforcing these skills in writing assignments related to Social Studies.
• Encourage students to use textual evidence and historical facts to support their arguments and interpretations in both written and oral assignments.
• Social Studies Instruction:
• Teach historical, geographic, civic, and economic concepts that help students understand the world and develop civic awareness.
• Incorporate discussions about current events and encourage students to make connections between historical topics and contemporary issues.
• Facilitate inquiry-based learning that allows students to explore Social Studies topics through research, critical questioning, and problem-solving.
• Vocabulary Development and English Conventions:
• Support vocabulary development through explicit instruction, using words encountered in both Social Studies and ELA texts.
• Teach students how to infer the meaning of new words from context and use root words, prefixes, and suffixes to build vocabulary.
• Provide targeted instruction in grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions to ensure students produce clear, coherent, and grammatically correct work in both subject areas.
• Classroom Management and Culture:
• Create a structured and inclusive classroom environment that promotes respect, responsibility, and academic excellence.
• Implement classroom management strategies aligned with ScholarMade’s emotional intelligence and behavior expectations.
• Encourage student engagement through active participation in discussions, group projects, and independent reading and research assignments.
• Data-Driven Instruction:
• Use formative and summative assessments to track student progress in both ELA and Social Studies, and adjust instruction as needed to meet students' individual needs.
• Collaborate with colleagues to analyze student data, identify learning gaps, and develop interventions to support student growth in reading, writing, and Social Studies comprehension.
• Monitor students’ academic progress and communicate with parents and guardians regularly to ensure they are informed of their child’s development.
• Collaboration and Professional Development:
• Collaborate with other ELA and Social Studies teachers to plan cross-curricular projects and align curriculum.
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance instructional practices.
• Work closely with Special Education and English Language Learner (ELL) teams to differentiate instruction for students with diverse needs.
• Family Engagement:
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians about student progress, providing strategies for supporting learning at home.
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences and engage families through newsletters and school events focused on literacy and history.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Social Studies, Education, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Certification: Valid Arkansas teaching certification in Middle School English and/or Social Studies.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 2-3 years of teaching experience in English Language Arts and/or Social Studies at the middle school level.
  • Experience integrating Social Studies content into reading comprehension and writing instruction is highly desirable.
• Skills:
  • Strong content knowledge in both English Language Arts and Social Studies, with the ability to create engaging, interdisciplinary lessons.
  • Proficiency in teaching writing mechanics, reading comprehension, and historical analysis.
  • Effective classroom management skills and the ability to create a positive and structured learning environment.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to create a supportive and academically challenging classroom environment that promotes critical thinking and literacy.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in lesson planning, assessing student progress, and managing student data.
• Passion for teaching both English and Social Studies and a commitment to fostering academic and social-emotional growth in middle school students.
• Flexibility and adaptability in meeting the needs of diverse learners, including students with special needs or English Language Learners.

Compensation:

Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, Arkansas Teacher Retirement, and professional development opportunities.