Computer Science Teacher Jobs in Laurel, MD (NOW HIRING)

Washington Leadership Academy is a high-performing public charter high school in Washington, D.C. that prepares students to thrive in the world and change it for the better. WLA has been the subject of national attention in education innovation, including as the awardee of the prestigious XQ Super Schools Prize. For more information, see coverage in The Washington Post and the 74 and our overview video.

Background:

Washington Leadership Academy (WLA) is a world-class college prep high school in Washington D.C. that prepares students to thrive in the world and to change it for the better. WLA employs college prep academics, computer science instruction, and real world experiences to ensure that students achieve their full potential. WLA fosters a community of wellness where students and staff members feel like family. WLA is one of 10 schools in the nation to be recognized as a “Super School” and awarded a $10 million grant to redesign high school from the ground up.

Expectations of the role:

• Mindsets
• Deep commitment to the inherent power of our young people and to school as a place where students are encouraged to grow and nurture that leadership and power
• Students are deserving of warmth and respect from adults at all times
• Students are younger humans without a fully-developed prefrontal cortex; it is our responsibility to help them grow, even when it might be hard for us
• The learning environment is a collaboration between students and teachers, all of whom bring passion, experiences, and curiosity
• Grades are the responsibility of both the teacher (for engaging students) and the student (for taking those opportunities to engage), and should be primarily a reflection of mastery rather than compliance
• Restorative justice is crucial as a strategy for growth for our young people, and it is individualized
• Teaching
• The Engage + Danielson Rubrics, available here, are what will be used to measure teacher performance
• Facilitate a student-led learning environment in accordance with the WLA Academic Vision, which includes:
• Critical thinking
• Student choice and agency
• Mastery-based grading
• Authentic, collaborative relationships
• Implement a coherent, research-based curriculum
• Variation from the curriculum is allowed if it is carefully planned and there is thoughtful integration of the critical standards that students need to learn
• Utilize tech tools to differentiate instruction for students and leverage the capacity of the teacher
• Document all syllabi, lesson plans, assignments, rubrics, and other instructional materials and methods
• Keep families informed of grades below a C in time for them to intervene prior to the end of each quarter
• Advising
• Meet daily with a cohort of students to facilitate a strong supportive community, and student empowerment and ownership of their learning and educational experience through all of the following:
• Facilitating strong relationships between students and with adults
• Contacting parents biweekly with grade and behavior updates and maintaining strong relationships with families such that WLA, families, and students are on the same team
• Leading meaningful and age appropriate circles and lessons to help develop students’ social emotional learning
• Optional curriculum is provided
• Classroom Management
• Develop a warm, collaborative, mutually supportive, deeply engaged classroom environment
• Create, monitor, and sustain a rigorous and joyous school culture of high academic and behavioral standards
• Participate in the ever-evolving development of restorative justice practices
• Data Analysis
• Evaluate academic achievement through detailed data analysis of student performance
• Develop and use a variety of assessment data to refine curricula and instructional practice
• Student Support and School Culture
• Participate in school-wide activities to ensure a warm and empowering environment throughout the school, including, but not limited to:
• Spending planning periods supporting hallways, as needed
• Supporting arrival and dismissal as needed
• Supporting open houses, athletic events, dances, and other events as needed
• Professionalism
• Timeliness arriving to school, attending meetings, covering duty posts, and submitting deliverables
• Collegiality, warmth, and respect of all team members and students

Reporting Relationships:

• Teachers report to a Vice Principal or Special Education Coordinator

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or greater
• Standard background check clearance
• At least 2 years of teaching experience is preferred
• Background in Cybersecurity Preferred

To apply:

• Please submit an application and upload a resume here.
• As part of the application, you may be asked to submit references, lesson plans, and/or performance tasks

The Required Stuff

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, and use his/her hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move heavy classroom materials or equipment. The specific vision abilities required by this job may include close vision.

Washington Leadership Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is a drug-free workplace. Salary is competitive and is commensurate with experience. WLA provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a retirement plan.

Washington Leadership Academy reserves the right to amend this job description at any time prior to or during employment.