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Science Teacher - Middle School Science and High School Earth and Space Science (1.0 FTE)

St. James Middle Senior High School - ISD#840

Position Open: Until Filled

Job Summary:

The Science Teacher provides high-quality, standards-aligned instruction in middle school science and high school Earth and Space Science. The teacher engages students in investigating the natural world through inquiry, experimentation, modeling, data analysis, problem-solving, and meaningful real-world applications while developing the scientific literacy and foundational knowledge needed for future coursework, careers, and informed citizenship.

As a member of the St. James Middle/Senior High School instructional team, the teacher creates a safe, inclusive, and academically challenging learning environment; collaborates across the grades 6-12 science program; and works with families and student-support staff to meet a wide range of academic, linguistic, social-emotional, and developmental needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Planning & Delivery

• Plan and deliver middle school science and high school Earth and Space Science instruction aligned with Minnesota Academic Standards, district curriculum, and approved instructional resources.
• Teach Earth and Space Science concepts, including Earth systems and processes, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, weather and climate, Earth history, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe.
• Design hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that require students to ask questions, plan investigations, analyze and interpret data, construct explanations, develop and use models, and communicate evidence-based conclusions.
• Establish clear learning targets and connect scientific concepts to local contexts, contemporary issues, careers, and real-world phenomena.
• Differentiate instruction and provide appropriate scaffolds, enrichment, intervention, accommodations, and modifications for diverse learners.
• Use laboratory investigations, demonstrations, technology, simulations, models, engineering-design challenges, projects, and other district-approved resources to strengthen learning and accessibility.
• Develop students' scientific literacy, academic vocabulary, critical-thinking, quantitative-reasoning, data-analysis, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Assessment & Student Growth

• Use formative and summative assessments, laboratory work, student products, and district data to monitor learning and guide instructional decisions.
• Provide students with timely, specific, and actionable feedback on scientific reasoning, content understanding, laboratory practices, and communication.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of attendance, grades, assessments, interventions, accommodations, laboratory safety training, and other required documentation.
• Participate in professional learning communities and data-review processes to identify student strengths, needs, curricular gaps, and appropriate next steps.
• Develop and implement instructional supports for students who need additional intervention or enrichment.

Learning Environment, Laboratory Safety & Student Support

• Establish and maintain a respectful, culturally responsive, and well-managed classroom and laboratory environment that promotes belonging, curiosity, responsibility, and positive behavior.
• Teach, model, and consistently enforce laboratory safety procedures, proper use of tools and equipment, chemical and material handling expectations, emergency protocols, and district safety requirements.
• Maintain organized laboratory spaces, equipment, specimens, materials, and inventories; identify supply needs and report hazards, damage, or maintenance concerns promptly.
• Build positive relationships with students and maintain high expectations for academic achievement, scientific integrity, effort, collaboration, and conduct.
• Implement student accommodations, modifications, behavior plans, and individualized supports as required.
• Respond appropriately to student needs and follow district procedures related to safety, supervision, student support, confidentiality, and crisis response.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with science department colleagues to align curriculum, instruction, assessment, laboratory practices, and student expectations across the grades 6-12 science program.
• Work closely with special education teachers, English learner staff, counselors, administrators, paraprofessionals, and other specialists to provide coordinated student support.
• Communicate proactively and professionally with students and families regarding learning expectations, progress, successes, concerns, laboratory requirements, and available supports.
• Participate in conferences, student-support meetings, individualized education program meetings, curriculum work, and other collaborative processes as assigned.
• Develop appropriate partnerships with community organizations, post-secondary institutions, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professionals when such partnerships strengthen student learning.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, curriculum work, school events, and supervision assignments.
• Engage in the district's Teacher Development and Evaluation process, including professional growth planning, observation, reflection, and continuous improvement.
• Stay current with effective science teaching practices, scientific developments relevant to assigned courses, laboratory safety expectations, and applicable standards and regulations.
• Follow district policies, building procedures, negotiated agreements, ethical standards, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Support the district's mission, vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MSHS Principal or Superintendent.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides direction and support to paraprofessionals, student teachers, volunteers, or other assigned personnel working within the classroom or laboratory.
• Supervises students during instructional periods, laboratory activities, field experiences, transitions, and assigned school duties.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Valid Minnesota teaching license appropriate for the grade levels and science assignments, or eligibility to obtain the required license.
• Strong knowledge of science content, inquiry-based instruction, adolescent development, assessment, differentiation, classroom management, and laboratory safety.
• Ability to design engaging, hands-on learning experiences and make complex scientific ideas accessible to learners with varied levels of readiness.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, technology, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and meet all district employment requirements, including required background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful teaching or student-teaching experience with middle school and/or high school students.
• Experience teaching Earth and Space Science and implementing standards-based, inquiry-driven science curriculum.
• Experience with laboratory investigations, project-based learning, technology-enhanced instruction, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative professional learning communities.
• Experience supporting multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with varied academic and social-emotional needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practice, family engagement, scientific curiosity, and continuous professional growth.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Valid Minnesota teaching license appropriate for the assigned middle school science and high school Earth and Space Science courses, or ability to obtain the required license.
• Current First Aid, CPR, CPI, laboratory safety, or other district-required training, or ability to obtain upon hire.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, speak, listen, read, write, use instructional and laboratory technology, and actively supervise students throughout the workday.
• Ability to demonstrate laboratory procedures; handle instructional materials and equipment safely; and occasionally lift, carry, or move classroom and laboratory materials.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

Work responsibilities are performed in active middle school and high school classroom and laboratory environments. The position requires consistent student supervision; safe handling of science materials and equipment; collaboration; flexibility; sound judgment; and the ability to respond appropriately to routine and unexpected school or laboratory situations.

Key Competencies

Science Content Expertise, Inquiry-Based Instruction, Laboratory Safety, Student-Centered Practice, Relationship-Building, Communication, Collaboration, Organization, Adaptability, Integrity

Disclaimer: The duties listed above are illustrations of the work that may be performed and are not an exhaustive list. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and may be revised by the District as needs and requirements change.  St. James Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.