Upper School ELA Teacher

Upper School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher

Reporting To:
Secondary Division Director

Employment Status:
Full-time (during school year)

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Starting Pay: $45,000 - $80,000 annually (Depending on experience and qualifications)

Summary Of Core Responsibilities & Org Relationships:

The Upper School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher is responsible for delivering rigorous, evidence-based literacy instruction to students in grades 9-12 with diagnosed learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and related learning differences.

This role requires expertise in adolescent literacy development and the ability to provide structured, explicit instruction while promoting critical reading, analytical writing, and thoughtful discussion of complex texts.

Instruction is designed to support diverse learning profiles while maintaining high academic expectations.

The teacher develops and implements instruction that strengthens reading comprehension, written expression, vocabulary development, and analysis of literary and informational texts. Students engage in close reading, evidence-based writing, discussion, and research to deepen understanding and strengthen communication skills.

In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of secondary programs, the teacher may also teach additional courses aligned with their expertise and the needs of the program, such as geography, writing seminars, or other humanities-related electives.

The Upper School ELA Teacher collaborates closely with division leadership, learning specialists, counselors, and families to ensure instruction aligns with individual student learning plans and the mission of the school.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding children as a priority

• Plan and deliver English Language Arts instruction informed by student diagnostic data and ongoing assessment
• Design instruction that develops reading comprehension, written expression, vocabulary development, and analytical thinking
• Implement structured and explicit literacy instruction to support students with learning differences while promoting critical analysis and discussion
• Provide explicit instruction in writing, including sentence construction, paragraph organization, and development of extended analytical and argumentative writing
• Use literary and informational texts to develop close reading skills and evidence-based interpretation
• Integrate reading, writing, discussion, and research to deepen understanding of texts and ideas
• Adjust pacing, grouping, and instructional methods in response to student performance and individual learning profiles
• Maintain consistent classroom routines and expectations that support executive functioning and engagement
• Teach additional courses as assigned based on program needs and faculty expertise, such as geography or interdisciplinary humanities courses
• Use formal and informal assessments to monitor student progress and determine instructional next steps.
• Analyze student work to identify patterns in comprehension, reasoning, and writing development.
• Adjust instruction based on data gathered through observation, formative assessment, and diagnostic review.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of grades and progress in the school’s student information system.
• Prepare progress reports and narrative feedback aligned to school timelines and individual student learning plans.

Student Support & Individualized Planning

• Collaborate with Student Study Teams (SST) to review student progress and implement targeted supports.
• Implement instructional accommodations and modifications consistent with documented student needs.
• Support the development of executive functioning skills, including organization, task initiation, planning, and self-monitoring.
• Communicate concerns regarding academic progress, engagement, or student well-being to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
• Participate in division meetings, faculty meetings, and professional learning activities.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure coordinated instructional and behavioral support for students.
• Communicate proactively and professionally with families regarding student…