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6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher

St. James Public Schools

Start Date: August 20, 2026

Location: St. James, MN

Job Summary:

The 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher provides high-quality, standards-aligned instruction that develops students' reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, and critical-thinking skills. The teacher creates a safe, inclusive, and academically challenging learning environment and uses evidence of student learning to guide instruction, provide feedback, and support continued growth.

As a member of the St. James Middle/Senior High School instructional team, the teacher supports students' transition into middle school and collaborates with colleagues, 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 English language arts instruction aligned with Minnesota Academic Standards, district curriculum, and approved instructional resources.
• Implement the district's adopted Grade 6 English language arts curriculum with fidelity while making responsive instructional decisions based on student needs.
• Teach reading comprehension, vocabulary, written expression, grammar and language conventions, discussion, presentation, research, and media literacy.
• Establish clear learning targets and design meaningful learning experiences that promote engagement, independence, collaboration, and productive struggle.
• Differentiate instruction and provide appropriate scaffolds, enrichment, intervention, accommodations, and modifications for diverse learners.
• Use district-approved technology and digital resources to strengthen instruction, accessibility, creativity, communication, and responsible digital citizenship.
• Provide opportunities for students to read complex texts, write for varied purposes and audiences, support ideas with evidence, and communicate effectively.

Assessment & Student Growth

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

Learning Environment & Student Support

• Establish and maintain a respectful, culturally responsive, and well-managed classroom that promotes belonging, responsibility, and positive behavior.
• Build positive relationships with students and maintain high expectations for academic achievement, effort, and conduct.
• Support students' transition into middle school by explicitly teaching organization, study skills, self-advocacy, and age-appropriate academic routines.
• 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, and crisis response.
• Maintain confidentiality of student and family information in accordance with district, state, and federal requirements.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with grade-level and content-area colleagues to align curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student expectations.
• 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, and available supports.
• Participate in conferences, student-support meetings, individualized education program meetings, and other collaborative processes as assigned.
• Contribute to a professional culture of shared responsibility, trust, continuous improvement, and student-centered decision-making.

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.
• Follow district policies, building procedures, negotiated agreements, ethical standards, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, dependability, adaptability, and appropriate professional boundaries.
• 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.
• Supervises students during instructional periods and assigned school activities, transitions, and duties.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Valid Minnesota teaching license appropriate for the grade level and assignment, or eligibility to obtain the required license.
• Knowledge of effective literacy instruction, adolescent development, assessment, differentiation, and classroom management.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to meet all district employment requirements, including required background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful teaching or student-teaching experience at the middle-school level.
• Experience with standards-based planning, explicit literacy instruction, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative professional learning communities.
• Experience implementing a comprehensive middle-school English language arts curriculum.
• Experience supporting multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with varied academic and social-emotional needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive practice, family engagement, and continuous professional growth.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Valid Minnesota teaching license appropriate for the assignment, or ability to obtain the required license.
• Current First Aid, CPR, CPI, or other district-required training, or ability to obtain upon hire.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, sit, speak, listen, read, write, use instructional technology, and actively supervise students throughout the workday.
• Ability to move throughout the classroom and school building and occasionally lift or move classroom materials.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

Work responsibilities are performed in an active middle-school environment requiring consistent student supervision, collaboration, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to respond appropriately to routine and unexpected school situations.

Key Competencies

Instructional Expertise, Student-Centered Practice, Relationship-Building, Communication, Collaboration, Organization, Adaptability, Integrity

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.