Cambridge English Teacher

The Cambridge English teacher has a rewarding and challenging task of helping students to master English language arts standards using a variety of relevant and interesting texts. Not only does this position entail the curation and transmission of western cultural treasures, but it also entails helping students to link the timeless ideas of the past with a rapidly changing present. By grounding students in the rarefied thoughts of great thinkers from past to present, the teaching of English at VMA helps students to understand what it means to be a better human being and inspires them to do so. Students must learn how to read, write, speak, and think in ways that allow them to participate effectively in any democratic process.

Job Goals

• To prepare students for a successful life by helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning
• To engage students in becoming proficient in examining the English language by developing an ability to read and analyze material, gaining further knowledge and understanding of English language features and issues
• To develop curriculum and units in which students will be encouraged to respond critically to a wide variety of texts in a range of forms, styles, and contexts, and to promote skills of communication, reading, research, and analysis
• To develop curriculum and units in which students will develop skills of writing clearly, accurately, creatively, and effectively for different purposes and audiences
• To develop students to become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, and engaged learners
• To become proficient in using the Cambridge model for designing and updating syllabuses for A-Level English

Performance Responsibilities

• Uses the latest Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses to develop and deliver lessons that promote students’ abilities to: communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when speaking and writing, learn how to use a wide range of vocabulary; Builds lessons based on preparing students for college and career success as well as successfully navigating life in the 21st century by including outcomes targeted to address students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening; use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; develop a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed
• Designs lessons that cultivate essential academic skills to gain deep subject knowledge and develop the ability to solve problems, to apply understanding to new situations and to enable learners to progress to the next stage
• Aligns instruction to meet the course goals that include developing higher-order thinking skills within subject disciplines – problem-solving, critical thinking, independent research, collaboration, and presenting arguments
• Plans inquiry-based units, interdisciplinary projects, and multi-modal projects
• Encourages students to think independently and to express original ideas
• Collaborates with other teachers locally and globally to design and share units aligned to the Cambridge programs
• Uses a variety of instructional strategies and technology in order to provide an enriching classroom experience
• Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying intellectual abilities, attitudes, and cultural background
• Provides remedial assistance for students who may experience difficulty in completing the AP course work
• Provides enrichment or lesson extension to students who seek additional language resources
• Uses formative assessments and other types of multiple measures to assess student learning and make instructional decisions and adjustments to prepare students to pass Cambridge assessments
• Instructs students in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in law and administrative regulations and procedures of the academy
• Maintains standards of student behavior to provide an orderly, productive classroom environment
• Maintains professional competence through extended training and using the resources provided by Cambridge
• Selects and uses appropriate textbooks, instructional-aids, and maintains required inventory records
• Communicates with parents and school counselors on student progress
• Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems
• Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned workday
• Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs provided by the academy and Cambridge
• Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities
• Participates cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which he/she will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines
• Performs other duties that may be assigned by the dean, principal or the academy