1st Grade Teacher - IDEA Spears Academy (Immediate Opening)

About the role

IDEA Academy teachers are responsible for ensuring that every IDEA student masters the academic and social skills necessary to succeed in college, while also embodying IDEA’s values daily. IDEA Academy teachers set ambitious goals for student achievement and invest students and families in accomplishing them; create a powerful learning environment; plan and deliver purposeful, rigorous instruction; assess for mastery and track student progress toward goals; analyze data to intervene and adjust instruction; and seek excellence as an educator and an IDEA team member. Academy core subjects are state assessed in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th.

Responsibilities

• Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula and assessments to meet ambitious academic expectations
• Submit weekly lesson plans two weeks in advance for feedback
• Implement formal and informal assessments to track each individual student’s progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly, and update gradebook weekly
• Communicate students’ progress with students and families on a weekly basis
• Effectively facilitate and personally use technology as a communication and educational tool to improve student achievement and manage work‑related tasks
• Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns with campus‑wide initiatives while developing students’ character and sense of community
• Help shape and develop a school‑wide culture that fosters a productive and enthusiastic learning environment for each student
• Establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with students and families based on trust, understanding, and respect for the communities they identify with
• Host necessary tutoring sessions to meet all students’ needs
• Participate in weekly manager check‑ins, grade‑level meetings, before‑ and after‑school duties, and school‑wide meetings and functions
• Engage in summer and year‑long district, school, and personal learning and development
• Spend a minimum of 40+ hours at school per week
• Additional responsibilities may include after‑school tutoring or Saturday school based on scholar needs

Requirements

• Submit official electronic service records from previous educational employers to verify creditable service (Texas Education Code 21.4031)
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year educational institution (required)
• Experience in a K‑12 classroom setting (strongly preferred)
• For teachers of record in K‑3: appropriate Reading Academies certification per TEA requirements, or willingness to obtain all required TX training within timelines
• Bilingual certification strongly preferred; content and ESL certification preferred (not required)

Qualifications

• High level of content‑area proficiency as evidenced by teaching certification, field of study, or work experience (strongly preferred)

Skills

• Knowledge of the core academic subject assigned and ability to pass an IDEA content assessment
• Knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• Ability to instruct students and manage student behavior
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to adjust and adapt to a multitude of situations in the school environment

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits plan covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children
• Paid Family Leave: eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for birth or adoption of a child, based on tenure and caregiver designation
• Tuition Reimbursement: up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year (subject to manager discretion and budget)
• Employer‑Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face‑to‑face counseling sessions per year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work‑life services at no cost
• Dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options
• Generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development opportunities
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Possible relocation allowance to defray moving costs, if applicable

Pay

• Starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience: $64,000
• Eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500 to $4,000 each
• Additional performance‑based compensation available
• Additional hourly compensation for after‑school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned

Schedule

• Minimum of 40+ hours spent at school per week
• Regular weekly manager check‑ins, grade‑level meetings, before‑ and after‑school duties, and school‑wide meetings and functions
• Participation in summer and year‑long district, school, and personal learning and development
• After‑