Kindergarten Teacher — Innovative Early Literacy Leader

Career Academy South Bend; South Bend (IN); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful impact

Collaborative environment

Professional development

Benefits package

Job summary

Bethel University seeks a Kindergarten Teacher for the Success Academy laboratory classroom in partnership with Career Academy Network, Bethel University, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor. The classroom combines strong academic instruction with community-connected, experiential learning for kindergarten and first grade scholars.

The ideal candidate embraces early learning, innovation, collaboration, and the Science of Reading, and will help lead a classroom that serves

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, student-centered environment
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Responsibilities

• Create an innovative, safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment
• Deliver instruction aligned to Indiana Standards with hands-on experiences
• Provide differentiated instruction and personalized support
• Assess scholars and maintain data to guide growth
• Engage with families and the school community to support learners

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Professional development

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Indiana Teaching License with Early Literacy Endorsement (K–6)

Job description

Job Title:Kindergarten Teacher at Bethel University

Job Classification:Certified/Licensed Instructional

Reports to:Principal at Success Academy at Boys & Girls Club

Work Schedule:Academic Year - Monday-Friday 7:45 - 3:00

General Description:

TheKindergarten Teacher at Bethel University is responsible for supervising, educating, and supporting scholars to help them accomplish learning benchmarks through a competency-based, project-based learning approach. This teacher creates a safe, engaging, and developmentally responsive learning environment where young learners receive high-quality instruction, individualized attention, and meaningful opportunities to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

For the 2026–2027 school year, this role is part of the innovative Success Academy at Bethel University laboratory classroom model, a partnership between Career Academy Network of Public Schools, Bethel University, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor. Operating as an extension of Success Academy at Boys & Girls Club, this classroom is designed to provide high-quality early learning experiences while also serving as a clinical training site for future educators. Kindergarten and first grade scholars will be served in a mixed-grade classroom that combines strong academic instruction with experiential learning opportunities connected to the community.

The ideal teacher is passionate about early learning, innovation, and collaboration. This educator believes all scholars can learn at high levels, embraces the Science of Reading, and is excited by the opportunity to lead in a classroom that serves as both a nurturing learning space for children and a demonstration site for best practices in teaching and learning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Must hold a valid Indiana Teaching License with an Early Literacy Endorsement, K–6
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of early childhood instruction and child development
• Commitment to the Science of Reading and research-based literacy instruction
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, innovative, and student-centered learning environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Create a learning environment that is innovative, inspiring, safe, and developmentally appropriate for young learners
• Develop lessons aligned to Indiana Academic Standards while incorporating hands-on, high-quality learning experiences
• Deliver instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and use teaching methods that support strong foundational literacy development
• Provide differentiated instruction, personalized support, scholar engagement, and quality pacing and rigor throughout lessons
• Teach scholars individually, in small groups, and in whole-group settings
• Establish clear objectives for lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to scholars
• Observe and evaluate scholars’ academic performance, behavior, social development, and physical health
• Compile, assess, and maintain scholar data that drives academic goals for growth and achievement
• Collaborate with parents or guardians, teachers, social workers, administrators, and support staff to address scholar academic and behavioral needs
• Actively engage as a member of the school community and represent Success Academy in the broader community in a positive manner
• Support planning and implementation of outreach activities throughout the year, including scholar demonstrations of learning and community presentations
• Partner within a mixed-grade laboratory classroom setting that supports both student learning and the development of future educators
• Model strong instructional practice and professionalism in a structured and supervised setting that may include collaboration with Bethel teacher candidates
• Embrace reflection, continuous improvement, and innovation in teaching and learning
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence
• Provide excellent customer service to scholars, families, and community stakeholders

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student success and educational outcomes.
• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment.
• Professional development and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• The chance to contribute to an organization committed to excellence in education.