JOB GOAL

To provide rigorous, engaging, standards-based instruction that promotes academic achievement, critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and college, career, military, and life readiness. The Secondary Teacher develops meaningful learning experiences that prepare students to successfully meet graduation requirements while fostering positive relationships, social-emotional growth, and lifelong learning.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Teaching License with the appropriate endorsement(s) for the assigned content area(s) and grade level(s).
• Properly endorsed and certified in all assigned subject areas.
• Bilingual Endorsement preferred and/or required based upon assignment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent development, secondary instructional practices, curriculum design, content-specific pedagogy, assessment practices, and classroom management.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver rigorous, standards-based instruction that prepares students for graduation, post-secondary education, military service, and career readiness.
• Knowledge of New Mexico graduation requirements, competency-based instructional practices, and secondary academic pathways.
• Knowledge of instructional technology, learning management systems, student information systems, and student data analysis.
• Demonstrates professionalism, flexibility, collaboration, effective communication, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, staff, and community partners.
• Other qualifications as determined by the Board of Education and Superintendent.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction and Curriculum

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards-based instruction aligned to New Mexico Content Standards, district curriculum, and instructional expectations.
• Teach assigned secondary subject area(s) utilizing district-approved curriculum and instructional resources.
• Develop lesson plans that promote higher-order thinking, inquiry, collaboration, communication, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Differentiate instruction to address the academic, linguistic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of diverse learners.
• Utilize research-based instructional practices including project-based learning, inquiry, cooperative learning, technology integration, and student-centered instructional strategies.
• Integrate literacy, numeracy, writing, and academic vocabulary into content instruction as appropriate.
• Maintain lesson plans and instructional documentation in accordance with district expectations.
• Utilize instructional technology and digital learning platforms to enhance student engagement and achievement.
• Incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices that reflect the diverse backgrounds of students.

College, Career, and Postsecondary Readiness

• Support students in developing the knowledge and skills necessary for success beyond high school.
• Reinforce career exploration, employability skills, financial literacy, and postsecondary readiness within the curriculum when appropriate.
• Collaborate with counselors, Career Technical Education (CTE) staff, and administrators to support student completion of graduation requirements.
• Support implementation of Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) through classroom instruction and career awareness activities as appropriate.
• Promote student participation in dual credit, Advanced Placement (AP), Career Technical Education (CTE), work-based learning, internships, industry certifications, and other college and career readiness opportunities when applicable.

MLSS Implementation and Student Support

• Implement the District's Multi-Layered System of Supports (MLSS) framework through high-quality Tier I instruction, interventions, progress monitoring, and data-informed decision making.
• Participate in Student Assistance Teams (SAT), MLSS teams, IEP meetings, Section 504 meetings, and other collaborative planning meetings as assigned.
• Identify academic, attendance, behavioral, and social-emotional concerns and collaborate with support personnel to implement appropriate interventions.
• Maintain a positive classroom climate that promotes student engagement, responsibility, respect, and academic success.
• Implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, and other district behavioral expectations.

Assessment and Student Achievement

• Assess student learning using formative, summative, diagnostic, and performance-based assessments.
• Utilize assessment data to modify instruction, provide intervention, and improve student achievement.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, assessment data, assignments, and student performance using district-approved student information systems.
• Prepare and submit grades and progress reports according to district timelines.
• Administer district, state, and federally required assessments in accordance with testing protocols.
• Monitor student progress toward mastery of content standards and graduation requirements.

Classroom Management

• Establish and maintain clear classroom procedures and behavioral expectations.
• Promote a safe, orderly, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
• Address student behavior consistently using district policies, restorative practices, and appropriate interventions.
• Supervise students during instructional time and assigned duties.
• Maintain accountability for classroom equipment, instructional materials, and technology.

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintain timely communication with parents and guardians regarding student academic progress, attendance, behavior, and interventions.
• Conduct parent conferences and participate in student support meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, administrators, interventionists, instructional coaches, special education staff, bilingual education staff, and related service providers.
• Participate in curriculum development, vertical alignment, assessment analysis, and Educational Plan for Student Success (EPSS) activities.
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), faculty meetings, committees, and school improvement initiatives.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional competence through ongoing professional development and compliance with licensure renewal requirements.
• Participate in educator evaluation processes and professional growth planning in accordance with NMPED and district procedures.
• Implement Board policies, district procedures, and instructional initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and information in accordance with FERPA and district policy.
• Maintain professional relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Demonstrate professionalism through regular attendance, punctuality, ethical conduct, and responsible stewardship of district resources.
• Sponsor clubs, organizations, activities, or athletic programs as assigned.
• Attend school functions, professional development activities, and district meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal, Superintendent, or designee.

