Job Description:

POSITION: Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher - Turtle Mountain Community Middle School

DEPARTMENT: Middle School Education / English Language Arts

REPORTS TO: TMCMS District Principal and TMCS District Administration

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT: School year term, or as determined by the approved employment agreement and district need

LOCATION: Turtle Mountain Community Middle School

POSITION SUMMARY
The Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher provides high-quality instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, vocabulary, and critical thinking for students at Turtle Mountain Community Middle School. This position is responsible for planning and delivering standards-based instruction aligned to North Dakota English Language Arts standards, district curriculum, and school improvement goals.

The ELA Teacher creates a respectful, structured, and culturally responsive classroom environment that supports student engagement, literacy development, academic growth, and personal responsibility. This position uses assessment data, student work, and ongoing progress monitoring to adjust instruction, provide interventions, and support students through the district's MTSS process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific to Instruction and Curriculum
Plan, prepare, and deliver daily English Language Arts instruction aligned to North Dakota ELA standards, district curriculum, priority standards, and building instructional expectations.
Teach grade-level reading, writing, language, speaking, listening, research, and media literacy skills using developmentally appropriate and evidence-based instructional practices.
Develop clear lesson objectives, instructional tasks, assessments, and student products that are aligned to the standard, academic vocabulary, and expected level of rigor.
Provide instruction using a balance of whole-group, small-group, and individualized learning opportunities to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Integrate literature, informational text, writing assignments, discussion, vocabulary development, grammar, and language conventions into daily instruction.
Use culturally responsive instructional practices that reflect the strengths, experiences, and cultural heritage of Turtle Mountain Community Schools students and families.
 
Specific to Literacy Development
Teach and reinforce reading comprehension strategies, close reading, text analysis, inferencing, summarizing, citing evidence, and interpretation of literary and informational texts.
Support student growth in the writing process, including planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, and writing for different purposes and audiences.
Provide direct instruction in academic vocabulary, grammar, usage, mechanics, sentence structure, paragraph development, and written expression.
Design meaningful reading and writing tasks that promote critical thinking, student voice, collaboration, and real-world communication skills.
Encourage independent reading, classroom discussion, and student engagement with a variety of texts that are appropriate for middle school learners.
 
Specific to Assessment, Data, and Intervention
Use formative, benchmark, interim, classroom-based, and summative assessment data to monitor student progress and guide instructional decisions.
Analyze student work and assessment results to identify skill gaps, adjust instruction, form instructional groups, and provide targeted interventions.
Provide timely, consistent, and appropriate academic support for students who are not yet meeting grade-level expectations.
Participate in MTSS, data meetings, grade-level meetings, PLCs, student referral meetings, and other school improvement processes as assigned.
Maintain accurate and complete records of student grades, attendance, progress, behavior, interventions, parent contact, and other required documentation.
 
Specific to Classroom Management and Student Support
Create and maintain a classroom environment that is safe, respectful, structured, student-centered, and conducive to learning.
Establish, teach, and consistently reinforce classroom expectations, procedures, and routines that support positive behavior and academic success.
Differentiate instruction and provide appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports for students with IEPs, 504 plans, English Learner needs, and other identified learning needs.
Collaborate with special education staff, interventionists, counselors, administrators, and families to support students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Take reasonable and necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, technology, and school facilities.
 
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with students, parents/guardians, staff, administrators, and community members.
Prepare lesson plans, instructional materials, assessments, reports, correspondence, and other written materials in a professional and timely manner as required by administration.
Participate in professional development, staff meetings, school improvement work, district initiatives, and required training activities.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable student privacy, personnel, FERPA, FLSA, HIPAA, and district confidentiality requirements.
Demonstrate professional conduct, punctuality, reliability, positive communication, and ethical judgment.
Serve as a positive role model for students and staff in areas of lawfulness, behavior, respect, and professional character.
Perform other duties as assigned by TMCMS Administration or TMCS District Administration.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
Valid North Dakota Educator's Professional License required, with appropriate licensure/credentialing to teach Middle School English Language Arts in accordance with North Dakota ESPB and NDDPI course code requirements.
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Middle Level Education, English Education, or a closely related educational field required, provided the applicant holds or is eligible for the appropriate North Dakota license/credential for Middle School English Language Arts.
Acceptable licensure/credentialing may include Elementary Education (K-8 or 1-8), Middle School English/Language Arts or Middle School English Major Equivalency (5-8), or English (5-12), as approved by North Dakota ESPB/NDDPI for the assigned grade level and course code.
Successful teaching experience in middle school English Language Arts, literacy instruction, or a closely related instructional area preferred.
Knowledge of North Dakota ELA standards, standards-based instruction, literacy development, differentiated instruction, formative assessment, research-based instructional strategies, MTSS, and data-based decision-making.
Ability to teach reading comprehension, writing, grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, research, and critical thinking skills to middle school students.
Ability to use assessment data and student work to plan instruction, provide interventions, monitor progress, and improve student achievement.
Strong classroom management skills and the ability to establish a respectful, structured, and engaging learning environment.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with students, staff, parents/guardians, administrators, and community members.
Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, lesson plans, instructional documents, parent communication, and other written materials in a professional format.
Proficiency with basic computer programs, web-based platforms, email, documents, spreadsheets, student information systems, assessment systems, and instructional technology tools.
Experience with culturally responsive practices, trauma-informed practices, and working with Native American students and families preferred.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and demonstrate ethical decision-making.
Must pass a background check and meet all district employment requirements.

RANGE OF SALARY: Based on the current Belcourt School District #7 Teacher's Negotiated Agreement and qualifications