ELA Instructor, Academy

Heights Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 9,919,000 - 14,878,000; Full time

Job summary

Steppingstone Academy in Philadelphia is seeking an English Language Arts Instructor for our Saturday Academy Program for the 2026–2027 school year. Classes run Saturdays 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., with staff arriving at 8:30 a.m. and departing after dismissal at 1:00 p.m.

The instructor will strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, literary analysis, and writing. They will prepare students for ISEE verbal and reading sections and essays, using data to tailor instruction and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Experience teaching middle/high school students.
• Ability to work with diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Willingness to collaborate with Faculty and Program Manager to achieve learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Submit weekly lesson plans to the Manager of Out of School Time.
• Deliver rigorous instructional material for diverse learners.
• Provide feedback on student work through mid-program and final reports.
• Analyze data with colleagues to inform instruction.
• Plan and implement program activities with colleagues.
• Differentiate instruction to support student achievement.
• Incorporate Steppingstone Academy routines and feedback.
• Monitor attendance and student progress via online tools.
• Lead academic advising sessions with students individually and as a cohort.
• Substitute teach when needed.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Data-driven instruction

Collaboration

Adaptability

Instructional planning

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

About this Role:

Steppingstone Academy is hiring an English Language Arts (ELA) Instructor for our Saturday Academy Program for the 2026–2027 school year. Classes are held each Saturday from 9:00 a.m.– 1:00 p.m., with staff arriving at 8:30 a.m. and departing after student dismissal at 1:00 p.m.

The ELA Instructor will provide engaging, rigorous instruction to 5th-grade students preparing for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and the academic expectations of selective independent schools. The instructor will develop and deliver lessons that strengthen students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, literary analysis, and writing skills while fostering confidence in their roles as critical readers and writers.

In addition to building core literacy skills, the instructor will prepare students for the Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Essay components of the ISEE through targeted instruction, authentic practice, and timely feedback. The instructor will collaborate closely with the Manager of Middle School Academy and fellow faculty members to ensure instruction aligns with program goals, student data, and the overall Prep & Placement curriculum.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Submitting weekly lesson plans to the Manager of Out of School Time by the Friday before class
• Delivering rigorous and challenging instructional material, appealing to multiple learning styles
• Assigning take-home activities and projects, providing constructive feedback for students via mid-program and final reports
• Working closely with faculty and Manager of Out of School Time to analyze data to inform instruction
• Working with colleagues to plan and implement program activities as needed
• Being accountable for student achievement, scaffolding and differentiating instruction to support student achievement
• Incorporating Steppingstone Academy routines and instructional strategies, demonstrating an ability to be receptive to feedback
• Monitoring students during classroom transitions, on trips, during activities, and as needed
• Taking attendance and evaluating students using online software (actively documenting and monitoring student progress in their classes through assessments and academic goal setting for students to achieve higher reading and math levels)
• Assisting students with independent and group assignments
• Engaging students in useful, dynamic, and creative instruction that bolsters core skills to help them be successful in academically challenging environments
• Substitute teaching for faculty members who are absent
• Incorporating and leading academic advising sessions with students individually and as a cohort

About you:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience teaching middle/high school students
• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more content areas (e.g. Algebra, Biology, English Literature, History, Dance, Drones, Physical Education, Art )
• Experience teaching students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Willingness to work collaboratively with Faculty and Program Manager to achieve desired learning outcomes including but not limited to:
• Implementing cross-curricular instruction
• Assessing student academic and social emotional strengths; responding to areas where improvement is necessary
• Must meet expectations to report in-person on a schedule determined by their direct manager and/or the Vice President of the team.
• Must meet PA State background check requirements [PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse and FBI Fingerprint Check] at hire and every five years thereafter.
• Strong orientation to customer service, particularly with regard to students, partners and colleagues
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office and related applications, as well as use of general office equipment (phones, computers, copiers, etc)
• Fluency in the use of data and data systems. Maintains appropriate engagement with data entry, reporting and review.
• Must adhere to COVID safety guidelines as established by Heights and/or its partners.
• Office-based staff should be mindful of the organization’s strong recommendation that staff maintain up to date with COVID vaccination and boosters.
• Site-based staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must submit to any COVID testing or other health screenings as required by the Department of Human Services and/or the School District of Philadelphia.
• Must be able to work in a busy, often complex work environment that is generally climate controlled.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds unassisted on an occasional basis.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Must be able to stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Access to reliable transportation required