Elementary 3-5 Teacher

Paychex Inc.; Portland, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

PERS retirement

Professional development

Job summary

KairosPDX is seeking an Elementary 3-5 Teacher to join a nonprofit, equity‑driven learning community in Portland. This full‑time, year‑round position emphasizes anti‑racist pedagogy, family partnerships, and culturally responsive instruction.

The role includes collaboration with staff and families, ongoing professional development, and a commitment to supporting the whole child. Salary ranges from $57,228 to $111,359, with comprehensive benefits and a supportive work culture designed to close

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s, preferred.
• Valid TSPC license for the grade level(s) taught.
• Knowledge of Highly Qualified Teacher Status under No Child Left Behind Act.
• 1–2 years of elementary classroom teaching; 3–5 years preferred.
• Experience with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
• Pass criminal background check; CPR/First Aid; Food Handlers Card (cost borne by applicant).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues and families to advance the school's academic mission.
• Discipline students fairly with routines and approved behavior support.
• Plan and prepare environments for academic and non‑academic needs.
• Assess progress across academic, social, emotional and cultural domains.
• Align curriculum and assessments to the Common Core; differentiate instruction.
• Supervise field trips and recess; participate in events and activities.
• Attend KairosPDX staff and family events and engage in ongoing professional development.
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned.

Skills

Diversity & inclusion

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Differentiated instruction

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

About KairosPDX
KairosPDX is a nonprofit organization committed to delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families, and their communities. Through innovative pedagogy, strong community collaboration, and meaningful family partnerships, we work to close Portland's persistent achievement and opportunity gaps in measurable and sustainable ways. Our mission is to eliminate racial disparities in academic achievement and opportunity by cultivating confident, creative, and compassionate leaders.

We advance this mission through a comprehensive organizational approach that includes: the PK-5 KairosPDX Learning Academy, Family Connections programming, the KairosPDX Training Academy, mental health supports, and local and legislative policy work. Learn more at www.kairospdx.org.

Working at KairosPDX
KairosPDX is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, year-round Elementary 3-5 Teacher position, starting Summer 2026. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, to apply.

KairosPDX launched its flagship program, the Learning Academy, a public charter school sponsored by Portland Public Schools, in 2014. Located on N. Gantenbein Avenue in Portland, the school utilizes a combination of direct instruction and inquiry-based learning to maximize student outcomes. Our culturally responsive approach integrates mindfulness, restorative practices, studio art, STEM, music, and fitness to support the development of the whole child throughout the day.

In 2021, KairosPDX launched the Training Academy, which prepares leaders across multiple sectors to lead equity-centered, transformational change. Grounded in a framework of belonging and the neuroscience of love, the Training Academy provides professional development in rehumanization practices for educators, administrators, early childhood professionals, organizations, and businesses.

The Early Learning Academy, launched in 2022 as a Preschool for All pilot site, is designed to affirm and celebrate Black identity in young children and their families. It is rooted in the belief that culturally specific early learning experiences empower children to actively shape their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities. We value creativity, curiosity, and collaboration, and we prioritize listening, observing, and reflecting alongside children and families. The arts and sciences are central to our approach, serving as essential tools for expression, identity, and storytelling across generations.

Across our Learning Academies, four core tenets guide our work: (1) inquiry-based instruction, (2) cultural affirmation, (3) anti‑racist education, and (4) creativity and play. These principles inform how we engage with data, reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement.

'Kairos' means a special moment in time, and we believe we are creating that moment for children and families every day. KairosPDX is grounded in the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Excellence, Honesty, and Service. We are committed to continuous growth and collaboration in the service of our students and community.

At KairosPDX, staff are expected to be deeply invested in our mission and to actively contribute to building strong systems, cultivating school culture, and communicating our work with families and the broader community. Our team works collaboratively to support the whole child‑academically, socially, emotionally, and culturally using research‑based practices, established curriculum, and students' interests to inform instruction.

