Company Summary
At Connections Academy, we help students maximize their potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized learning program. Founded in 2001, we deliver a high-quality, online educational experience to students in grades K-12. Our innovative and personalized e-learning, an award-winning curriculum and Education Management System (EMS), dedicated state-certified teachers, and a supportive school community are what we pride ourselves on. In addition to academics, teachers focus on emotional well-being and social development, working closely with families to help students learn how they learn best. Parents of enrolled students consistently share their satisfaction with Connections Academy: 92% “would recommend the schools to other families” and 95% say the curriculum is “high quality.” As of this year, Connections Academy-supported public schools serve students in 29 states, while our private online school, Pearson Online Academy meets the online school needs of students worldwide. Recognized for its outstanding curriculum and leadership, Connections Academy is committed to expanding quality education through technology, and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company, Pearson, and its Online & Blended Learning group. For more information, visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com or call 1-800-382-6010.
School Summary
Michigan Connections Academy (MICA) is a tuition-free, online public school serving students in grades K–12 throughout Michigan. MICA is authorized by Ferris State University Charter Schools Office and governed by an independent Board of Directors. The school is operated by Michigan Connections Academy, a nonprofit corporation, through a contract with CA of Michigan, LLC, to provide its educational program and other services. Connections Academy, a division of Connections Education, is accredited by AdvancED.
Position Summary and Responsibilities
Working remotely from home, certified teachers will utilize the Pearson Online Classroom to support and motivate students in working through their curriculum, deliver synchronous instruction, provide intervention and enrichment, and use data to diagnose student learning needs.
The Secondary Social Studies Teacher will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:
- Represent a commitment to equitable practice in all areas within the job description; this includes use of evidence to make decisions, holding high expectations for all students and committing to providing individualized support to all students to meet those expectations
- Support the instructional program with asynchronous recorded lessons and synchronous instruction, along with individual communications and intervention;
- Provide clear, constructive, and consistent feedback for all student work, create progress reports and conduct parent conferences in a timely manner;
- Communicate with parents, students and other teachers on a regular basis to develop and update Personal Learning Plans and schedules, score assessments, provide feedback on student work, suggest instructional approaches and strategies, monitor completion of assignments and coach special projects;
- Develop a general knowledge of the entire program’s K-12 curriculum and a very detailed knowledge of the courses for which responsible;
- Operate within the Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of Supports model, using data and evidence to provide Tier 1 differentiated instruction to all students while working with a team of teachers to develop and implement Tier 2 and 3 interventions;
- Support students and parents with alternate lessons, assessments, and strategies and provide additional assistance with daily assignments and projects in order to meet individual learning goals
- Build strong relationships with students and families to provide direct instruction and intervention that meets the needs of the individual student
- Work collaboratively with other staff within a professional learning community to ensure that all students are successfully progressing through the program, that parents have a central point of contact, and that tasks are distributed among staff;
- Collaborate within the school’s professional learning community to continuously monitor student data to make strong instructional decisions that have direct impact on student learning
- Collaborate with other teachers, team members and staff learning specialists to develop alternate interventions and extensions to students’ programs to ensure all students learn at relatively high levels of achievement;
- Keep student records and data up-to-date, including cumulative files, online student and family information, attendance accounting, and logging all student and parent contacts;
- Work with School Counselor(s) to ensure students and families are receiving appropriate communications, students are making adequate progress and established goals are being met;
- Work with other teachers to coordinate and attend social activities, required school events (Graduation and state testing, for example), and relevant field trips for students, making consideration for integrating these trips into the curriculum;
- Actively engage with students and families at school events and field trips;
- Devise and implement virtual methods of creating and maintaining a “school community”;
- Attend required school and district professional development, in addition to seeking professional growth within curriculum field(s) of study
- Participate in the organization and administration of State Testing, as directed;
- Participate in student recruiting sessions and other marketing efforts that require teacher representation;
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Highly qualified and certified to teach Secondary Social Studies in Michigan
- Strong technology skills (especially with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite)
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Highly organized and punctual
- Student and family focused approach
- High degree of flexibility
- Demonstrated ability to work well in fast paced environment
- Team player track record
- Strong interpersonal skills which include the ability to work effectively with students, parents, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
- Willingness to travel for marketing and state testing events (may require occasional overnight travel)
- Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
- Ability to work remotely, if necessary
