2024-2025 Middle School Science Teacher at (St. Theresa Catholic School) - Diocese of Austin Catholic Schools

Why we are the right fit for you:

St. Theresa Catholic School is a beautiful 22-acre campus in the heart of Austin, Texas. We have a team of dedicated teachers and an amazingly generous parent community. With a commitment to excellence in academics, our students seek knowledge and are eager learners. The Middle School Science Teacher fulfills the mission of St. Theresa Catholic School skillfully nurtures and facilitates the spiritual, emotional, academic, social development of our students. This position has decision-making responsibilities within the framework of school policies, philosophy, organization, and curriculum. The position is hired and evaluated by the Principal.

At St. Theresa Catholic School, we are more than an educational institution; we are a community dedicated to nurturing the whole person. Join us in our mission to cultivate minds, inspire hearts, and empower spirits.

Requires: Bachelor's degree with successful completion of appropriate state certification exam.

Ministerial Character

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin are canonically obedient to the Bishop and assist him in fulfilling his ministry and canonical obligations. Pastors, presidents, and principals serve as leaders of the schools to make Christ's mission present and enduring in the schools. In order to fulfill Christ's mission, the school leaders employ suitable, chosen collaborators, sharing with them Christ's mission and entrusting to them various responsibilities.

Essential Duties

• Embrace and uphold the ethos of Catholic education and faithfully embody our school's mission.
• Serve as a living testament to Gospel values, aligning one's actions with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Cultivate personal and professional growth through active participation in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflective practices as directed.
• Adhere steadfastly to the Standards of Conduct and our school's established policies and procedures.
• Develop meticulously planned instructional strategies aligned with our adopted curriculum, ensuring logical sequencing of objectives.
• Provide students access to appropriate materials and resources conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
• Employ effective instructional methodologies by professional standards, fostering engagement and understanding.
• Utilize diverse assessment tools to gauge student progress, encompassing both formative and summative evaluations.
• Foster an environment of understanding through comprehensive instruction and assessment practices.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in compliance with school policies.
• Implement positive and consistent disciplinary measures to manage classroom dynamics effectively.
• Establish open lines of communication with parents, addressing academic, behavioral, and safety concerns promptly and effectively.
• Adhere to a flexible work schedule that optimizes availability to students, parents, and colleagues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of Catholic Church teachings.
• Proficiency in subject matter, instructional methodologies, and curriculum differentiation.
• Familiarity with child development, learning theories, and behavioral psychology.
• Skill in pacing instruction and catering to diverse learning needs.
• Aptitude for motivating and engaging students in the learning process.
• Strong organizational skills, coupled with the ability to communicate information effectively.
• Proficiency in relevant technology tools and applications.
• Capacity for critical thinking and strategic planning.
• Commitment to professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work ethic.
• Ability to collaborate with peers to enhance the educational environment and optimize instructional planning.
• Demonstrated capacity for confidentiality in handling school-related matters.
• Proficient classroom management skills to foster a conducive learning environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within the school community.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in the relevant subject area from an accredited American university or its foreign equivalent.
• Experience: minimum 3 years.
• Catholic Requirement: Practicing Catholic in good standing.
• Certifications and Training: Valid Texas driver's license; compliance with Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies; completion of required Religion Certification within specified timeframes.

Working Conditions

• All employees are considered ministers of the school's mission and closely collaborate with the Principal.
• The school operates as an at-will employer.
• Work may entail rapid shifts in priorities and plans within a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and some holidays may be necessary.
• Exposure to religious ceremonies, Christian prayer, and Catholic liturgical celebrations.
• Adherence to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• Tobacco-free policy within all school premises and vehicles.
• Potential travel requirements for off-site meetings and events, including overnight stays.
• Commitment to maintaining a work schedule conducive to student, parent, colleague, and administrative needs.
• Willingness to work across multiple educational settings.

Top candidates will have:

• The passion to make a difference in the lives of middle school children.
• The patience to lovingly meet young learners' spiritual, academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
• The creativity to make learning both fun and meaningful.
• The flexibility to handle the educational, logistical, and interpersonal challenges of working in a team.
• The dedication to your profession and a desire to continually improve.

Essential Duties

• Support and uphold the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the school.
• Act as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Continuously grow in your ministry by participating in religious ceremonies, training sessions, and reflection activities as directed.
• Support and adhere to the Standards of Conduct and policies and procedures of the school.
• Plan for instruction with logically sequenced objectives based on adopted curriculum and submit plans according to the school policies.
• Provide appropriate material and resources for students to engage in learning.
• Use effective instructional methods and models according to professional standard practice.
• Use varied assessment tools to perform both formative and summative assessments.
• Provide instruction and assessment for understanding.
• Maintain current and accurate records according to school policies.
• Practice positive, consistent discipline in the management of the classroom.
• Communicate with parents regarding academic, behavioral, and safety concerns.
• Maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to students, parents, and staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Knowledge of subjects taught, instructional methods and strategies, and curriculum differentiation.
• Knowledge of child development, learning, and behavior.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Skill in pacing and differentiating instruction.
• Skill in motivating and engaging students in the learning process.
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format.
• Skill in using job-appropriate technology.
• Skill in critical thinking and planning.
• Skill in demonstrating professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits.
• Skill in collaborating with peers to enhance the work environment and support instructional planning.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding school matters.
• Ability to manage student behavior in a classroom setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to work well with others in the school community.
• Ability to conference with parents upon request and respond to messages in a timely manner.
• Ability to demonstrate gains in student performance that are in keeping with school goals.
• Ability to respond to individual learning needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in subject taught or related field from an accredited American university or equivalent in a foreign country.

Experience:

• None required. A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience is preferred.

Certifications and Training:

• Must meet the minimum requirements for the teaching field as set forth by the Diocese and TCCED.
• Must submit an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Application for Ministry within the first week of employment, participate in an EIM Basic abuse prevention training workshop within 60 days of submitting a complete Application for Ministry, and maintain EIM compliance during the entire term of employment.
• Must meet staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese and school
• Must complete Religion Certification Part 1 within two years of the date of hire, completing a minimum of 25 hours each year.

Physical Demands

• Required to lift or carry supplies, textbooks, furniture, or equipment.
• Required to sit, stand, bend, stoop, reach, grab, pull, hear, see, and speak daily.
• Required to perform repetitive physical tasks such as computer keyboarding, writing, and reading.
• Required to monitor students in various locations, including those with noise, activity, and inclement weather.

Working Conditions

• All employees of the school are engaged in ministry and closely tied to the principal in the exercise of the principal's ministry and obligations to the school.
• The school is an at-will employer.
• Working in a fast-paced environment with priorities and plans that may change rapidly.
• Working on weekends, evenings, and some holidays may be required.
• Will be exposed to religious ceremonies, conduct, and speech including Christian prayer and Catholic liturgical celebrations. Staff meetings and other functions may open and close with Christian prayer.
• Will be required to adhere to established dress codes and conduct standards.
• All buildings and vehicles owned by the school are tobacco-free.
• May be required to use personal or school vehicles to drive to off-site locations.
• Traveling within and outside the school to meetings and other events may be required, and travel may include overnight lodging.
• Must maintain a work schedule that maximizes availability to students, parents, colleagues, and administration.
• Will be required to work in multiple educational settings.

Employee Certification

All employees must adhere to the Catholic Schools Standards of Conduct, the Diocese of Austin EIM policies, and the social, ethical, and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as interpreted by the Bishop of Austin.

Texas is an "at-will" employment state. Letters of employment are not contracts, nor do they bind the employer or the employee to a predetermined time or guarantee of employment.