Elementary 3-5 Teacher

Kairos PDX•Portland, OR

20h•$57,228 - $111,359•Onsite

About The Position

KairosPDX is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families, and their communities. Through innovative pedagogy, strong community collaboration, and meaningful family partnerships, we work to close Portland's persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in measurable and sustainable ways. Our mission is to eliminate racial disparities in academic achievement and opportunity by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders. We advance this mission through a comprehensive organizational approach that includes: the PK-5 KairosPDX Learning Academy, Family Connections programming, the KairosPDX Training Academy, mental health supports, and local and legislative policy work. Learn more at www.kairospdx.org . Working at KairosPDX KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, year-round Elementary 3-5 Teacher position, starting Summer 2026. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, to apply. KairosPDX launched its flagship program, the Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, in 2014. Located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland, the school utilizes a combination of direct instruction and inquiry-based learning to maximize student outcomes. Our culturally responsive approach integrates mindfulness, restorative practices, studio art, STEM, music, and fitness to support the development of the whole child throughout the day. In 2021, KairosPDX launched the Training Academy, which prepares leaders across multiple sectors to lead equity-centered, transformational change. Grounded in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love, the Training Academy provides professional development in rehumanization practices for educators, administrators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses. The Early Learning Academy, launched in 2022 as a Preschool for All pilot site, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is rooted in the belief that culturally specific early learning experiences empower children to actively shape their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We value creativity, curiosity, and collaboration, and we prioritize listening, observing, and reflecting alongside children and families. The arts and sciences are central to our approach, serving as essential tools for expression, identity, and storytelling across generations. Across our Learning Academies, four core tenets guide our work: (1) inquiry-based instruction, (2) cultural affirmation, (3) anti-racist education, and (4) creativity and play. These principles inform how we engage with data, reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement. 'Kairos' means a special moment in time, and we believe we are creating that moment for children and families every day. KairosPDX is grounded in the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We are committed to continuous growth and collaboration in the service of our students and community. At KairosPDX, staff are expected to be deeply invested in our mission and to actively contribute to building strong systems, cultivating school culture, and communicating our work with families and the broader community. Our team works collaboratively to support the whole child-academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally using research-based practices, established curriculum, and students' interests to inform instruction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Valid TSPC license for the grade level(s) taught
Documentation of “Highly Qualified Teacher Status” under the No Child Left Behind Act
At least one or two years of experience teaching in an elementary classroom
At least one or two years relevant experience working with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds
Demonstrated ability to manage a classroom
Effective interpersonal skills in managing and interacting with diverse groups of stakeholders
Excellent time management and organizational skills
Demonstrated ability to manage conflict through equitable decision-making and effective problem solving
Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture
Open to learning and practicing a constructivist approach to teaching and learning
Commitment to culturally relevant practices
Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration
Commitment to implementing teaching practices that maximize student learning
Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families
Possess a passion for helping each child reach his or her social, emotional and academic potential including a commitment to differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment
Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant)
Ability to pass a criminal background check
Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color
Passion for KairosPDX’s mission

Nice To Haves

Master’s, preferred
three to five years of experience preferred
Training in early education and/or human development, preferred
Experience working with children ages 5 to 11, preferred
Training and/or experience with at least one special population such as children with disabilities, Talented and Gifted children, and/or English Language Learners, preferred

Responsibilities

Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission: To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders
Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions: respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community
Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative, Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others, A multi- cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society, Children must be supported in the context of their families
Support multicultural practice, instructional and inquiry based approaches that are: Actively anti-racist - confronting bias in all of its forms, Education for social justice - acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future, Pervasive - Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization, Personal -Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being, Critical Pedagogy - Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions, Empowering - Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views, Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.
Work with a team of colleagues to further the academic mission of the school
Discipline students in a fair and consistent manner, using clear routines and expectations as well as school approved behavior support techniques
Interpret, plan and work toward the goals of the learning community
Plan and prepare the environment for the academic and non-academic needs of children
Assess for progress in the academic, social, emotional and cultural domains of student development
Align curriculum, instructional strategies, and student assessment to the Common Core
Co-plan instruction with grade team towards maximizing learning for all students in the grade
Document and maintain educational records for each child in the classroom in a way that communicates student progress over time
Utilize disaggregated data to inform differentiated instruction and plan for strategies to eliminate student disparities
Responsible for planning for and developing the growth and achievement for academic, social, emotional as well as cultural identity outcomes
Work with a team of colleagues and families to provide a nurturing and positive climate that encourages student responsibility, leadership and intrinsic motivation
Communicate regularly with families concerning the school's program and their child's progress (including quarterly family conferences, and annual home culture visit)
Participate in supervising students during recess and other non-class times and Assist in planning and supervising field trips (both local trips and overnights)
Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events
Participate in professional development to facilitate growth of each student, staff member and the organization overall
Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations
Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.