Overall Staff Responsibilities:

Share responsibility with a team of colleagues and parents to honor the mission:

To eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating confident, creative and compassionate leaders;

Practice the values of KairosPDX in professional conduct and daily interactions:

respect, responsibility, honesty, excellence and service to community

Incorporate the beliefs of KairosPDX in all approaches and instruction

Every child is uniquely capable, innately curious and inherently creative,

Character and agency are essential to achievement and are developed through relationship and service to others,

A multi‑cultural context delivers a strong sense of self and is a requirement for participation in our global society,

Children must be supported in the context of their families;

Support multicultural practice, instructional and inquiry based approaches that are:

Actively anti‑racist - confronting bias in all of its forms,

Education for social justice - acknowledging history and studying the present to make informed decisions regarding a more equitable future,

Pervasive - Examining practices in all levels of school culture and organization,

Personal -Beginning with the necessary consideration of self as a cultural being,

Critical Pedagogy - Pursuing multiple perspectives, anticipating contradictions and challenging assumptions,

Empowering - Providing children the ego strength to challenge racist societal views,

Helping children think deeply about themselves and others.

Core Position Responsibilities:

Work with a team of colleagues to further the academic mission of the school;

Discipline students in a fair and consistent manner, using clear routines and expectations as well as school approved behavior support techniques;

Interpret, plan and work toward the goals of the learning community;

Plan and prepare the environment for the academic and non‑academic needs of children;

Assess for progress in the academic, social, emotional and cultural domains of student development;

Align curriculum, instructional strategies, and student assessment to the Common Core;

Co‑plan instruction with grade team towards maximizing learning for all students in the grade

Document and maintain educational records for each child in the classroom in a way that communicates student progress over time;

Utilize disaggregated data to inform differentiated instruction and plan for strategies to eliminate student disparities;

Responsible for planning for and developing the growth and achievement for academic, social, emotional as well as cultural identity outcomes;

Work with a team of colleagues and families to provide a nurturing and positive climate that encourages student responsibility, leadership and intrinsic motivation;

Communicate regularly with families concerning the school's program and their child's progress (including quarterly family conferences, and annual home culture visit);

Participate in supervising students during recess and other non‑class times and

Assist in planning and supervising field trips (both local trips and overnights).

Additional Responsibilities:

Attend several KairosPDX staff and family events

Participate in professional development to facilitate growth of each student, staff member and the organization overall

Participate in continuous improvement practices including observations, reflections and collaborations

Perform other related duties as needed and assigned.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary Range: Dependent on experience, ranging from $57,228 - $111,359

Benefits include: Up to nine weeks of building closure breaks, paid sick/personal leave days, paid holidays, participation in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), employer contribution for health insurance, professional development opportunity.

Position Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s, preferred

• Valid TSPC license for the grade level(s) taught

• Documentation of “Highly Qualified Teacher Status” under the No Child Left Behind Act

• At least one or two years of experience teaching in an elementary classroom; three to five years of experience preferred

• At least one or two years relevant experience working with children from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds

• Demonstrated ability to manage a classroom

• Training in early education and/or human development, preferred

• Experience working with children ages 5 to 11, preferred

• Training and/or experience with at least one special population such as children with disabilities, Talented and Gifted children, and/or English Language Learners, preferred

Knowledge & Skills:

• Effective interpersonal skills in managing and interacting with diverse groups of stakeholders

• Excellent time management and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict through equitable decision‑making and effective problem solving

• Willingness to learn about and adapt to KairosPDX culture

• Open to learning and practicing a constructivist approach to teaching and learning

• Commitment to culturally relevant practices

• Commitment to professional reflection and ongoing collaboration

• Commitment to implementing teaching practices that maximize student learning

• Share KairosPDX’s stance that excellent public education is a civil right of all children and families

• Possess a passion for helping each child reach his or her social, emotional and academic potential including a commitment to differentiated instruction and ongoing assessment

• Current Food Handlers Card and CPR/First Aid Certificate required (cost paid by applicant);

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

• Experience working with diverse populations, specifically people of color; and

• Passion for KairosPDX’s mission.

Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time

Position Elementary 3-5 Teacher

Exempt/Non-Exempt Exempt

Open Date 8/18/2026

Location KairosPDX

About the Organization KairosPDX is a non‑profit organization focused on delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children, their families and their communities. Our mission is to eliminate the prolific racial achievement and opportunity gaps by cultivating, confident, creative, compassionate, leaders. We do this through an organizational approach that includes our Learning Academy, Community Relations, Government Affairs, and Training Academy. Please visit www.kairospdx.org.

This position is currently accepting applications.