Hiring Virtual Teachers for the Long Term
The unprecedented demands of remote teaching during the public health crisis are leading some school districts to create new instructional positions.
One of them is the Denton Independent School District, which educates 11,000 students in northern Texas. The district recently posted a job vacancy notice for 20 high school teachers to focus exclusively on remote teaching and learning, beginning with the spring semester.
Robert Stewart, Denton’s assistant superintendent for human resources, says the district was prompted to create full-time virtual teaching positions because of the difficulties teachers experienced during the past year using two different platforms in Denton’s hybrid model “and probably not doing a very good job at either.”
The distance learning teachers, as the job posting calls them, will serve students in a dozen core courses who prefer to continue learning remotely even once the school district returns fully to in-person teaching.
Stewart expects to fill some of the 20 berths with teachers who resigned due to coronavirus concerns when faced with returning to school buildings. The district may add full-time virtual teachers for elementary and middle school students for the next school year.
An excerpted version of Denton’s job posting appears below. A complete version of the job description is available from the Denton Independent School District at
www.dentonisd.org/employment.
— JAY P. GOLDMAN
Job Posting
Job Title: Teacher, Distance Learning (ConnectedLearning)
Dept./School: Assigned Campus
Reports to: Principal
Primary Purpose
Provide students with appropriate distance or virtual instruction in the core academic subject area assigned to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth. Enable students to develop competencies and skills to function successfully in society.
Qualifications
Special Knowledge/Skills
»Knowledge of core academic subject assigned.
»Knowledge of curriculum and instructional best practices for online learning.
»Strong knowledge of internet and web-related technology.
»Ability to instruct students using a variety of technology applications and platforms.
»Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
»Ability to develop relationships and maintain consistent contact with students, parents and colleagues.
»Ability to support students with computer set-up, navigation and technology issues.
Experience
Minimum of one year of teaching experience.
Major Responsibilities and Duties
Instructional Strategies
»Develop and implement lesson plans for in-person, distance and virtual learning …. Prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for differences in individual student differences.
»Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, equipment and technology that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned …
»Conduct assessment of student learning styles and use results to plan instructional activities.
»Work cooperatively with special education teachers to modify curricula as needed for special education students according to guidelines established in Individual Education Plans (IEP).
Student Growth and Development
»Provide timely feedback to students and track progress through a variety of methods.
»Conduct ongoing assessment and feedback related to student achievement through formal and informal methods.
Classroom Management and Organization
»Create an in-person and virtual classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social and emotional development of students.
»Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities.
»Assist in selecting books, equipment and other instructional materials.
Communication
»Be available by phone, e-mail or video conferencing to confer with district personnel, students and/or parents.
»Communicate with students or parents on a regular basis via phone or video conference, e-mail or district-approved website.
Professional Growth and Development
»Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
»Attend and participate in faculty meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
Mental and Physical Demands/Environmental Factors
Tools/Equipment Used
Personal computer, phone systems, video/instructional equipment and peripherals
Posture
Prolonged sitting and standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling and twisting
Motion
Frequent walking; repetitive computer work with frequent use of hands and wrists
Environment
Work inside from school, home or location other than school building: may work outside, regular exposure to noise and computer monitors.
Mental Demands
Maintain emotional control under stress; work prolonged or irregular hours.
Minimum Salary: $55,500
Duty Days: 187