At Connections Academy, helping students maximize their potential and meet the highest performance standards through a uniquely individualized learning program is at the core of our mission. Connections Academy was founded in 2001 to deliver high-quality, highly accountable online education to students in grades K-12. Hallmarks of Connections Academy-supported online schools include personalized learning, an award-winning curriculum and Education Management System (EMS), dedicated state-certified teachers, and a supportive school community. Parents of enrolled students consistently share their satisfaction with Connections Academy: 92% “would recommend the schools to other families” and 95% say the curriculum is “high quality.” In 2017, Connections Academy-supported public schools serve students in 27 states, while the private online school, International Connections Academy meets the online school needs of students worldwide. Recognized for its outstanding curriculum and leadership, Connections Academy is committed to expanding quality education through technology, and helping students achieve both academic and personal success. Connections Academy is part of the global learning company, Pearson, and its Online & Blended Learning group. For more information, visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com.
Washington Connections Academy (WACA) is a tuition-free, virtual public school serving students in grades K-12 statewide. WACA has two schools under its umbrella of the shared-services model. It operates in partnerships with the Mary M. Knight School District and Goldendale School District and is under contract with Connections Academy to provide its educational program and other services. Both Washington Connections Academy schools are accredited by Cognia and were recognized as Cognia Schools of Distinction in 2022.
Position Summary
This position is a full-time position, typically 40+ hours per week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm each weekday, working with Washington Connections Academy from your home office in either Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Certified Teachers will “virtually” manage instructional programs. Through use of the telephone, Internet and various curriculum tools they will consult regularly with learning coaches and students to ensure that each child successfully completes their instructional program.
Responsibilities
The Student Success Advisory Teacher works closely with their homeroom students, with newly enrolled students and parents, and with students identified as “at risk”, being the primary point of contact for them when working on strategies to be successful in our online school. The Student Success Advisory Teacher will be responsible for the successful completion of the following tasks:
Homeroom Support (25%):
Hosting a homeroom of students, acting as a role model and mentor for them throughout the school year. Key duties include, but are not limited to:
Hosting homeroom LiveLessons as determined by Division Leadership
Supporting students and families through key school year cycle tasks, including Welcome Calls, Intent to Return, and monthly WSLP Progress Checks
Encouraging students to be engaged in their lessons and LiveLessons
Advise students and families related to academics, academic skill building, and graduation
New Student Support (10%):
Hosting New Student Support Assemblies as assigned during the fall and spring enrollment seasons to help our new and late-enrolling families start off on the right foot
Working with school leadership, implement and oversee programs for students and families related to school adjustment issues
Assist teachers when students enroll mid-semester, providing teachers with guidance on integrating the students into their coursework
At-Risk Student Support (65%):
Supporting students identified as Unsatisfactory in monthly Written Student Learning Plan (WSLP) progress checks, including:
Conducting weekly or biweekly WSLP Month 2 and Month 3 check-ins with a floating caseload of students and providing support within Division-based WSLP criteria between progress checks, getting STs to the point they are passing all core (K-5) and all classes (6-12) at end of term
Conducting Truancy Calls, as identified by our Attendance Team
Contacting students and families that have not engaged in our program, as identified by weekly lesson completion data pulled by the Student Success Coordinator
Host weekly Student Success LiveLessons, offered multiple times each week, to provide guidance and intervention for student academic behaviors (e.g., improvement of progress, improvement of contact)
Collaborates (biweekly) with the Student Success Team to discuss strategies to support at-risk students, to discuss successes, and to discuss specific student needs
Takes an active role as a member of an assigned PLC to identify and monitor progress on a team-determined goal.
Works with school teams to identify and help families access school and community resources
Hosts Academic Integrity workshops for students who have violated the Honor Code, as assigned
Supports families through the school withdrawal process, assisting with data collection regarding withdrawal
Coordinating student success tracking updates with the Student Success Coordinator and school leaders
Minimum of 40 successful individual, logged contacts (phone, individual LL, text message) per week
Behind-The-Scenes Roles:
Be a collaborative member of IEP and 504 teams, as assigned, sharing course progress insights about students and providing feedback on goals and accommodations;
Work collaboratively and often within a professional learning community of grade- or content-level instructional staff to review student progress data related to a team-determined SMART goal, with the goal of the data driving instruction and support, and improving teaching practices
Work with Advisory Teachers and School Counselors to ensure students and families are receiving appropriate communications, students are making adequate progress, and established goals are being met within WSLP and/or graduation frameworks;
Attend and participate in in-person training sessions and team-building activities scheduled throughout the school year and throughout the state of Washington;
Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards. Stay abreast of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation;
Take part in all assigned professional development and training, synchronous and asynchronous, including state-required training in SEL and DEI, and actively seek additional opportunities to grow and learn in the role;
Complete the duties of an assigned or volunteered-for representative or Career Ladder position that has a school-wide focus (examples include, and are not exclusive to, Attendance Rep, Communication Rep, or Elective Rep);
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Must have Washington teacher certification in any Secondary subject or K-8 Elementary Education
Residence in Washington preferred
Team player track record, highly flexible, and with a demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated strong technology skills (especially Microsoft Office and Google Suite products, synchronous classroom programs such as Zoom, third-party educational software such as Nearpod, and data collection and examination tools, including spreadsheets and databases)
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to communicate (listen and speak) effectively and appropriately with staff, students, and families from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.
Excellent attention to detail, with proven time management and organizational skills, especially when working independently
Demonstrated ability to work with colleagues to foster and encourage an inclusive work and school environment that is supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.
Student- and family-focused approach, with demonstrated ability to create an inclusive and culturally responsive classroom environment that supports and recognizes students of diverse backgrounds and identities.
Ability to travel for one, possibly two, weeks at a time for key school events, including overnight travel (including, but not limited to: back-to-school training, state testing, graduation ceremony, marketing events, and field trips)
Must be able to use a personal electronic device and email address for 2-step authentication.
Based on Experience and Education, the salary ranges from $40,000-55,000
Washington Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.
Washington Connections Academy acknowledges that its school operations span the state of Washington and that we have families and staff who live and work on the traditional homelands of Washington's Indigenous Peoples who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. We wish to express deep respect and gratitude for the land itself and to the people whose history and lives are here.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Education and Training
Industries
E-Learning Providers
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