THORP SCHOOL DISTRICT #400
P.O. BOX 150
THORP, WA 98946
CERTIFICATED POSITION OPEN ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Secondary Agriculture & Business Teacher/ HOURS PER DAY: 7.5 Certified
CTE Instructor/FFA Advisor (Long Term Substitute) START DATE: 2026-2027 School Year

SALARY: 2026-2027 TEA Salary Schedule
(DOE/E)

OPEN TO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES: 06/29/2026 OPEN TO PUBLIC: 07/05/2026

CONTACT PERSON: Brenda McKee PHONE: 509-964-2107

E-MAIL: mckeeb@thorpschools.org FAX: 509-964-2313

DESCRIPTION:
Thorp School District is seeking an energetic, student-centered educator with a passion for agriculture, business, and leadership development. This dual-role position combines classroom instruction with leadership of our FFA chapter. The ideal candidate will possess a "growth mindset," elevating the image of agriculture as a co-equal, vital element of our modern curriculum, extra-curricular network, and community.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instruction & Curriculum
Modern Ag & Business Education: Design and implement a comprehensive CTE curriculum aligned with state standards, balancing agricultural sciences, business principles, and hands-on laboratory experiences.
Elevating Ag Ed: Proactively change the concept of what agriculture is in the school system, positioning the program as a premier academic and career pathway.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): Work collaboratively within the CTE PLC and across grade bands/curriculums to share data, align goals, and improve the broader educational program.
Current CTE courses include, but are not limited to:
Floral Design
Jr. High Business Leadership
Personal Finance
7th Grade Financial Math
Digitools/Careers
Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to use research-based principles of effective instruction.
Research and develop CTE Frameworks for future courses and CTE advancement at Thorp.
Organize the instructional program to provide for individual differences.
Actively participate in ongoing professional development, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Agriculture training, workshops, conferences, and certification courses.
Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and instructional best practices in Agriculture and business/marketing pathways.
Maintain and update CTE credentials and endorsements as required by OSPI and Washington State CTE standards.
Apply professional learning to continuously improve curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student career readiness outcomes.
Collaborate with district leadership to align professional development goals with district initiatives and program improvement needs.

Technology & Industry Alignment
Instruct students in the use of industry-standard tools and software, including but not limited to technology and software in agriculture and business industry.
Collaborate with local businesses and industry partners to provide work-based learning opportunities, guest speakers, and potential internships.

Classroom, Lab, and Shop Management
Safety-First Culture: Maintain the greenhouse, agricultural shop, and laboratory spaces with safety as the absolute first priority; implement strict safety procedures in line with district policies.
Inclusive Discipline: Apply proactive classroom management using inclusive, student-centered practices and restorative justice principles to handle behavioral issues while maintaining strong, positive teacher-student relationships.
Parent Partnerships: Build collaborative "success teams" involving parents, staff, and students, communicating effectively to address individual student needs and programmatic growth.

Student Management & Support
Oversee student behavior in a classroom setting, applying behavior management systems; model appropriate
behavior; reinforce positive behaviors; and discipline students as authorized.
Maintain appropriate individual student records.
Establish and communicate clear grading standards to students and parents; evaluate student growth and provide timely and accurate feedback and documentation.
Provide for the personal, social, and academic growth of students.
Provide academic guidance and counseling for students.

FFA Leadership, Mentorship & Chapter Management
Recruitment & Retention: Devote strategic focus to recruiting, retaining, and motivating a diverse student population into the FFA program, ensuring the chapter reflects the schools community.
Program of Study Calendar: Organize and execute a comprehensive annual calendar, including specific Career Development Events (CDEs), livestock shows, and leadership events.
Financial Stewardship: Manage chapter fundraising initiatives and maintain meticulous accounting of supplies and monies in strict accordance with Associated Student Body (ASB) rules.
Public Relations: Actively author and manage communication streams to showcase FFA chapter activities and student achievements to the local community.

Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities
Promote understanding of district and program educational goals through parent conferences and related activities.
Engage in activities that promote personal and professional growth.
Work collaboratively with staff and administrators to improve the educational program.
Collaborate to meet the needs of special education students, including support for adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and behavioral needs.
Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the program administrator.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Teaching Certificate: Valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement(s) (Agriculture Education / Business and Marketing) and/or eligibility to meet highly qualified CTE standards.

Education:
Degree: Bachelors degree in Agricultural Education, Agribusiness, Agriculture Sciences, or a closely related
field preferred.

Certification:
Valid Washington State CTE Certificate/Credential with endorsement in Arts, Media, and Entertainment, or eligibility to obtain one.

Experience:
Agricultural Background: Proven technical knowledge and practical experience in agriculture, animal/plant sciences, mechanics, or agribusiness.

FFA & Leadership Mastery: Demonstrated experience working with FFA (or equivalent youth leadership organizations), with the proven capability to guide chapter officers, train new leaders, and teach effective meeting skills.

Organizational Skills: Exceptional capabilities in managing large groups, tracking complex inventories, budgeting, and coordinating multi-tiered school and community events.

Diversity & Inclusion: Demonstrated experience working successfully in a diverse environment with strategies to make the Ag/FFA program inclusive to all students.

Additional Qualifications:
Ability to articulate and implement Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Common Core Standards.
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with students, staff, and a diverse community.
Strong classroom management skills for large groups, small groups, and individual instruction.
Ability to establish routines and maintain a positive learning environment.
Familiarity with the developmental needs of middle and high school students.

Physical Requirements:
Employees are frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, and use hands and fingers; occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
In-house: Please submit a letter of interest that is responsive to this particular position to Human Resources by
June 30, 2026.

Public: Complete Certificated Job Application located on the Thorp School Website

Submit your completed application to Brenda McKee at mckeeb@thorpschools.org or mail with a cover letter to Thorp School District, P.O. Box 150, Thorp, WA 98926

THORP SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Thorp School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the USC as a patriotic society. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator, Civil Rights Coordinator, and Section 504 Compliance Coordinator, Mel Blair, (509) 964-7139, PO Box 150, 10831 N Thorp Hwy, Thorp, WA,
98946, blairm@thorpschools.org.