26-27 First Grade Teacher - Valor Academy Elementary School

BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $63,600 - $137,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Bright Star Schools is hiring a full-time, 11-month First Grade Teacher at Valor Academy Elementary School in North Hills, California. The teacher implements Bright Star’s curriculum and instructional practices to help students meet grade-level, school, and district goals. The role includes planning and delivering rigorous, differentiated, culturally responsive instruction; maintaining a positive and inclusive classroom; using student data to guide teaching; and working with instructional coaches, school leaders, families, and the Inclusive Education team. The teacher also supports school-wide culture and behavior systems, student attendance and academic reporting, and students needing remediation. The role reports to the School Principal or another administrator designated by the Principal. An exceptional candidate will assume the role no later than August 2026.

Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded, open-enrollment nonprofit organization operating nine public charter schools in urban Los Angeles. Its mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support so students achieve academic excellence and develop their talents. The organization describes its core principles as Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang, and Growth, and emphasizes small class sizes, collaboration, professional development, and data- and feedback-driven improvement.

The position is generally performed indoors in typical school and office environments, with occasional exposure to varying temperatures, outdoor elements, noise, fumes, smoke, or dust. It requires physical presence at the worksite and occasional travel for meetings or conferences. Physical demands include prolonged sitting or standing, frequent walking, and occasional or frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing no more than 20 pounds, as well as bending, kneeling, reaching, computer use, writing, typing, and frequent speaking and hearing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Multiple Subject California teaching credential; candidates with an intern credential are also considered.
• Required possession of one of the following: English Learner Authorization (EL Authorization), Bilingual, Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) certificate, Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) certificate, or Bilingual Certificate of Competence (BCC).
• Ability to analyze written, spoken, visual, and other sensory information and to understand and analyze written and spoken English.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and time constraints, make sound judgments, remain calm in emergencies, work under pressure and tight deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities and demands.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail, solve problems logically, and provide and follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to engage in frequent contact with students, parents, and coworkers and to build and maintain positive working relationships.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, classroom management, and organizational skills.
• Passion for teaching and student success.
• Ability to meet the described physical demands, including frequent walking, bending, reaching, repetitive hand and wrist movements, computer use, and speaking and hearing; ability to be physically present at the worksite and occasionally travel for meetings or conferences.
• Provide a complete list of prior employment with any school district, county office of education, charter school, or state special school, including part-time and substitute roles, as required effective January 1, 2025.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of urban teaching experience preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish or Korean is desirable but not required.
• Commitment to educational excellence and belief that every child deserves a high-quality education preparing them for college and beyond.
• Ability to support all students with modifications, accommodations, and high expectations in an equitable, anti-racist classroom.
• Openness to feedback, self-reflection, continuous learning, and close collaboration with colleagues.
• Willingness to analyze challenges, implement creative solutions, and adapt to student needs.
• Ability to use student data to inform engaging instruction and foster a joyful, well-managed classroom.
• Technology competence and eagerness to use technology to support student success.

Responsibilities

• Uphold Bright Star Schools’ mission and values and demonstrate genuine care for students.
• Build relationships with students and families and communicate professionally with peers, supervisors, parents, and students.
• Follow school-wide Tier 1/2/3 management systems, uphold restorative practices, and create safe, positive learning environments.
• Collaborate with school leaders and provide input to improve Bright Star programs.
• Participate in professional development and instructional coaching, including student learning analysis, lesson preparation, and observation debriefs; apply feedback to improve instruction.
• Follow professional attire guidelines and supervise bathroom breaks as needed.
• Maintain attendance procedures each period using the Aeries school information system.
• Participate in school-wide culture events, including Culture Days, Songfest, assemblies, and Field Day.
• Implement Bright Star curriculum maps and guidelines, instructional best practices, and applicable California Common Core or state standards.
• Create and submit weekly lesson plans, unit plans, or overviews to an administrator or coach.
• Differentiate instruction for varied learners, including English learners, students with IEPs, kinesthetic learners, and students exceeding proficiency.
• Use culturally responsive teaching and strategies to understand students.
• Establish and maintain a positive classroom environment and deliver an aligned instructional program that supports students’ grade-level, school, and district goals.
• Support instruction with school-wide supplemental programs.
• Maintain gradebooks and meet grading-reporting deadlines.
• Engage families through parent conferences and regular updates on students’ academics and behavior.
• Collaborate with the Inclusive Education (Special Education) team.
• Use planning periods to advance students’ instructional needs and tutor students needing remediation.
• Perform other assigned duties and adjunct duties as needed.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• CalSTRS retirement matching
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Optional 403b plan
• Paid sick and vacation time off
• Holidays
• Job-embedded induction program for new teachers with a preliminary teaching credential to earn a California clear credential at no cost to the participant
• Weekly instructional coaching or mentoring for all teachers
• Instructional leaders as principals
• Pupil-free planning days for teachers
• Staff wellness program
• School counselors to support family engagement and communication
• Opportunity to participate in stipended out-of-area and out-of-state life experience lessons (field trips)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level