Social Studies Teacher
About Our School
Sanford High School is located in York County in southern Maine 45 minutes south of Portland and less than 2 hours north of Boston. We are very proud of our state-of-the-art, 360,000 square foot facility that intertwines High School and Vocational programming and includes a Performing Arts Center and athletic complex. We are a comprehensive pathways high school serving over 1,100 students in grades nine through twelve, with a growingly diverse student population that reflects our community. Sanford High School operates on a semester block schedule and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) and the Maine State Department of Education. Sanford High School's Program of Studies offers a comprehensive curriculum of approximately 150 courses and 22 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Our mission is to cultivate students' potential through career pathway communities where students are empowered to find focus and direction in their learning experiences, in order to prosper and plan for life. Our goal is for every student to achieve their own version of success.
Job Description
Sanford High School is seeking an energetic, dedicated, and charismatic Social Studies Teacher whose relationships with students will help to enhance their educational experience. The desired candidate will strive to provide rich, ample, and diverse learning experiences for students, while also providing frequent opportunities for real-life connections. Qualified candidates should thrive working in a collaborative professional environment to develop students' knowledge and understanding of world cultures and cultural evolution; to develop skills in research of social orders; and develop an understanding of the existence and importance of geographical, historical, cultural and political factors that influence the development of world societies, socio-economic systems and political systems, as well as their inter-relationship and interdependence. We are looking for a teacher who values making impactful connections with students, has excellent communication skills, the ability to facilitate group work, and experience using technology to enhance instruction. Interested candidates should be willing to teach a variety of courses to students grades 9 through 12, and opportunities exist for experienced teachers to also teach Advanced Placement courses as well.
Essential Functions
- Develops and administers Social Studies curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives.
- Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and translates lesson plans into learning experiences to develop unit organization around historical problems, challenge students, and best utilize the available time for instruction.
- Teaches knowledge of social studies, incorporating history, geography, economics, political science, systems of government, education, responsible citizenship, and humanities.
- Develops students' understanding of various racial, ethnic, religious and political groups and mores, as well as socio-economic status, and the influence of various factors on human rights and freedom.
- Fosters an understanding of the continuity and patterns of human behavior through the ages, and an awareness of the complexity and interrelationship of local, state, national and world problems and approaches to their solution(s).
- Demonstrates the manner in which the past provides a comparative basis from which to evaluate the nature of current issues and predict courses of action for the future, with continuous cross reference to contemporary matters of importance.
- Develops students' research skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to make critical value judgments and contribute to the thoughtful exchange of ideas, through a variety of reading, writing, group discussion and presentation assignments to stimulate self-reliance in problem-solving and drawing conclusions.
- Promotes students' critical analysis of the effect media has on the flow of information and shaping of public discourse, and encourage students to seek out and compare alternative sources of information concerning the key issues of their world.
- Conducts ongoing assessment of student learning and progress, and modifies instructional methods to fit individual student's needs, including students with special needs; conducts individual and small group instruction as needed.
- Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn of current developments in the educational field by attending seminars, workshops or professional meetings, or by conducting research.
- Organizes and maintains a system for accurate and complete record-keeping, grading, and reporting for all student activities, achievement and attendance as required by district procedures and applicable laws.
- Encourages parental involvement in students' education and ensures effective communication with students and parents.
- Ensures that student conduct conforms to the school's standards and school district policies, and establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom.
- Coordinates with other professional staff members, especially within grade level, and participates in faculty meetings and committees.
Knowledge, Abilities
- Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
- Knowledge of world history in a variety of sub-topic, including history, geography, sociology, economics, political science, systems of government, education, responsible citizenship, anthropology, and humanities.
- Knowledge of humanity's major problems and approaches to their solution(s) in the past.
- Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
- Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
- Ability to organize and coordinate work.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
- Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.