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Religion Teacher
St. John's Episcopal School Dallas
Dallas, TX, USA
Position Title: Part-time Middle School Religion Teacher
Date Modified: April 5, 2021
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Head of Middle School
About St. John’s
St. John’s is an independent, coeducational Episcopal school serving up to 500 students in grades pre-k through eight. Located in a park-like setting on 10 acres in East Dallas, the School offers its employees and students a supportive esprit de corps fueled by a common mission – one dedicated to a program of academic excellence designed to train the mind, strengthen the character, and enrich the spirit of each student in a Christian environment. We think of St. John’s not only as a school, but also as a very special kind of community. We seek to employ people who – regardless of the role they play in the School –understand that they impact the lives of our students, families, and colleagues. The St. John’s Code calls us to model honesty and respectfulness in our relationships, responsibility in the performance of our assignments, and a caring attitude that extends to all members of our community. Do you dream of becoming the best educator you can? Of coming to work each day with a sense of mastery, belonging, and purpose? Of working with fun, collegial, collaborative, growth-minded professionals? If so, you could thrive at St. John’s.
Position Purpose
This part-time position requires the teacher to teach multiple sections of Middle School religion in a blended on-campus and virtual 1:1 iPad environment that values collaboration and differentiated instruction. Throughout Middle School, students are introduced to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, world religions, and ethical decision-making. The teacher will be responsible for teaching sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and for leading the design of an academically focused, intentional program of religious studies, which will integrate with the School’s overall educational program and be implemented in developmentally appropriate ways.
Key Accountabilities
• Teach sixth grade Old and New Testament studies, seventh grade world religions, and eighth grade ethical decision-making.
• Guide students in their development of a foundational understanding the Bible through introductory studies, an overview of historical content, and an emphasis on reading and writing about sacred texts.
• Explore religious questions that have shaped Western culture’s approach to religion from the Renaissance through the early 20 th century. Introduce world religions to expand students’ understanding of religion and to develop their perception of how religious worldviews shape lives.
• Teach a values-based, ethical decision-making process that considers personal, family, School, and community values.
• Cultivate a culturally competent religion classroom by establishing and maintaining a respectful and conscientious environment that respects the dignity of each individual.
• Participate in continuous curriculum evaluation with grade-level peers, the social studies vertical team, and the School chaplain.
• Collaborate with vertical team members to identify integration points between religious studies and social studies. The vertical team monitors and advances the quality of the overall program and the progress and success of students.
• Maintain curriculum documentation in accordance with Middle School division requirements.
• Understand and meet the developmental and academic needs of Middle School students of varying academic, social and emotional abilities. Differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs.
• Adapt instructional strategies to accommodate the needs of students with diagnosed learning differences according to the accommodations outlined on Student Support Plans.
• Provide feedback to students and parents using a variety of tools including progress and grade reports, in-person and video conferences, phone calls, emails, and one-on-one meetings. The teacher is expected to write thoughtful, meaningful, and well-articulated comments that reflect students’ progress and give specific direction for growth.
• Maintain daily lesson plans and effectively use the Student Information System, Learning Management System, and various other online tools. The teacher is expected to electronically record attendance, gradebooks, and reports.
• Attend and contribute to regular grade?level, vertical, divisional, and all-employee meetings.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned, such as lunch, recess, and carpool duty. Participate fully in the School community through club sponsorship, coaching, or other means.
• Adapt curriculum and instructional modalities as necessary based on whether learning is taking place on campus, at home, or in a hybrid/blended environment. Demonstrate technical proficiency and the ability to plan, organize, teach, and communicate in person, to a blended in-person/online class, and in synchronous and asynchronous online environments.
• Assist with the planning of and participate in field trips, whether they be virtual, day, or overnight.
Opportunities and Challenges
The Middle School religion teacher prepares students to graduate from St. John’s with a well-rounded understanding of religion, its role throughout history, how it can influence an individual’s worldview, and how to leverage one’s values in tangible ways. As a member of the academic team, the teacher helps students continue to develop effective habits, skills, and attitudes in the completion of their work. The teacher must:
• Model the St. John’s Code of respect, responsibility, honesty, and care.
• Demonstrate clarity in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrate strong listening skills.
• Embrace the School’s Episcopal identity, ethos, and commitment to respecting the dignity of each individual.
Growth Mindset
• Collaborate with colleagues on the development of curriculum and in the practice of instructional strategies.
• Leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Student Formation Team in support of students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
• Pursue growth in relevant technology skills.
• Network with peers at other local and national independent and Episcopal schools.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth. Able to meaningfully receive, reflect on, and apply feedback to one’s professional growth.
• Attend conferences and professional meetings to remain current with religious studies curriculum, instructional strategies, culturally responsive instruction, and social and emotional learning.
• How to Apply
For questions, more information, or to submit your letter of interest and resume in PDF format, please contact:
Mrs. Chris Patterson, Chief of Staff
cpatterson@stjohnsschool.org
214-328-9131
In our commitment to diversity and equity, St. John’s Episcopal School does not discriminate regarding race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, military status, and/or any protected category. This commitment extends to our employment, educational, admission, and financial-aid policies, and other school-administered programs.
Qualifications
• A Bachelor’s degree in religious studies, social studies, humanities, or a related field; an advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching religion to middle school students preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver lessons in hybrid/blended and online learning environments.
• Must meet minimum technology proficiency standards, including the ability to work in online Student Information and Learning Management Systems, to schedule and conduct classes via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and to use the Microsoft 365 suite.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift approximately 30 lbs.
• Ability to work for extended periods of time, including weeknights and weekends when required.
• Ability to work with children and adults in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Ability to work in on-campus, home, field trip and overnight trip settings