Middle School Language Arts Instructor

Job Description

This position entails teaching middle school social studies at an independent therapeutic school with small class sizes, providing opportunities for personalized and hands‑on instruction. The role involves fostering students' love for language and literature, nurturing critical thinking skills, and creating an innovative and supportive learning environment.

• Design and implement academic curriculum and instruction appropriate to each student in the classroom.
• Requisition necessary teaching materials and equipment, within the available budget.
• Implement social and behavioral programming for each student in the classroom.
• Develop positive and therapeutic working relationships with youth, families and staff.
• Communicate well with all parties involved with the youth, both verbally and in writing.
• Accept and respond to administrative and professional supervision.
• Complete all Academy and Agency required paperwork completely and in a timely manner.
• Work consistently within the program's mission.
• Follow and implement all Academy and agency policies and procedures.
• Willingness to learn de‑escalation and passive restraint techniques.
• Ability to restrain youth who are a danger to self or others.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Education Coordinator.

• Bachelor's or master's degree, with a teaching license in the appropriate area of instructional specialization, grades 7-12 preferred or middle level endorsement preferred.
• Bachelor's degree with extensive knowledge (18 college credits) and experience in instructional specialization with teaching experience required.
• Teachers meeting Vermont's Highly Qualified standard preferred.

• Teaching experience with children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges or other mental health issues preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to execute both verbal and physical restraint de‑escalation techniques or willingness to learn de‑escalation techniques.
• Able to move around the office/classroom and occasionally traverse outdoor setting up to one mile in a continuous session.
• Able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Able to move items up to 50 pounds around the office/classroom for various needs.