Compliance Responsibilities

The Secondary Teacher shall:

• Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, Board policies, administrative procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintain compliance with the New Mexico Educator Code of Ethical Responsibility.
• Fulfill all mandatory reporting requirements under New Mexico law, including suspected child abuse or neglect, bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats of violence, and student safety concerns.
• Maintain confidentiality of educational records as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Implement accommodations and modifications required under IDEA, Section 504, and district procedures.
• Support implementation of student safety procedures, emergency drills, crisis response protocols, and school security expectations.
• Promote equity, inclusion, cultural responsiveness, and a safe learning environment for all students.

Content-Specific Instructional Practices

The Secondary Teacher shall:

• Implement research-based instructional strategies and best practices specific to the assigned content area(s) that promote deep conceptual understanding, student engagement, critical thinking, problem solving, and application of knowledge.
• Deliver instruction utilizing pedagogical approaches aligned to the standards, curriculum, and instructional expectations of the assigned discipline, including but not limited to laboratory investigations, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, disciplinary literacy, writing across the curriculum, mathematical reasoning, scientific practices, historical inquiry, performance-based instruction, technical skill development, and collaborative learning, as appropriate.
• Integrate discipline-specific academic vocabulary, literacy strategies, and communication skills into daily instruction to strengthen student comprehension and mastery of content standards.
• Utilize instructional resources, technology, industry-standard tools, and content-specific instructional materials that support rigorous learning experiences and prepare students for post-secondary education, careers, military service, and lifelong learning.
• Design authentic learning experiences that encourage students to analyze, evaluate, create, communicate, and apply content knowledge to real-world situations.
• Incorporate content-specific assessment practices, including formative, summative, performance-based, laboratory, portfolio, writing, and project assessments, as appropriate for the assigned subject area.
• Stay current with developments, instructional methodologies, emerging technologies, and best practices within the assigned discipline through ongoing professional learning and implementation of evidence-based instructional practices.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the same content area and across disciplines to ensure curriculum alignment, vertical articulation, instructional consistency, and continuous improvement of student achievement.
• Implement instructional strategies, pedagogical practices, and evidence-based methodologies that are specific to the assigned content area(s) and aligned with the New Mexico Content Standards, including the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Mathematics where applicable, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Career Technical Education standards, Fine Arts standards, World Language standards, Physical Education standards, and all other applicable New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) standards for the assigned discipline.
• Deliver instruction using research-based, content-specific instructional practices that develop disciplinary literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills appropriate to the assigned subject area.
• Utilize district-approved High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and instructional resources aligned with New Mexico standards and district curriculum.
• Integrate discipline-specific academic vocabulary, literacy, writing, quantitative reasoning, technology, and real-world applications into daily instruction.
• Design authentic learning experiences that prepare students to meet or exceed state academic standards while developing the knowledge and skills necessary for college, career, military service, and civic engagement.
• Employ content-specific formative, summative, diagnostic, and performance-based assessments to monitor student progress, inform instructional decisions, and improve student achievement.
• Participate in ongoing professional learning to remain current with revisions to New Mexico Content Standards, Common Core instructional shifts, NMPED guidance, evidence-based instructional practices, and developments within the assigned content area.
• Collaborate with content-area colleagues to ensure curriculum alignment, instructional consistency, vertical articulation, and continuous improvement of student achievement.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

Term of employment shall be established annually through adoption of the official school calendar and employment contract.

SALARY

Salary shall be established annually through adoption of the district salary schedule.

EVALUATION

Performance shall be evaluated in accordance with Board policy, district procedures, applicable collective bargaining agreements, the New Mexico Public Education Department educator evaluation framework, and all applicable laws governing licensed instructional personnel.

Employee Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description. I understand the essential duties, responsibilities, and expectations of my position and agree to perform them to the best of my ability. I understand that this job description is not intended to include every duty that may be assigned and that Española Public Schools reserves the right to modify or assign duties as operational needs require. My signature acknowledges receipt and understanding of this job description and does not constitute an employment contract.

Employee Signature: ____________________________________

Date: _______________________________