2026-2027 Teacher-ELA / Broadcast Journalism Educator (HTV Media Pathway Director), Hillcrest High School

Job Title: Teacher - ELA / Broadcast Journalism Educator (HTV Media Pathway Director)

Pay Grade: Teacher's Salary Schedule

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: School Principal

GENERAL PURPOSE

Responsible for providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibility for facilitating learning within a high school English Language Arts (ELA) classroom and leading our award-winning Broadcast Media pathway, HTV (htv.buzz). This role requires developing lesson plans and delivering instruction that blends rigorous ELA standards with professional media production; maintaining the high level of technical and storytelling skill required to continue producing top-tier student journalists; collaborating within a Professional Learning Community (PLC); and managing the broadcast studio, show production, and digital podcasts.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates student learning in both traditional ELA and advanced Broadcast Journalism, integrating technology and industry-standard media creation into daily instruction.

• Directs the HTV Broadcast Media pathway, mentoring students through the full production pipeline, including videography, audio engineering, non-linear editing, podcasting, and creating professional-grade shows.

• Participates actively in ELA Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), collaborating with department teams to analyze student data, develop common formative assessments, and implement targeted interventions to ensure student mastery.

• Maintains the high standard of excellence and journalistic integrity that has earned the HTV program numerous regional and national awards.

• Manages and maintains the broadcast studio, digital cameras, field equipment, and editing software.

• Assesses student progress towards academic goals and pathway competencies to provide real-time feedback to students, parents, and administration.

• Collaborates with instructional staff, school personnel, and community media partners to improve the overall quality of student outcomes in support of the school improvement plan.

• Manages student behavior to provide a safe, collaborative, and optimal learning environment in both the classroom and the production studio.

• Prepares a variety of written materials (e.g., lesson plans, grading records, studio schedules) to document student progress and meet district requirements.

• Performs other related duties as required/assigned by the building principal.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a job-related area, required.

• Job-related experience with video production, digital storytelling, and podcasting, preferred.

• Experience working within a Professional Learning Community (PLC) framework, preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, and Other Special Requirements

• Missouri 9-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Certification, required.

• Ability to gain and maintain "Highly Qualified" status as defined by Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, required.

• Must pass a Criminal Background Clearance satisfactory to the District, required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional broadcast journalism principles, scriptwriting, and digital media ethics; stages of high school student development; and classroom/studio management strategies.

• Knowledge of PLC practices, including data-driven instruction and collaborative intervention strategies.

• Skill in operating video production hardware (DSLR/mirrorless cameras, audio mixers, studio lighting) and industry software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut).

• Ability to balance a split schedule, managing the demands of core ELA curriculum alongside a high-profile, student-led media brand.

• Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, analyze student data, apply critical thinking, set high expectations, and work effectively as part of a team under changing priorities.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Work environment is primarily inside (classroom and production studio), where the noise and temperature levels are moderate. The work is mostly sedentary but requires the physical ability to occasionally lift/move up to 20 pounds of media equipment. Must possess the physical ability to work with fingers, perceive the nature of sounds, make rational decisions through sound logic, express ideas by the spoken word, and discern text or media monitors at a distance.