TITLE: Teacher

REPORTS TO: Building Principal

LENGTH OF YEAR: Ten Months 

LENGTH OF DAY: Per PMFA-PMCSD Agreement

Purpose:  A teacher will have the primary responsibility of providing the students of the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District with a world-class, relevant education.  Teachers will guide students in attaining the knowledge and skills necessary for success during their educational career as well as prepare, our students to become college and career ready after graduation.  Teachers will help students learn the skills and attitudes necessary to achieve a responsible, productive, and fulfilling life in our changing world.

Core Values:

As a Pal-Mac staff member, we believe that we can achieve our vision and accomplish our mission if, in all of our work, we focus on clearly defined and consistently demonstrated core values. 

In all of our actions and interactions we:

• Focus on students
• Value the power of positive relationships
• Act with integrity and honesty
• Work with a purpose, striving for excellence, pride and passion
• Approach experiences with an open mind and a willingness to grow
• Foster safety and a sense of belonging

Expected Results:

1. Teachers will ensure students are engaged in lessons that reflect the teacher’s understanding of content knowledge, pedagogy, and best practices by:

• Establishing a culture of learning within their classrooms.
• Preparing lessons with the appropriate level of content and relevant learning activities that are suitable to diverse learners and supporting the instructional outcomes.
• Engaging students in lessons and activities to students in a compelling, clear, and challenging way.
• Using real-world context and integrating technology when appropriate.
• Continually assessing and analyzing student learning, and making adjustments that have a positive impact on student learning.
• Assessing student work and giving feedback to students in a timely manner.
• Searching and utilizing best practices.
• Anticipating student misconceptions and planning their lessons to accommodate for the misconceptions.
• Reflecting upon lessons taught and making adjustments where appropriate to enhance student learning.
• Conducting and/or attending staff development opportunities.

2.  Data will be collected and used to improve instruction by:  

• Designing and administering summative and formative assessments that align with the District's adopted standards and curriculum.
• Collecting and analyzing summative and formative data from student work.
• Sharing and having professional discussions about collected data with colleagues and administrators.
• Utilizing collected data to gauge student learning and develop plans to improve student learning.

3. Positive relationships with students and their families will be created and maintained by:

• Creating clear standards of conduct for student behavior.
• Interacting with students in a respectful and caring manner.
• Responding to student needs in a manner sensitive to the students’ needs.
• Contacting parents on a regular basis with feedback on students’ areas of growth and areas of concern.  
• Posting grades weekly to the Parent Portal or other District established protocol.

4.  Positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues will be created and maintained by:

• Participating in professional development opportunities to share and/or acquire new best practices in teaching.
• Sharing successful lessons and activities with colleagues as appropriate.
• Actively participating in a collaborative team.

5. Teachers will fulfill their professional responsibilities by:

• Volunteering to participate in school events.
• Seeking out professional development opportunities, both in-district and out of district, to enhance content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
• Conducting professional development for colleagues where appropriate.
• Holding the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Being highly proactive in being an advocate for all students in the district.
• Recognizing that teaching and learning extend beyond the parameters of the regular school day and committing to a “whatever it takes” framework
• Participating in the development of a local curriculum grounded in CCLS, content, and international (when appropriate) standards and frameworks while addressing the appropriate expectations of the teaching profession and appropriate professional organizations.

6. Teachers of specific content areas are expected to share their knowledge and expertise with students.  Examples of this expectation are:

High School Vocal Music Teacher 

• Advise the Madrigal Dinner.
• Conduct the choir at the Baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies.
• Run choir camp during the summer and direct the choir during Canal Town Days and other community functions.
• Participate in All County and All State Choir competitions.
• Participate in the High School and/or Middle School musical production(s).

High School Band Director

• Run band camp during the summer and direct the High School Marching Band at Canal Town Days, on Memorial Day, and at other community functions.
• Participate in All County and All State Band competitions.
• Conduct the band at the Baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies.
• Participate in the High School and/or Middle School musical production.

Middle School Vocal Music Teacher

• Participate in All County and All State Band competitions.
• Participate in the High School and/or Middle School musical production.
• Conduct the Con Brio choir and perform at various school and community functions.

Elementary and Middle School Band Directors

• Participate in All County and All State Band competitions.
• Participate in the High School and/or Middle School musical production.
• Conduct Jazz Band and/or Honors Band and perform at various school functions.

Physical Education Teachers

• With limited exceptions, as approved by the Director of Physical Education, Athletics, and Community Services, coach at least one sport per school year.

7. All parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors to the Palmyra-Macedon CSD will experience the Pal-Mac Way by:

• Greeting parents, students, community members, employees, and all visitors with a friendly and helpful attitude.
• Displaying a customer service approach when working with others in person, on the phone, and through written and electronic communication.
• Being attentive to the needs of all individuals who request their assistance.
• Communicating clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Utilizing their skills to de-escalate a situation when other people are in a heightened or excited state.

8. Teachers will perform all other duties as assigned by the Building Principal.

Evaluation: Teachers will be evaluated using the District's adopted Annual Professional Performance Review.