Computer Science Teacher

Quest Academy seeks a Computer Science Teacher in West Haven, Utah. Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following: Duties: The Computer Science Teacher will teach Computer Science (CS) and Gaming classes at the junior high level (6th - 9th Grades). Specific responsibilities and duties include, without limitation: (1) Under the supervision of the school principal, design and organize instruction to maximize student learning and employ teaching strategies to communicate subject matter content in such a way to provide for student success. Meet students diverse needs with differentiated and personalized instruction as much as possible within the curriculum: (a) For 7th grade CS classes, provide students with the knowledge necessary to build a playable game from scratch using JavaScript language. Provide instruction that will engage prior knowledge and build upon it in the areas of loops, functions, conditional statements, game design, game mechanisms, graphics, frame rates, objects, and object properties. Run a game competition during the last 2 months of the school year for students to enter original games they have created. Allow peers to vote on entered games and determine a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner based upon peer feedback, teacher review, and industry professional recommendations. Secure prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from donations; (b) For 9th grade CS classes, provide students with the knowledge necessary to take the Advance Placement (AP) CS Principles exam, including: computational thinking and thinking skills practice; problem solving design solutions; algorithms and program development; abstraction in programming; code analysis; creativity in computing innovation; responsible computing practices; data creation, management, analysis, and presentation in a useful form; computer systems and networks; internet protocols; leveraging multiple computers for communication and solving tasks; identifying the impacts of computing, both intended and unintended, and identifying strategies to minimize the negative impacts of computing, including privacy, security, and ethical issues; and (c) For gaming classes, provide resources and instruction sufficient to develop a game using a game engine or other game creation framework. Instructions should include 2D and 3D graphics, collision detection, sound, scripting, animation, memory management, threading, and video support using development tools appropriate to student competency level; (2) Attend summer workshops and professional development as needed to maintain current knowledge of teaching strategies, curriculum options, and updates; (3) Meet with students when needed for tutoring or special support; (4) Communicate effectively to parents to encourage student progress and success; (5) As required on occasion, work additional hours for events outside normal school hours, such as parent-teacher conferences and other school activities and events; (6) Assist in drop-off and pick-up duties at the School as assigned by the Director; (7) Work collaboratively with colleagues by sharing best practices, mentoring, discussing, modeling, and actively engaging in professional development activities; (8) Meet minimally for PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) as outlined in the Collaborative Data Process. PLC data will be submitted weekly to administration. Employees will also meet weekly with Administration (Teacher Talk); (9) Follow all STEM criteria as outlined by Administration; (10) Implement grade-level tech standards. Attend monthly tech trainings provided by the Technology Coach; (11) Update Google Classroom weekly; (12) Update grades regularly, as determined by the Administration; and (13) Such other related duties and responsibilities as assigned. Requirements: Education: Bachelors degree in Secondary Education (with an endorsement in Computer Science), Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related major, or its equivalent; License: Must hold a valid Utah State Teaching License with any required endorsements that authorizes the individual to teach computer science in a middle school or possess the qualifications to obtain such licensure and endorsement within 90 days of the date of hire; Other requirements: (1) Meet the requirements for Highly Qualified status as defined by federal law (determined by completing a secondary license with an endorsement in computer science). Qualified applicants may .