Position:	SECONDARY SPANISH TEACHER
Reports to:	High School Principal
Days/year:	180
Building:	Friday Harbor High School
FLSA Status:	Exempt
Representation:	San Juan Education Association
Minimum Qualifications:	Valid Washington State Teacher Certification with a Spanish endorsement and be fluent in Spanish.
Salary:	Certificated Salary Schedule

 

Position Summary:

The Spanish Teacher provides high-quality, engaging world language instruction that supports students in developing proficiency in Spanish while fostering cultural awareness, curiosity, and confidence.  This position emphasizes meaningful communication, inclusive instructional practices, and strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.  The Spanish Teacher plans and delivers instruction aligned with district curriculum, state standards, and best practices in world language education, creating a classroom environment where all students feel challenged, supported, and valued.

 

Essential Responsibilities

This list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.  Depending upon individual assignment, the employee may perform all or a combination of several of the following duties:

• Design and deliver engaging Spanish instruction that emphasizes listening, speaking, reading, and writing through authentic communication.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies to support diverse learners, including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students at different proficiency levels.
• Foster an inclusive classroom environment that affirms students’ identities and builds respect for diverse cultures and perspectives.
• Assess student learning using a range of formative and summative practices aligned with language proficiency goals, and provide timely, meaningful feedback.
• Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen curriculum, instructional practices, and student support systems.
• Participate in IEP development and meetings, and implement accommodations and modifications as required.
• Communicate regularly and positively with families regarding student progress, expectations, and opportunities for growth.
• Maintain clear expectations for student behavior and create a safe, productive learning environment.
• Utilize district-adopted curriculum and instructional resources while adapting lessons to meet student needs.
• Supervise and collaborate with instructional assistants, volunteers, or student aides as assigned.
• Maintain consistent attendance and professional presence at the assigned worksite.
• Adhere to district policies, procedures, and the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
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Desired Skills & Attributes

• Possess a passion for the subject matter and the ability to inspire students.
• Resilience, compassion and the ability to work with students from multiple backgrounds.  Be approachable, caring.
• Value different opinions and able to create a learning environment where students feel safe and respect each other.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexible to changes in assignments or situations.
• Ability and willingness to perform a variety of specialized tasks, maintain records, establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, parents, and school personnel; work as a team member; and meet schedules and deadlines.
• Knowledge and application of quality classroom-based assessment practices.
• Understanding of adolescent development and a desire to support students academically, socially, and emotionally.
• Ability to define excellence by standards of performance.
• Skills in classroom management and organizational techniques.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Washington State teaching certificate with appropriate endorsement for position required.
• Additional secondary endorsement preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Successful teaching experience at appropriate grade level preferred.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of age-appropriate teaching methods and state curriculum framework as pertains to implementation of Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
• Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic and language diversity preferred.
• Successful WA State Patrol and FBI fingerprinting clearance.
• Proof of MMR immunization (if born 1/1/1957 or later).
• I-9 Employment Eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Completion of all district-required trainings within thirty (30) calendar days form hire date.

 

Work Environment:   

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is confined to a work area, required to have precise control of fingers and hand movements; experiences constant interruptions and inflexible deadlines; and must be able to stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, kneel, stand for periods of time, and lift in order to assist a student with personal care.  The employee is required to deal with distraught and/or angry persons and may be exposed to infectious diseases carried by children.  The noise level in the work environment is acceptable to this particular environment and can vary depending upon daily activity but will remain within acceptable ranges.

 

Physical Requirements Include:

• Continuous (2/3 to all the time, possibly the full day):  Talking, Hearing, Seeing, Handling, Fingering, Grasping.
• Frequent (1/3 to 2/3 of the time or up to 5+ hours of an eight-hour day):  Standing, Walking, Bending, Stooping, Crouching, Squatting, Reaching
• Occasional (1/12 to 1/3 of the time or up to 2 ½ hours of an eight hour day):  Sitting, Lifting, Carrying up to 10 pounds, Turning, Twisting, Kneeling
• Rare (0 to 1/12 of the time, 40 minutes of an eight hour day):  Climbing, Balancing, Pushing, Pulling
• Not Present:  Jumping, Crawling

 

Reports to: 

High School Principal

 

Evaluation:

The High School Principal will evaluate the Teacher pursuant to the currently established district procedures and evaluation criteria. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above essential job functions.  

 

Classification History:

Job description developed December 2020, updated February 2026.