2026-2027 Middle School English Teacher

The First Academy is seeking a dedicated and mission-driven Middle School English Teacher to cultivate strong communication skills and a love for literature in students from a distinct Biblical Worldview. The ideal candidate will be an expert in transitioning students from foundational grammar and expository writing in 6th grade to the sophisticated argumentative writing and intensive research required by the end of 8th grade. We are looking for an educator who can lead both College Prep and Honors sections, guiding students to use discernment as they evaluate a wide range of texts—from Christian fiction and historical documents to secular novels and classic speeches. The successful candidate must be a mentor who fosters analytical thinking, helping students see God’s heart for justice and truth within literature while preparing them for the academic rigors of high school and beyond.

Core Instructional Competencies

• Literary Discernment: Explicitly teaching students to identify and evaluate "God’s truth" within both Christian and secular texts, prose, and personal narratives.

• Writing Proficiency: Facilitating growth across multiple writing modes, including timed responses, creative pieces, literary critiques, and formal research.

• Grammar & Mechanics: Implementing a systematic approach to grammatical structures and vocabulary comprehension to ensure clear and effective communication.

• Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to reason "Biblically and rationally," specifically through the discussion of speeches and articles that address global injustice and God's love.

• Honors Instruction: Providing the necessary depth and rigor to challenge Honors-level students while maintaining a supportive environment for College Prep learners.

Living Curriculum Influencer Areas

Living as a Christ Follower

Model the Life of a Prayer Warrior

Embrace the Walk of a Servant Leader

Utilize the Skills of an Engaging Instructor

Be a Strong Relationship Builder

Bless others as a Faithful Encourager and Grateful Communicator

Professional Qualifications

• Required Education: Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. A Master's degree in Education or the specific subject area is preferred.
• Subject Expertise: Degree emphasis in the area of instruction or a directly related field is strongly preferred.
• Communication Skills: Possess solid, professional communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with students, parents, and colleagues. This includes the ability to present complex information clearly and engage in constructive dialogue.
• Organizational Skills: Exhibit strong organizational skills, including efficient time management, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to finish tasks in a timely manner and manage multiple classroom responsibilities simultaneously.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to effectively partner and collaborate with colleagues, administration, and parents to support the holistic development of students.
• Confidentiality: Absolute ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all sensitive school, student, and personnel matters, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
• Work Ethic: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, professionalism, reliability, and punctuality.
• Instructional Technology: Experience with and aptitude for using current educational technology to enhance classroom instruction, student engagement, and professional tasks.
• Learning Management Systems (LMS): Such as Canvas or Google Classroom.
• Productivity Suites: Including Google Suite for Education and/or Apple iWork Suite.
• Hardware/Equipment: Expertise in operating devices such as MacBooks, iPads, and Interactive Whiteboards, or similar classroom presentation technologies.
• Certification Requirement: Hold or be eligible to obtain a valid teaching certificate:
• Licensure by a regional accreditation agency (e.g., ACSI) is highly preferred.
• Valid/Professional State Teacher's Certification (e.g., Florida Teacher’s Certification) 
• Eligibility for a Temporary State Certificate within 30 days of employment, with the expectation that a permanent certification is secured within three (3) years.
• Teaching Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of successful classroom teaching experience in the subject area is recommended.

Demonstrated Ability: Possess demonstrated expertise and ability to manage, instruct, and motivate students, or provide equivalent proven subject expertise through related professional work experience.