Middle School ELA Teacher

Kairos Academies•Saint Louis, MO

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher at Kairos Academies helps students become critical readers, thoughtful writers, and confident communicators. The role combines subject-matter expertise with a coaching-based instructional model that supports student ownership, voice, agency, and lifelong literacy skills. Teachers are expected to model Kairos’ values of Love, Excellence, Agency, and Diversity and contribute to a school culture where students can thrive. The teacher provides rigorous, standards-aligned instruction in reading, writing, speaking, and listening; uses assessment data to guide instruction; and supports students’ academic and personal growth through mentoring, collaboration, and reflection. The role also includes a whole-school service responsibility and participation in school events and community initiatives. This is an on-site position at Kairos Academies in St. Louis, Missouri. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional evenings or weekends for family engagement, performances, or tutoring. The position is classified as full-time and exempt. Base salary is $60,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in English, Education, or a related field.
Valid Missouri Substitute Certification.
Demonstrated success increasing literacy achievement in middle school students.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Eligible to work for any employer in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Missouri Teaching Certificate in English Language Arts 5–9 or eligibility to obtain it upon hire.
Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
Experience with project-based or workshop-style literacy instruction.
At least 3 years of middle school teaching experience with demonstrated student growth outcomes.

Responsibilities

Design and implement engaging, standards-aligned units focused on reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Teach students to analyze complex texts across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and informational writing.
Integrate writing instruction emphasizing argumentation, narrative craft, and evidence-based reasoning.
Use MAP, NWEA, and internal assessment data to differentiate instruction and accelerate literacy growth.
Maintain accurate gradebooks and provide frequent, actionable feedback on writing and reading comprehension.
Incorporate project-based learning, literature circles, and Socratic discussions connecting texts to identity, culture, and community.
Mentor a pod of students weekly as a Kairos Coach, supporting goal-setting, self-management, and reflection.
Foster a classroom environment grounded in respect, curiosity, and collaboration.
Communicate proactively with families to celebrate student growth and address challenges.
Partner with ELA and humanities team members to align curriculum, assessments, and practices across grades.
Participate in professional learning communities, coaching cycles, and team reflections aligned with instructional priorities.
Share strategies and feedback to support continuous improvement within the teaching team.
Serve in a whole-school service role, such as Literacy Lead, Equity Lead, or Tutoring Lead, supporting schoolwide academic and cultural goals.
Support consistent implementation of restorative practices, positive behavior systems, and SEL frameworks.
Contribute to school events, family engagement, and community initiatives.
Use data to drive instruction, reteaching, and enrichment, and contribute to curriculum development and schoolwide improvement.