Classroom Teacher in Science (Chemistry) - University High School

Location Profile

University High School is a large inner-city secondary school, catering to the local area including Parkville, Carlton and the Melbourne CBD. The school has a long and proud history of providing outstanding educational opportunities to its diverse local community. Our students, and our families, are the heart and soul of our school. In 2022 we have over 1700 students enrolled, approximately 150 of whom are in the specialist science program for Year 11 and 12 students, Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences. This is a select-entry program, but UHS itself is a neighbourhood, not a select-entry, school. In 2022, the school is embarking on the first year of a new Strategic Plan and a new leadership structure, with a strong focus on student relationships and connection to school; and on emphasising student learning growth through responsive teaching.

The school’s values have been developed over many years. They are:

• Individuality: A focus on individuality, self-worth, achievement and the comprehensive wellbeing of the whole person.
• Diversity: Valuing a range of people in the community and building a wide range of partnerships that broaden and enrich the skills and knowledge of all students.
• Excellence: The pursuit of excellence in both teaching and learning, fostered through supportive programs and well-defined practices to enhance student learning.

Students are expected to engage with all aspects of the formal curriculum and recognition is given to both outstanding achievement and to positive participation. The co-curricular program caters for a wide range of student interests and abilities and student participation at all levels is fostered. Student voice and leadership is embraced within the school and at all levels through a variety of forums.

The school’s curriculum encompasses the breadth of Domain learning areas with students undertaking a wide choice of subjects. A focus on breadth of experience permeates Years 7-9 whilst individual pathways and choice are the core at the senior level. Year 9 students participate in The Galileo Program, an enquiry-based program that encourages the development of life-long learning skills through a rich inquiry and community-based curriculum for one term of the year. Year 8 students participate in a Renaissance Program with the principles of ethical, creative and critical thinking at its core. Strong community links are an essential part of all of the programs that exist within the school.

Staff work in collaborative teams through domains, program areas and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). A wide range of professional development opportunities, in both internal and external contexts, are available to all staff.

Selection Criteria

SC1 Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the ability to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated experience in responding to student learning needs.

SC2 Demonstrated experience in planning for and implementing high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluating the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth.

SC3 Demonstrated experience in monitoring and assessing student learning. Demonstrated experience in using data to inform teaching practice and providing feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4 Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, agency, wellbeing and engagement.

SC5 Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated experience in reflecting upon practice and engaging in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.

SC6 The qualifications and demonstrated capacity to teach Biology to Year 12 (VCE) level.

Role

The classroom teacher classification comprises two salary ranges- range 1 and range 2. The primary focus of the classroom teacher is on the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. The classroom teacher engages in critical reflection and inquiry in order to improve knowledge and skills to effectively engage students and improve their learning.

As the classroom teacher gains experience his or her contribution to the school program beyond the classroom increases. All classroom teachers may be required to undertake other duties in addition to their rostered teaching duties provided the responsibility is appropriate to the salary range, qualifications, training and experience of the teacher.

Classroom teacher Range 2

Range 2 classroom teachers play a significant role in assisting the school to improve student performance and educational outcomes determined by the school strategic plan and state-wide priorities and contributing to the development and implementation of school policies and priorities.

A critical component of this work will focus on increasing the knowledge base of staff within their school about student learning and high quality instruction to assist their school to define quality teacher practice.

Range 2 classroom teachers will be expected to:

• Have the content knowledge and pedagogical practice to meet the diverse needs of all students
• Model exemplary classroom practice and mentor/coach other teachers in the school to engage in critical reflection of their practice and to support staff to expand their capacity
• Provide expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape individual and school professional learning
• Supervise and train one or more student teachers
• Assist staff to use student data to inform teaching approaches that enable targets related to improving student learning outcomes to be achieved.

Classroom teacher Range 1

The primary focus of the range 1 classroom teacher is on further developing skills and competencies to become an effective classroom practitioner with structured support and guidance from teachers at higher levels and the planning, preparation and teaching of programs to achieve specific student outcomes. These teachers teach a range of students/classes and are accountable for the effective delivery of their programs. Range 1 classroom teachers are skilled teachers who operate under general direction within clear guidelines following established work practices and documented priorities and may have responsibility for the supervision and training of one or more student teachers.

At range 1, teachers participate in the development of school policies and programs and assist in the implementation of school priorities.

The focus of a range 1 classroom teacher is on classroom management, subject content and teaching practice. New entrants to the teaching profession in their initial teaching years receive structured support, mentoring and guidance from teachers at higher levels.

Under guidance, new entrants to the teaching profession will plan and teach student groups in one or more subjects and are expected to participate in induction programs and other professional learning activities that are designed to ensure the integration of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy across the school.

Teachers at range 1 are responsible for teaching their own classes and may also assist and participate in policy development, project teams and the organisation of co-curricular activities.

Responsibilities

The role of classroom teacher may include but is not limited to:

• Direct teaching of groups of students and individual students;
• Contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of a curriculum area or other curriculum program within the school;
• Undertaking other classrooms teaching-related and organisational duties as determined by the School Principal;
• Participating in activities such as parent/teacher meetings; staff meetings; camps and excursions;
• Undertaking other non-teaching supervisory duties.

Who May Apply

Teachers currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching and qualified to teach and/or have demonstrated experience in the curriculum area(s) specified for the position.

Vaccination Requirement

A person is not eligible for employment in the Teaching Service unless that person meets the vaccination requirements on commencement in the position.