Momentum Academy Teacher, Science

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the school principal and/or assistant principal, the Secondary Science Teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for all students. Secondary Science Teachers provide an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of individuals to ensure success for every student. Secondary Science Teachers are responsible for developing, selecting, and differentiating instructional plans and materials based on the HCPSS curriculum to meet the needs of all students. Momentum Academy teachers serve in a short-term, intensive setting that emphasizes restorative practices, family engagement, close collaboration with home schools, and continuous professional learning to support successful student transitions. Momentum Academy teachers will be expected to communicate with assigned home school transition staff weekly and spend one week a quarter supporting students and staff on-site at home schools. During these designated times, Momentum Academy teachers will work with administration to flex start and end times to align with contractual agreements and home school start and end times.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an applicable field of education.

Certification/Licensure:

• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education Professional certificate or license in one the following areas:
• Science 7-12
• Biology 7-12
• Chemistry 7-12
• Earth/Science 7-12
• Environmental Science 7-12
• Physical Science 7-12
• Physics 7-12
• Middle School: Science 4-9

Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process for educator licensure with the Maryland State Department of Education in addition to uploading all required materials to your HCPSS employment application.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Three previous years of teaching experience.

• Experience in an alternative education setting.
• Training in Restorative Justice and/or Culturally Responsive Teaching practices

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Plan and implement instructional programs that adhere to system-wide goals and priorities and meet the needs, interests and abilities of students.

• Prepare and document appropriate lesson plans for classes assigned, based upon HCPSS curricula, to achieve instructional objectives and achievement of curriculum goals.
• Plan for and utilize flexible instructional strategies, multiple modalities, and targeted interventions to address significant academic gaps while maintaining alignment to HCPSS curriculum and standards.

• Create an instructional environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of students.

• Establish learning objectives consistent with student needs, requirements of the HCPSS curriculum framework, and knowledge of human growth and development.
• Creates a classroom environment that reflects a strong understanding of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of middle school learners and uses this knowledge to design instruction, routines, and relationships that are developmentally responsive and trauma-informed.

• Provide an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities.

• Take all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.

• Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct.

• Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. Communicate standards, achievements and areas for improvement to students and families.

• Provide timely and meaningful feedback to families and students.

• Make provisions for being available to communicate proactively, respectfully, and consistently with caregivers and participate in family academies, conferences, and engagement opportunities aligned to the community school framework.

• Plan and oversee purposeful assignments for paraeducators, student assistants, and/or classroom volunteers.

• Provide non-evaluative input on paraeducator and/or student assistants’ job performance as requested.

• Establish relationships with administrators, curricular office staff, colleagues, students, families and the school community that reflect recognition of and respect for every individual.

• Appraise his/her own effectiveness and demonstrate successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness.

• Participate in and share responsibility for the safe and orderly operation of schools.

• Attend staff meetings, district professional learning events and serve on staff committees when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

• Knowledge of the HCPSS curriculum for the grade/content range of the position.

• Provide differentiated instructional techniques that inspire, motivate, and meet the individual educational needs of all students.

• Develop a nurturing atmosphere and educational environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of all students.

• Knowledgeable in effective research-based classroom management practices.

• Skilled in preparing and implementing lesson plans.

• Skilled in modifying curriculum for students with special needs
• Skilled in communicating with students, their families, administrators, and other stakeholders.

• Knowledge of and skill in the use of web-based digital tools, such as Google applications.

• Ability to strategically and appropriately integrate technology into the delivery of instruction.

• Work collaboratively with administrators, colleagues, central office and school-based staff, parents and community members.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
 

Supplemental Application Questions

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.

Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application.

1) Please describe your experience working in an alternative education or non-traditional school setting. Include the student populations served, your role, and up to two examples of strategies you used to support student engagement, behavior, or academic growth.

2) Please describe your training and application of Restorative Justice and/or Culturally Responsive Teaching practices. Please provide up to two examples that demonstrate how you implemented these approaches in a classroom or school setting and the outcomes achieved.

3) Please describe your experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Include examples of working with administrators, student services staff, or support personnel to address student needs, behavior support, or instructional planning.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit. The current salary ranges for this position are on the 10-Month Teacher salary scale. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA Master Agreement which considers education and relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.

Retirement

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact (Jackita Moore and Jackita_Moore@hcpss.org) OR humanresources@hcpss.org.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.