1st Grade Teacher - IDEA Lakeland Academy (25-26)

IDEA Public Schools; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 52,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative educational institution is seeking dedicated teachers who are passionate about student success and embody core values. This role involves creating an engaging learning environment, setting ambitious goals, and ensuring students master essential skills for college readiness. With a commitment to professional development and a supportive team culture, this position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and paid family leave. Join a dynamic team focused on making college access a reality for all students and thrive in a collaborative atmosphere that values growth and accountability.

Benefits

Paid Family Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Employer-Paid Mental Health Services

Generous Vacation Time

403(b) Retirement Matching

Relocation Allowance

Qualifications

• High level of content-area proficiency as evidenced by teaching certification.
• Experience in a K-12 classroom setting strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement state learning standards and IDEA curricula to meet academic expectations.
• Communicate students' progress with families weekly.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with students and families.

Skills

Teaching Certification

Curriculum Knowledge

Classroom Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Role Mission: 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.

In addition, 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.

What We Offer

Compensation:

• The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $51,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer opportunities and incentives through our Teacher Career Pathway with the potential to earn up to $10,000 in additional compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.

• Additional hourly compensation is provided for after school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.

Other Benefits:

We offer a 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. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year, subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and an employer-paid 403(b) retirement matching of up to 4% of your annual compensation. IDEA may also offer a relocation allowance if applicable.

What You Bring -- Competencies

Qualifications:

• High level of content-area proficiency as evidenced by teaching certification, field of study, or work experience.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution required.
• Experience: Experience in a K-12 classroom setting strongly preferred.
• Licenses or Certifications: Holding or willingness to pursue a Florida educator certification required. IDEA operates a certification program for non-certified IDEA teachers to gain certification while teaching.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of 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 various situations in the school environment.

What You'll Do -- Accountabilities

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 student's progress and learning needs, adjust lesson plans accordingly, and update gradebook weekly.
• Communicate students' progress with students and families weekly.
• Effective facilitation and personal use of technology to improve student achievement and manage work tasks.
• Implement a clear and consistent behavior management system that aligns with campus-wide initiatives while developing students' character and community sense.
• Help shape and develop a school-wide culture fostering a productive and enthusiastic learning environment.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with students and families based on trust and respect.
• Host tutoring sessions as needed to meet student needs.
• Participate in weekly manager check-ins, grade-level meetings, and school functions.
• Engage in ongoing district, school, and personal professional development.
• Spend a minimum of 40+ hours at school weekly.
• Additional duties may include after-school tutoring or Saturday school based on student needs.

Our Values and Characteristics:

• Belief and commitment to our mission: that all students can succeed in college.
• Demonstrated effective outcomes and results, with accountability.
• Propensity for action, willing to learn from mistakes.
• Work with urgency and purpose to improve student outcomes.
• Thrives in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment; comfortable with ambiguity and change.
• Open to feedback and continuous improvement.
• Fosters cross-departmental collaboration to achieve goals.
• High standards of professionalism and conduct as role models.

About IDEA Public Schools

At IDEA, we believe every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA has grown from a small school to a multi-state network of tuition-free, public charter schools serving over 80,000 students across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio, with a goal of 100% college placement for graduates.

Joining IDEA means becoming part of a team committed to ambitious goals, growth, and making college access a reality for all students.

Staff Culture and Belonging

Our Culture and Belonging Team promotes connection, integrity, respect, and belonging for all staff. Learn more about our commitment to our core values here.

To Apply

Please submit your application online through Jobvite. Early applications are encouraged.

IDEA Public Schools in Florida maintains a Drug-Free Workplace Policy, requiring staff to remain drug-free on and off duty, with drug testing prior to employment. Read the full policy here.