Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Educator

🎯 Role Definition

We are hiring an Educator responsible for planning, delivering, and assessing high-quality instruction that supports diverse learners and achieves measurable academic outcomes. The Educator will design standards-aligned lessons, create formative and summative assessments, implement differentiated strategies for varied learning needs, integrate educational technology, collaborate with colleagues and families, and participate in continuous professional development to improve practice and student success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Teaching Assistant / Paraprofessional
Recent graduate with a teaching credential or certification
Substitute Teacher or Youth Program Instructor

Advancement To:

Lead Teacher or Grade-Level Chair
Instructional Coach or Curriculum Specialist
Department Head or Director of Instruction
School Administrator (Assistant Principal / Principal)

Lateral Moves:

Special Education Teacher
English as a Second Language (ESL/ELL) Specialist
Educational Technology Specialist
Curriculum Developer / Instructional Designer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and implement lesson plans aligned to state and national standards, ensuring clear learning objectives, measurable outcomes, and scaffolding to support all learners across diverse ability levels.
Deliver engaging, evidence-based instruction using a mix of direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, cooperative learning, and project-based approaches to promote deep understanding and critical thinking.
Differentiate instruction and instructional materials to meet the needs of heterogeneous classrooms, using tiered assignments, small-group interventions, and targeted scaffolds for students with diverse learning profiles.
Develop, administer, and analyze formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, inform instructional adjustments, and report achievement to stakeholders.
Create and maintain an inclusive, safe, and positive classroom environment that promotes social-emotional learning, mutual respect, and behavior expectations aligned with schoolwide policies.
Collaborate with special education teams to implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, adapting instruction and accommodations to ensure equitable access and progress.
Use data-driven instructional practices by analyzing assessment data, attendance, behavior, and engagement metrics to set growth goals and drive targeted interventions.
Integrate educational technology and digital resources (LMS, Google Workspace for Education, interactive tools) to enhance instruction, enable blended learning, and support virtual/hybrid learning models.
Establish clear communication channels with families and caregivers, providing regular updates on student progress, behavior, and strategies to support learning at home.
Maintain accurate records (attendance, grades, assessment results, IEP documentation) and prepare progress reports, report cards, and required compliance documentation in a timely manner.
Participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) and collaborative planning sessions to align curriculum, analyze student work, and share best practices across grade levels and subject areas.
Plan and supervise formative enrichment and remediation activities, after-school programs, and extracurricular learning opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom day.
Differentiate assessment accommodations and implement alternative assessment strategies for English learners and students with special needs, ensuring valid measurement of learning.
Lead classroom routines and transitions efficiently to maximize instructional time, reduce disruptions, and maintain high expectations for student behavior and engagement.
Mentor and support novice teachers and teacher aides, modeling effective instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, and data analysis practices.
Design culturally responsive curriculum and materials that reflect diverse perspectives, promote equity, and engage students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Coordinate with colleagues, counselors, and external service providers to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs through integrated support plans.
Prepare and administer individualized learning plans, learning contracts, and goal-setting conferences with students to cultivate ownership of learning and self-regulation.
Facilitate parent-teacher conferences, student-led conferences, and family engagement events to foster collaborative partnerships that support student success.
Ensure compliance with school, district, and legal requirements including safeguarding policies, mandated reporting, health and safety protocols, and professional standards.
Stay current with research-based instructional strategies, curriculum shifts, and technology trends through ongoing professional development and application of evidence-based practices.
Advocate for student needs within school systems and community resources, coordinating referrals and supports when students require additional services.

Secondary Functions

Contribute to curriculum review cycles, pilot new instructional materials, and provide feedback on resource adoption aligned to learning standards.
Support schoolwide assessment administration, data collection, and participation in accreditation or audit processes.
Assist in designing and delivering professional development workshops and staff training tied to instructional priorities and student outcomes.
Participate in school committees (safety, equity, curriculum, technology) and contribute to policy development and program implementation.
Lead or support school events, field trips, and community partnerships that enrich the curriculum and broaden student experiences.
Actively engage in student behavior support systems, restorative practices, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to promote positive outcomes.
Maintain and update digital class resources and learning management systems to ensure students and families have timely access to curriculum and assignments.
Support transition planning for students moving between grade levels or to post-secondary pathways, including career exploration activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Standards-aligned lesson planning: ability to create measurable objectives and backward-designed units.
Classroom assessment design: proficiency with formative and summative assessment creation, rubrics, and item analysis.
Differentiation strategies: targeted interventions, scaffolds, and enrichment practices for diverse learners.
Data analysis for instruction: use of gradebooks, assessment platforms, and data dashboards to inform teaching.
Educational technology: experience with Learning Management Systems (Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology), interactive whiteboards, and digital assessment tools.
Special education knowledge: familiarity with IEPs, 504 plans, accommodations, and inclusion strategies.
ESL/ELL instructional strategies: sheltered instruction, language objectives, and oral language development techniques.
Behavior management systems: PBIS, restorative practices, and classroom routines to maintain positive learning environments.
Curriculum development: experience writing or adapting curriculum maps, scope & sequence, and unit plans.
Reporting and documentation: accurate maintenance of student records, progress reports, and compliance paperwork.
Assessment accommodation implementation: designing fair alternative assessments for students with diverse needs.
Classroom technology troubleshooting: basic ability to configure and troubleshoot common classroom devices and tools.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication for students, families, and colleagues.
Empathy and cultural competence to work effectively with diverse populations.
Adaptability and resilience in dynamic classroom and school environments.
Collaborative mindset for teamwork in PLCs, cross-functional projects, and family engagement.
Organizational skills to manage multiple planning, grading, and reporting tasks.
Student-centered problem solving focused on learning outcomes and wellbeing.
Time management to maximize instructional minutes and meet deadlines.
Patience, persistence, and a growth mindset that models lifelong learning.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Education, Elementary/Secondary Education, or a related field and required state teaching certification/licensure.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, Educational Leadership, or an instructional coaching certification.
Additional endorsements or certifications (ESL/ELL, Special Education, Reading Specialist) preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Elementary Education
Secondary Education (Subject-specific: Math, Science, English, Social Studies)
Special Education
Educational Technology
Curriculum & Instruction

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–5 years (entry/early career) to 3–10+ years (preferred for lead or specialized roles)

Preferred:

2–5 years of full-time classroom teaching experience for general Educator roles.
3+ years for specialized positions (Special Education, Instructional Coach, Curriculum Specialist) with demonstrated impact on student achievement and experience in data-driven instruction.