Grade 5 - English & History Teacher

Albany Academy•City of Albany, NY

64d•$45,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

Albany Academy is seeking a passionate and highly skilled 5th Grade English/History Teacher to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment. This role involves fostering a love of literature, writing, critical thinking, and historical inquiry. The successful candidate will teach two sections of 5th grade across both disciplines, bridging literacy and history instruction to help students explore the human experience through stories, primary sources, and research. Responsibilities include teaching English and History courses, advising students, collaborating with colleagues, and actively participating in the broader life of the school. Albany Academy is an independent Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Albany, New York, committed to fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and strong character. Our educators serve as mentors, role models, and advocates, supporting the growth of the whole child through small class sizes and individualized attention within a rigorous and engaging curriculum. The school community values diverse perspectives and is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and academically excellent environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in English, History, Elementary/Middle School Education, or a related field required.
Teaching experience at the 5th grade, Middle School, or Upper Elementary level preferred.
Strong background in writing instruction, grammar, literature, and foundational historical concepts/research skills.
Excellent communication, organizational, and classroom management skills tailored to 10- and 11-year-olds.
Demonstrated ability to connect with students and foster an inclusive, culturally responsive classroom environment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
A genuine enthusiasm for working with 5th-grade students and navigating their unique developmental stage.
Ability to bring creativity, flexibility, and high energy to the classroom, especially when weaving English and History themes together.
A strong desire to build relationships and embrace the responsibilities of independent school life beyond the classroom.
A commitment to encouraging student voice, curiosity, self-advocacy, and confidence.

Responsibilities

Teach two sections of 5th-grade English and two sections of 5th-grade History, aligning lessons with departmental goals and school standards.
Design engaging lessons that develop students’ reading comprehension, writing mechanics, analytical thinking, and historical literacy.
Foster thoughtful classroom discussion, historical curiosity, and a foundational understanding of research and citizenship.
Differentiate instruction to support a diverse range of 5th-grade learners, balancing academic rigor with developmental support.
Provide timely, constructive feedback on student writing, projects, and assessments to guide growth.
Maintain accurate records of student progress and communicate proactively and regularly with families.
Collaborate with grade-level and departmental colleagues to integrate English and History curricula, creating meaningful connections for students.
Integrate a variety of instructional methods, technology tools, and hands-on projects suited for the 5th-grade level.
Stay current with best practices in literacy, social studies education, and late-elementary/early-adolescent development.
Participate actively in faculty meetings, professional development days, and school-wide initiatives.
Serve as a student advisor, supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional transition into upper-elementary life.
Build positive, collaborative relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
Contribute to the school community through extracurricular involvement, clubs, coaching, or other school activities.
Uphold and model the school’s mission, values, and standards of professionalism.