Master Teacher High School

The Chicago-based network of UNO Charter Schools was established by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO) which, for decades, has recognized the unwavering promise of Hispanic families and their immigrant roots.  Core to their success as a community in this country are solid family values, a powerful work ethic, and a strong commitment to education.  UNO transforms Hispanic communities by challenging them to achieve their full potential through learning and civic involvement.

UNO Charter Schools bring a ‘no excuses’ philosophy to public education that couples its vision and understanding of Latino families with effective school management, structured learning environments, and high expectations of its families to ensure that all students achieve academic and eventual economic success regardless of their background.

At UNO Charter Schools, academic excellence is not a hope-it is an expectation.

TITLE: High School Master Teacher

UNO knows that the key to student success is the adults in their lives. We believe in a call to service and a call for service; service that reflects pride, passion, and respect. In this manner, UNO sets out to find only the most talented, dedicated, visionary adults, capable to develop character by fostering real relationships with students. UNO believes in employing quality people, of proven character who believe in using meaningful evaluative techniques to assess learning, who are consistently raising expectations, and who place supports in place to ensure students achieve mastery.

DESCRIPTION:

The Master Teacher role is unique and is to guide and assist all teachers in implementing the UNO Charter High School curriculum and in the use of effective, data-driven instructional methods. Master Teachers facilitate the development of teachers’ skills and knowledge, building capacity to achieve the school’s goals. The UNO teachers are unique in that they realize success is built on relationships. They focus their work on student learning. Furthermore, they whole-heartedly believe that all students can learn and demonstrate that by engaging principals of distributed leadership and distributed counseling. UNO expects that all adults understand that it is everyone’s responsibility to develop students, both personally and academically.

JOB GOALS:      

Encourage and support the professional development of each and every teacher, regardless of experience.Deliver effective, high quality, and rigorous instruction in content areas to maximize students’ potential for intellectual and social/emotional growth, regardless of academic history.Maximize student learning by embracing innovative instructional strategies, designing new and challenging curricula, and aggressively seeking new ways to engage students in life-long learning.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

Three (3) to five (5) years of teaching experience (preferred)One (1) to three (3) years of administrative or management experience (preferred)Candidate must be able to demonstrate academic progress of students under his/her leadership and must be able to articulate the methods used to achieve those results

Education

Bachelor degree in content area or educationMasters degree in education (preferred)

Certificates

Illinois Type 9 or Type 25 or equivalent (preferred)National Board Teaching Certification (optional)Type 75 or Type 26 (optional)

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES:

Successful candidates will possess the following qualities:

Willingness to achieve academic success for all studentsInitiative to address problems creativelyDynamic, change agent to engage adults, Master Teachers, and students into reflective and excellent practiceCommitment to the UNO Charter Schools mission and UNO visionAbility and willingness to achieve academic success for all students.Ability to multi-task and work under pressure to produce excellent results and meet deadlines

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.                               Teaching and Advising

a.       Employ team-teaching techniques or model lessons that demonstrate excellence in teaching to maximize student learning

b.       Serve as advisor to one group of students per year

2.       Student Achievement 

a.       Monitor and assist teachers with lesson planning and preparation

b.       Focus teachers on student performance by monitoring student learning trends using program assessments, examples of student work, NWEA and standardized test data, and other data gathered via UNO High School data management system

c.        Guide teacher development in acquiring and utilizing differentiated instruction methods to ensure that all learners are appropriately challenged and supported

d.       Ensure that teachers set clear, measurable, attainable, and rigorous performance goals for their individual students and classes as a whole

e.        Collaborate with grade-level and department members to identify standards-based curriculum

objectives and develop a comprehensive plan for implementation and evaluation

f.        Use student performance data, collected via UNO’s data system and student work, to refine, update, and tailor curriculum, instruction and assessment.

g.        Document clear, measurable, attainable and rigorous performance goals for individual students as well as classes as a whole, to evaluate effectiveness or teaching strategies and learning patterns

3.       Teacher Development

a.       Guide teachers in the implementation of core and advanced academic programs and the utilization of supplemental materials to meet all learning standards (Illinois, ACT College Readiness, Success for All, CASEL, and SCANS)

b.       Participate in the orientation and induction of teachers, in collaboration with the School Director

c.        Design and deliver professional development workshops for teachers

d.       Connect teachers to instructional resources (books, conferences, etc.) to facilitate teacher reflection on best practices for continuous professional growth and improvement

e.        Build the capacity of grade-level and department teams to collaboratively plan curriculum, instruction, and assessment using pertinent data 

f.        Provide instructional coaching to teachers that includes classroom observations, modeling of lessons, one-to-one conferences, facilitation of peer observations, and other related strategies

g.        Actively track teacher progress toward defined, individualized goals and communicate to High School Director

h.       Keep up to date with current educational research on curriculum, instruction, and classroom management and encourage staff to do the same.

4.       Operations and Compliance

a.       Assist with the requisition of appropriate instructional materials for the school

b.       Assist in the management of the school’s data management systems for school records and reports

5.       School Environment

a.       Promote high academic standards for all students based on UNO Charter High School policies

b.       Maintain a high level of professionalism and promote the same level of professionalism for other staff members based on UNO Charter High School policies

c.        Maintain an open line of communication with teachers to promote a positive, collegial atmosphere

d.       Support the health, safety, and welfare of students and staff within the school

6.       Parent and Community Relations

a.       Support teachers in communicating with parents effectively and efficiently

b.       Assist the Director in promoting the participation of students, parents and staff in the UNO Charter School Network, and UNO initiated activities

c.        Conduct home visits

7.       Leadership

a.       Uphold and promote the mission of the UNO Charter Schools Network and UNO High School vision among students, staff, parents, and the community

b.       Provide mentoring for new and current staff

c.        Work with High School Director and other staff to address all major areas of school concern

d.       Lead assigned committee(s) and task force initiatives

e.        Work with staff to develop and implement new programs that foster success for all students

f.        Assist the High School Director with projects, as requested

8.                               Other

a.       Perform other work-related duties as deemed necessary and requested by the School Director

b.       Master Teachers are accountable to and report directly to the School Director.