Secondary Vocal Music Teacher .5 FTE (1.0 FTE possible)

Job Description: Seeking a vocal music teacher for our growing orchestras in grades 6 -12. 

Music teachers at Lakes International Language Academy Middle and High School are classified as Arts teachers. Arts teachers bring the concepts of the arts (Music, Drama, or Visual Arts) and the International Baccalaureate program to life for their students. Teachers conduct classroom instruction in English; develop curriculum materials using engaging and age-appropriate instructional strategies; infuse internationally-mindedness into the curriculum on a continual basis; incorporate hands-on learning activities into daily instruction; communicate with parents regarding program goals, classroom activities, homework, school functions and student progress; create a safe and welcoming classroom environment; collaborate with department and grade level teachers, program specialists, teacher mentor, coordinator, director and other staff regarding teacher performance; maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends, procedures and evaluation processes in immersion education; participate in regular planning and staff development activities; participate in professional development for language immersion and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.

Overview: Lakes International Language Academy is a Pre K-12 public school educating over 1000 students. The school opened in 2004, added grades 7 and 8 in 2015, and will add grades 9 - 12 in 2016. The school is located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, with authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primay Years Programme and Middle Years Programme along with the Diploma Programme. We offer Spanish and Manarin language immersion in Pre K-5 and an immersion continuation program in grades 6 - 12, as well as entry points for non-immersion students in a language rich environment. Teachers are highly involved in developing curriculum and writing materials, as well as decision making at the school. In fact, the school's board of directors has a teacher majority. We enjoy high teacher retention, at 95% in 2015, and frequently have a waiting list of students who want to enter our program.

 

 

LILA prepares tomorrow’s critical thinkers and global citizens through language immersion and inquiry-driven study.

 

Think For Myself

Think About Others

Think Beyond Today

Work environment: We have two beautifully remodeled buildings for Pre-K - 5 , including a custom built wing with 14 classrooms, a large gymnasium, and a spacious light-filled media center. We have a plethora of technology and are acquiring a rich array of print and other media resources. Our upper school building, the Headwaters Campus, is approximately 2 miles from the lower school buildings in a growing part of Forest Lake, near the public library, the Sports Center and the YMCA. Opening in September 2014, the Headwaters Campus was custom built for LILA.

Travel: Teachers are provided opportunities to participate in training provided in the Twin Cities, across the U.S., and sometimes internationally in the areas of Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and Responsive Classroom or Developmental Designs. Occasional travel is required.

Diversity: Many of our teachers were born in Mandarin and Spanish speaking countries. Nearly all have traveled extensively, with the large majority having lived in a Mandarin or Spanish speaking country for at least a semester.

Professional Development: Lakes International provides professional development for new staff depending on needs and interest, but always including best practices of teachers in the International Baccalaureate programmes and building a safe and inviting classroom climate for learning.

Working Hours and Vacations: School starts at 7:50 am and releases at 2:10 pm. Teachers are expected to be in school by 7:25, and attend all staff and grade level meetings. Beyond those hours, workload varies by grade, department, unit of study, teacher experience, and the individual students in a teacher's class. As professionals, teachers are expected to put in the time it takes to do a professional job. Some weeks that will be as low as 40 hours, others, as high as 75 hours. In no way should this position be thought of as an hourly position. Vacations include typical US school vacations, with our winter break extended to two full weeks, one week for spring break, 2.5 months for summer break, as well as various vacation days through the year. During school breaks, the majority of LILA's teachers travel within the US or abroad. Opportunities to find travel partners are plentiful.

Career Track and Advancement: Many leadership positions are available, on a yearly basis, to Lakes International teachers, depending on their interests, efforts, and expertise.

Grants to Teachers: The LILA Foundation frequently offers “Inquiry 360” grants to teachers to pursue enriching experiences that they can bring back to share in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to pursue these experiences abroad. Inquiry 360 grants are competitive and are awarded in April for use the following summer.

Social functions: We usually start the school year with an overnight staff retreat in August, and have a January staff party with guests as well. Each Friday, various staff members offer well-attended gatherings around sports or exercise, including volleyball, football (soccer), kettle bells, or Zumba. Other social activities abound.

Qualifications: