JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

QUALIFICATIONS: MUST HAVE A MINIMUM OF BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION. HOLD A VALID TEACHING CERTIFICATE IN THEIR TEACHING AREA. SUCH ALTERNATIVES TO THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS AS HE BOARD MAY FIND APPROPRIATE AND ACCEPTABLE.

REPORTS TO: BUILDING PRINCIPAL OR HIS DESIGNEE

JOB GOAL: TO DEVELOP IN EACH PUPIL AN APPRECIATION OF AMERICAN IDEALS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE; TO DEVELOP PROFICIENCY IN THE USE OF SOCIAL STUDIES INQUIRY SKILLS AND CONCEPTS; TO MOTIVATE EACH PUPIL TO UNDERSTAND AND EXERCISE HIS RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CITIZEN; TO DEVELOP UNDERSTANDING OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND POLITICAL FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORLD REGIONS; TO ENCOURAGE PUPILS TO DEVELOP SOUND OPINIONS BASED ON STUDY OF FACTS CONCERNING OPERATIONS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
2. Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and
Abilities of the students.
3. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity
and interests of the students.
4. Prepares for classes assigned, and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of
immediate superior.
5. Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
6. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goal and - in harmony with
the goals - establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
7. Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the
physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals
or student groups involved.
8. Strives to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education and
instructional goals and objectives.
9. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports
as required.
10. Diagnoses the learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of
district specialists as required.
11. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials,
and facilities.
12. Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and
administrative regulation.
13. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and
conduct, and, for the classroom behavior and procedure and maintains order in the classroom
in a fair and just manner.
14. Makes provisions for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes
outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms.
15. Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and,
cooperatively with department heads, evaluates their job performance.
16. Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
17. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committees as required.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Teaches courses in social studies, history, geography, American government, political
science, or humanities to secondary pupils, utilizing course of study adopted by the Board
of Education and other appropriate learning activities.
2. Instructs pupils in citizenship and basic subject matter specified in state law and administrative
regulations and procedures of the school district.
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3. Develops a balanced social studies program involving factual background material, materials
on current events, discussion time, and other appropriate activities designed to encourage
pupils to develop skills and attitudes, draw conclusions, achieve improved interpersonal
relationships, and make value judgments based on scientific methods of inquiry.
4. Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt to curriculum to the needs of
the pupils with varying intellectual abilities, attitudes, and cultural backgrounds.
5. Develops knowledge of the purpose, structure and operation of the American governmental and
economic system, and the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.
6. Makes current material from the mass media available to pupils; plans and guides discussions
of current problems against background of geographical environment and history of area being
studied.
7. Develops an understanding of the contributions of racial, religious, and political groups of
American culture.
8. Develops knowledge of political and economic systems of other nations and their influence of
personal freedom, education, and living standards.
9. Encourages pupils to become aware of the complexity and interrelations of local, state,
national, and world problems.
10. Maintains standards of pupil behavior to provide an orderly, productive classroom
environment.
11. Maintains professional competence through in-service education.
12. Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids, and maintains required inventory records;
may request resource speakers and field trips.
13. Communicates with parents and school counselors to discuss pupil progress.
14. Identifies pupil needs, and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping pupils
solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
15. Supervises pupils in out-of-classroom activities as assigned.
16. Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs.
17. Participates in faculty committees and sponsorship of pupil activities.
18. Participates cooperatively with the principal or his designee to develop the method by which
the teacher will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Number of days in the school calendar. Salary to be established by the Board.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Performance Based Teacher Evaluation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:
1. Must have adequate vision in order to maintain discipline, grade student assignments, keep
student records, etc.
2. Must be able to speak distinctly in order that students adequately understand academic
instruction and that meaningful oral interaction may take place.
3. Must have adequate hearing in order to maintain student discipline, evaluate student responses,
be aware of emergency situations, etc.
4. Must have the use of at least one hand and arm in order to effectively communicate in written
fashion, to operate audio visual material, to maintain adequate student records,