Science Teacher (Middle School)
Del Rio, Texas
The Middle School Science Teacher is responsible for planning, delivering, and assessing rigorous and engaging science instruction for students in Grades 6–8. The teacher will provide instruction aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Science, as adopted by the Texas State Board of Education and codified in 19 TAC Chapter 112, Subchapter B.
The teacher will create a safe, inclusive, and academically challenging learning environment that develops students’ scientific literacy, curiosity, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and ability to use evidence to explain natural phenomena and solve problems. Instruction will prepare students for success in subsequent science coursework and support mastery of grade-level expectations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Curriculum and Instruction
- Plan, prepare, and deliver daily science instruction aligned with the current Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the assigned grade level(s), including Grade 6, Grade 7, and/or Grade 8 Science.
- Develop and implement lessons that incorporate the major middle school science content strands:
- Scientific and engineering practices
- Recurring themes and concepts
- Matter and energy
- Force, motion, and energy
- Earth and space
- Organisms and environments
Ensure instruction builds upon students’ prior scientific knowledge and prepares them for increasingly advanced science coursework and high school science.
Design learning experiences that require students to ask questions, develop and use models, plan and conduct investigations, analyze and interpret data, use mathematics and computational thinking, construct explanations, design solutions, and communicate scientific ideas.
Incorporate real-world phenomena, scientific inquiry, engineering design, problem-solving, laboratory investigations, demonstrations, technology, models, and hands-on learning experiences.
Teach students to develop and support scientific claims using appropriate evidence and reasoning.
Integrate recurring scientific themes and concepts, including patterns; cause and effect; systems and system models; energy and matter; structure and function; stability and change; scale, proportion, and quantity; and scientific explanations.
Differentiate instruction to address the needs of diverse learners, including students receiving special education services, English learners, students requiring intervention, and students needing enrichment or acceleration.
Scientific and Engineering Practices
- Provide regular opportunities for students to engage in descriptive, comparative, correlative, and experimental investigations appropriate to the grade level and scientific question.
- Guide students in asking scientific questions and defining engineering problems.
- Teach students to select and use appropriate scientific tools, technology, models, and measurement techniques.
- Facilitate student collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.
- Develop students’ ability to evaluate evidence, identify patterns and relationships, draw conclusions, and communicate findings.
- Incorporate engineering design experiences in which students identify problems, evaluate constraints, develop possible solutions, test designs, analyze results, and improve solutions.
Laboratory Instruction and Safety
- Plan and supervise laboratory investigations that support mastery of applicable Science TEKS.
- Maintain a safe and organized science classroom and laboratory environment.
- Instruct and consistently reinforce appropriate laboratory safety procedures.
- Ensure students understand the proper use of scientific equipment, materials, technology, and protective equipment.
- Follow district, state, and federal requirements regarding laboratory safety, chemical handling, storage, inventory, labeling, and disposal.
- Inspect and maintain laboratory equipment and instructional materials and report safety concerns or equipment needs promptly.
- Establish procedures that promote student accountability and safe conduct during investigations and hands-on activities.
Assessment and Student Achievement
- Develop and administer formative, summative, performance-based, and other assessments aligned with the Texas Science TEKS and district curriculum.
- Use student performance data to identify strengths, learning gaps, and opportunities for intervention or enrichment.
- Adjust instructional strategies and provide targeted support based on student data.
- Provide timely and meaningful feedback to students and parents or guardians regarding academic progress.
- Maintain accurate and current student records and grades in accordance with district policies.
- Support students in developing the scientific knowledge, vocabulary, reasoning, and problem-solving skills necessary for success on applicable state and district assessments.
- Participate in campus and district efforts related to assessment preparation, data analysis, intervention, and continuous improvement.
Classroom Management and Student Engagement
- Establish and maintain a positive, structured, respectful, and inclusive classroom environment.
- Communicate clear expectations for academic performance, student behavior, laboratory safety, and responsible participation.
- Foster student curiosity, inquiry, collaboration, perseverance, and confidence in science.
- Encourage respectful scientific discussion and evidence-based argumentation.
- Promote academic integrity and ethical practices in scientific investigations and research.
- Build positive relationships with students and create a learning environment in which all students are encouraged to participate and succeed.
Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities
- Collaborate with other science teachers and instructional staff to support vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum across Grades 6
- Participate in professional learning communities, department meetings, campus meetings, curriculum planning, and professional development activities.
- Remain knowledgeable about current Texas Science TEKS, instructional resources, assessment requirements, laboratory safety practices, and effective science teaching strategies.
- Collaborate with special education teachers, bilingual/ESL staff, counselors, interventionists, and administrators to support student success.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with students, parents or guardians, colleagues, administrators, and community stakeholders.
- Participate in required campus and district activities and perform other duties as assigned by the campus principal or designee.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Valid Texas teaching certificate appropriate for the assigned grade level and subject area, or eligibility for certification under applicable Texas Education Agency and district requirements.
Demonstrated knowledge of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Middle School Science.
Knowledge of effective instructional strategies, classroom management, student assessment, and differentiated instruction.
Ability to safely conduct and supervise middle school laboratory and scientific investigation activities.
Strong oral, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to use instructional technology, scientific equipment, student data, and digital learning tools effectively.
Preferred Qualifications
Texas certification in Science or an appropriate middle grades science certification area.
Previous experience teaching Grades 6–8 Science.
Experience implementing inquiry-based, phenomenon-based, or project-based science instruction.
Experience managing a science laboratory or classroom laboratory environment.
Knowledge of engineering design, scientific modeling, data analysis, and technology-enhanced instruction.
Experience supporting students in preparation for Grade 8 Science state assessments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
Strong knowledge of middle school science concepts and the Texas Science TEKS.
Ability to translate state curriculum standards into rigorous daily learning objectives and effective instruction.
Skill in developing engaging hands-on, inquiry-based, and laboratory-centered learning experiences.
Ability to teach students how to ask questions, investigate phenomena, analyze evidence, and communicate scientific conclusions.
Knowledge of scientific and engineering practices appropriate for Grades 6–8.
Ability to integrate recurring themes and concepts throughout science instruction.
Skill in using student performance data to guide instructional decisions.
Ability to differentiate instruction and provide appropriate intervention and enrichment.
Strong classroom and laboratory management skills.
Commitment to student safety, academic achievement, inclusion, and continuous professional improvement.