Language Arts, Project Based Learning Secondary Teacher

Welcome to Spring Lake Park Schools! We are a vibrant school community serving about 6,200 students from the suburbs of Blaine, Fridley and Spring Lake Park, in the northern Minneapolis- St. Paul metropolitan area. Our district purpose — “High expectations, high achievement for all. No excuses” – provides our focus to meet the unique and varied needs of each student.

Spring Lake Park Schools is recognized for our commitment to personalized learning, creating a culture of innovation and creativity through human-centered design thinking. We are working to create a system – a culture with a methodology and set of processes – where teachers and staff have the freedom, flexibility and invitation to design new ways of learning centered around deepening student engagement to continuously improve student success.

About The Lighthouse:

The Lighthouse is a school for gifted and insatiable learners aligned to learning experiences that are:

• Inquiry-based, and inclusive of rigorous learning

• Designed to promote self-direction and collaboration through project-based learning

• Facilitated and guided by nurturing staff who provide high expectations, student voice and choice, and challenge

• Personalized experiences so that each student feels valued, inspired, challenged, and has a sense of belonging

The successful Lighthouse Teacher firmly believes:

• all students can and will learn, and that their learning can be directly influenced by focusing on factors over which we have control;

• in the need to work interdependently with teachers, school, and district leaders, aligning the work of adults around personalizing student learning by meeting the needs, interests, and aspirations of students so that each student feels valued and has a sense of belonging, leading to academic success;

• in the need to work in partnership with staff to continuously enhance student and family engagement, creating the conditions for equity, excellence and student success; and

• in the value of professional learning, having demonstrated a commitment to ongoing, personal learning, as well as systemic professional learning.

Primary Responsibilities

The successful Lighthouse Teacher will create and foster positive relationships with students,  and partner with students to design  and implement inquiry-based learning experiences. These inquiry projects are aligned to Spring Lake Park’s academic and career and life competencies, ensuring student growth and success in school. Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop multi-disciplinary units

• Guide students through co-created inquiry projects

• Engage in student goal-setting to leverage student projects and learning experiences to demonstrate learning in multiple areas

• Create multidisciplinary unit designs that embed academic and career and life competencies

• Provide individual and small group instruction to identified students as needed

• Plan and monitor graduation requirements with high school students

• Communicate with families on an ongoing basis

• Work collaboratively with colleagues as a member of the team of Lighthouse School

Preferences

Preference given to those with experience in project-based learning or inquiry based learning, particularly at the secondary level.  Candidates with a Certificate in Gifted Education or a Master’s degree in Gifted education preferred, but are also open to candidates who are willing to learn more about gifted education. We strongly prefer candidates who have exhibited excellence in collaboration with colleagues and families, have a creative and flexible approach to new ideas and new ways of working, have advanced skills in using learning technology purposefully, and communicate clearly in a supportive and encouraging manner with families, students, and colleagues. 

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have earned a B.A. or B.S. degree and hold current Minnesota State licensure in Secondary Education. Additional demonstrated qualifications include: commitment to the equitable education of all students; creative planning and organizational skills; highly effective interpersonal skills. 

SALARY:

Highly competitive salary and benefits, based on region 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Individuals who wish to be considered for this position must apply online at http://www.applitrack.com/district16/onlineapp/. Applications will be reviewed as received and qualified candidates will be interviewed until the position is filled.

QUESTIONS:

With questions, please contact Coordinator of Gifted Programming and Lighthouse School, Lisa Cisewski, lcisew@district16.org  or 763-600-5200.

Equity is one of Spring Lake Park Schools’ core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first to ensure college and career readiness. A diverse workforce fuels innovation and allows us to better understand, communicate with, and educate our students. Spring Lake Park Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, sexual preference, disability, or status with regard to public assistance.