Job Description

Calvary Christian School Teachers

Calvary Christian School Teachers are responsible for the development, implementation, and assessment of the Calvary curriculum. We understand curriculum to mean “a path of learning,” rather than a published instructional method. Our method of curriculum design is based on core skills, dispositions, and content that we have determined are necessary to cultivate thoughtful, articulate, precise, winsome thinkers and communicators. A Calvary Teacher should not expect to be handed sets of packaged “curriculum” to teach through. A Calvary Teacher is working towards becoming a Master Teacher who is knowledgeable and able to direct students in the various subjects for his/her grade level, but will also understand how their teaching fits into the whole.

Calvary Christian School Teachers are expected to thoughtfully approach the core skills appropriate for their assigned grade level with an eye for the teacher’s part in the overall scope of the curriculum. For example, a kindergarten teacher will teach phonics explicitly, understanding that these foundational skills will be continued in 1^st and on into the upper grades. The teaching of logical thinking skills can be left for later grades in which the developmental abilities of the child have advanced. A Calvary Teacher is comfortable with his/her place in the scope and sequence and does not fret about what outside sources say a child should know.

Qualities

• Mature in Christian faith, understanding, and character
• Knowledgeable and passionate about his or her subject, level of student, and art of instruction and engagement
• Well established or growing in application of laws of teaching and management of classroom culture
• Gracious and truthful with parents—able to have hard conversations but do so with a love and compassion for others
• Collegial—seeks the best for every member of the Calvary team, including support staff, fellow teachers, and leaders and shares ideas openly and in an encouraging way
• Committed to the development of self

Skills

• Able to communicate precisely and winsomely in both verbal and written forms
• Able to integrate subjects in a meaningful way
• Able to recognize, develop, and integrate truth, goodness and beauty into all                                  curriculum
• Able to measure growth in students and communicate need for improvement
• Able to problem-solve but willing to seek help

Job Responsibilities

            Curriculum Implementation and Design

Calvary Christian School is in a stage of re-establishing its presence as a school of excellence. As we define what we mean by excellence, we are making significant changes to our approach to curriculum. This means that Calvary Teachers must be prepared to engage in curriculum development and design, not simply curriculum delivery. A Calvary Teacher must be a reader and must be passionate about knowing his/her students, their developmental abilities and needs, and their particular learning styles. A Calvary Teacher must first possess a growth mindset and foster that same mindset in his/her students. The curriculum for Calvary Christian School is distinctly Christian, rooted in the seven liberal arts, and respectful of the developmental abilities of children. Our curriculum is rigorous in that it prepares students well to efficiently and effectively learn. This does not mean it is heavy in homework. By working with the grain of a child’s development, our students find joy in the learning process rather than dread. We seek to entice students to learn rather than prod or require.

Calvary Teachers should be familiar with the following books as they relate to curriculum. These books may be assigned to be read more than once in one’s tenure at Calvary.

• The Seven Laws of Teacher, John Milton Gregory
• The Case for Classical Christian Education, Douglass Wilson
• The Well-trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
• Marva Collins’ Way, Marva Collins and Civia Tamarkin

Classroom Culture

A Calvary Teacher is responsible for the ecology of the classroom. This does not mean that he/she creates rules for students to obey, though rules are necessary. A Calvary

Teacher thoughtfully considers all aspects of the classroom culture, from the turning in of work to the way visitors are greeted when they enter the room. Calvary Christian School is a school that values a growth mindset. By this, we believe that all students are able to grow and that some messages of a performance orientation actually discourage growth for some. The teacher’s job is to cultivate a classroom culture in which students enjoy learning and are enthusiastic to participate in the learning process. Teaching has not occurred unless learning does, however, learning can take place in the absence of teaching. This is an important precept to keep in mind when developing classroom management standards—maximizing learning is the ultimate goal of classroom management.

To understand classroom culture, Calvary Teachers should be come familiarized with the concepts in the following books:

• The First Days of School, Harry K. and Rosemary T. Wong
• Mindset, Carol Dweck
• Flow, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi

Professional Standards

• Begin classes on time and use time effectively 
• Maintain accurate records that reflect growth, effort, and performance 
• Support the school in general and our individual members 
• Keep a neat and orderly classroom that conveys learning, beauty, and organization 
• Be punctual for meetings, duties, and other obligations 
• Assist in the general supervision of students, care of the campus, and public relations for the school 
• Support other teachers in word and deed and support the direction of the leadership team 
• Enforce the rules, philosophy, and spirit of the school with love and truth 
• Continually seek growth of self as a person and a professional 
• Develop alternative modes of assessment in order to avoid boredom in students and to maximize engagement in learning for its own good 
• Openly share knowledge and talents with other teachers 
• Communicate winsomely and with compassion to parents 
• Dress professionally 
• Practice active and engaged supervision of students 

Public Relations

All Calvary Teachers are representatives of the school and are expected to promote the school publicly and privately. Any disagreement with the vision or leadership should be addressed privately yet openly. There is absolutely no room for institutional intrigue or gossip amongst the school staff. Calvary Teachers are the front line in regards to promoting a positive image. The operative word when it comes to parent relations is that we seek to “delight” our parents. This means that we work very hard to communicate our vision in a positive and attractive way.

Teacher Attendance

The best teacher in the classroom is always the one hired for the position. Substitutes are necessary for illness and personal business, but we should never assume that the same teaching takes place when the classroom teacher is absent. For this reason, we limit our days off to five in addition to a generous holiday schedule and traditional summer. Teachers are encouraged to manage days off so as not to exceed the allotted sick/personal days.

Other events outside the school day are requirements for teachers. These include the following:

• Teacher Dedication Sunday—September, all teachers are dedicated by our pastoral staff for the work of Christian education for the year.
• Back-to-School Night—Held annually in September. All classroom teachers present about the curriculum, classroom culture, and expectations. Middle School teachers should provide a classroom syllabus.
• Light the Night—Calvary Christian School joins with Calvary Church to host a community outreach for Santa Ana. Students and teachers are encouraged to attend to help with booths.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences—Formal conference days are scheduled at the end of the first quarter. School is not in session at conference time, but teachers are required to hold regular school hours.
• Christmas Program—The Christmas program is an important community event that requires participation and attendance by all faculty. Teachers are expected to supervise their own classes during rehearsals and performance.
• Family Math, History, or Science Night—Though not offered every year, this night is usually in the spring and should be attended even if this is not the teacher’s subject area.

• PTF Activities—PTF-sponsored activities include the Pancake Breakfast kickoff, Walk-a-thon, Great Americans Day, Staff Appreciation Week, Ice Cream Social and other community oriented activities. Teachers are expected to support our

PTF in the work of developing our Calvary community and raising funds for our school.

• Annual CCS Gala—As a privately funded school, financial development efforts are necessary for school health. The annual Gala event is the main source of scholarship funding and other major school improvements. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate through donations, recruitment, attendance, and overall support of this and other advancement events.
• Graduation—Though primarily the responsibility of the Middle School Faculty, all faculty members are required to attend as we all play a role in the development and nurture of our graduates. All faculty are included in the processional and some elementary faculty members will be included in the ceremony.