ELA Instructor, Academy

Heights Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Steppingstone Academy is hiring an English Language Arts (ELA) Instructor for our Saturday Academy Program for the 2026–2027 school year. Classes are held each Saturday from 9:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m., with staff arriving at 8:30 a.m. and departing after student dismissal at 1:00 p.m. The ELA Instructor will provide engaging, rigorous instruction to 5th-grade students preparing for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and the academic expectations of selective independent schools. The instructor will develop and deliver lessons that strengthen students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, literary analysis, and writing skills while fostering confidence in their roles as critical readers and writers. In addition to building core literacy skills, the instructor will prepare students for the Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Essay components of the ISEE through targeted instruction, authentic practice, and timely feedback. The instructor will collaborate closely with the Manager of Middle School Academy and fellow faculty members to ensure instruction aligns with program goals, student data, and the overall Prep & Placement curriculum.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Experience teaching middle/high school students
Demonstrated proficiency in one or more content areas (e.g. Algebra, Biology, English Literature, History, Dance, Drones, Physical Education, Art )
Experience teaching students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Willingness to work collaboratively with Faculty and Program Manager to achieve desired learning outcomes including but not limited to: Implementing cross-curricular instruction Assessing student academic and social emotional strengths; responding to areas where improvement is necessary
Heights employees: Must meet expectations to report in-person on a schedule determined by their direct manager and/or the Vice President of the team.
Must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter.
Strong orientation to customer service, particularly with regard to students, partners and colleagues
Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office and related applications, as well as use of general office equipment (phones, computers, copiers, etc)
Fluency in the use of data and data systems. Maintains appropriate engagement with data entry, reporting and review.
Must adhere to COVID safety guidelines as established by Heights and/or its partners.
Office-based staff should be mindful of the organization’s strong recommendation that staff maintain up to date with COVID vaccination and boosters.
Site-based staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit to any COVID testing or other health screenings as required by the Department of Human Services and/or the School District of Philadelphia.
Must be able to work in a busy, often complex work environment that is generally climate controlled.
Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds unassisted on an occasional basis.
Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
Access to reliable transportation required

Responsibilities

Submitting weekly lesson plans to the Manager of Out of School Time by the Friday before class
Delivering rigorous and challenging instructional material, appealing to multiple learning styles
Utilizing effective classroom management strategies during instruction
Assigning take-home activities and projects, providing constructive feedback for students via mid-program and final reports
Working closely with faculty and Manager of Out of School Time to analyze data to inform instruction
Working with colleagues to plan and implement program activities as needed
Being accountable for student achievement, scaffolding and differentiating instruction to support student achievement
Incorporating Steppingstone Academy routines and instructional strategies, demonstrating an ability to be receptive to feedback
Monitoring students during classroom transitions, on trips, during activities, and as needed
Taking attendance and evaluating students using online software (actively documenting and monitoring student progress in their classes through assessments and academic goal setting for students to achieve higher reading and math levels)
Assisting students with independent and group assignments
Engaging students in useful, dynamic, and creative instruction that bolsters core skills to help them be successful in academically challenging environments
Substitute teaching for faculty members who are absent
Incorporating and leading academic advising sessions with students individually and as a cohort