Substitute Teacher: General Studies and Jewish Studies

 Job Title: Substitute Teacher: General Studies & Jewish Studies

WAGE: $20/hour: 1-2 Hours; $100 Flat Rate: 2-4 Hours; $200 Flat Rate: 4+ Hours

ABOUT PJA: As a Jewish Day School, we strive to ensure an academically rich environment which honors the whole child. Portland Jewish Academy (PJA) nurtures and inspires Jewish engagement, kavod (respect), and responsibility for the world in which we live. 

Guided by our middot (values) and our mission, we share a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. With Jewish life at our center, we aspire to ensure a genuine sense of belonging in all members of our community. We honor and teach the importance of the vast expansiveness of human diversity.

As a school community, we are committed to creating and sustaining an accessible, supportive, welcoming, and compassionate environment for all. We recognize and respond to individual and institutional prejudices, both overt and subtle. We demonstrate our commitment to tikkun olam (repair the world) through anti-bias curriculum, admission and employment practices, and social action. We are committed to ongoing professional learning to align our practices with our values. We recognize that the advancement of these goals is a process, and we choose to bring courage, reflection and curiosity to this work.

Our unique curriculum combines interdisciplinary learning, community involvement, and foreign language acquisition - all with a values-based approach. We offer our students many opportunities for partnership and collaboration throughout the school community. Students at PJA are encouraged to think critically, independently, and creatively.

JOB SUMMARY: The Substitute Classroom Teacher is responsible to follow lesson plans and ensure continuity in classroom lessons and activities while the classroom instructor is away. This position maintains an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, social and emotional development of students in classrooms and in a variety of other school-related settings.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: (These examples represent the essential functions of the position. They are not, however, inclusive of all the duties the position may be assigned to perform.)

• Assume responsibility for continuing the instructional process in an assigned classroom and grade level. Execute lesson plans as written; create and maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning; encourage student enthusiasm for the learning process and the development of good study habits. Provide progress and interim reports as required.
• Manage classroom environment. Apply reasonable rules of classroom behavior and appropriate discipline techniques within PJA guidelines. Take necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, material and facilities. Share responsibility during the school day for supervision of students in all areas of the school. Ensure that students are supervised when circumstances require a brief absence from the assignment.
• Evaluate accomplishments of students as required using multiple assessment methods. Respect the confidentiality of records and information regarding students, parents, and Instructors in accordance with accepted professional ethics and State and Federal laws.
• Communicates with the absent teacher as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates may bring any combination of experience and training that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. This would typically include:

• Related bachelor’s degree.
• Responsible experience as a teacher in an independent day school, public school, or Jewish Studies Program.
• Current certification is desired.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of teaching.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction theory.
• Ability to attend to students for extended periods of time in a variety of settings.
• Ability to teach and interact effectively with children.
• Ability to meet and deal courteously and effectively with other teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and the public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to move about the PJA/MJCC campus including climbing stairs 
• Ability to sit at a computer and keyboard for extended periods of time
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis 
• Ability to communicate clearly with students, parents, and groups of individuals 
• Ability to attend off-site meetings that may require reliable form of transportation

PJA is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Portland Jewish Academy (PJA) is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, compensating, and promoting the best-qualified individuals for positions at all levels in the organization. We provide Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made based on how an individual's skills and qualifications meet the responsibilities of the position for which they have applied. An individual will be free from discrimination based on characteristics protected by law such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related physical, mental, or sensory disability, or other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local laws. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated. PJA will make reasonable accommodations, including modification of organizational policies and procedures in appropriate cases for qualified individuals with disabilities if it can do so without undue hardship.