26/27 Elementary Teacher (K-5)

The Opportunity: PLA Teachers are passionate and devoted leaders bringing creativity and rigor to our classrooms to support an improved learning experience for our scholars. Our teachers are compassionate and committed to building a caring environment that nurtures the success of our school community. As a Teacher at Phalen Leadership Academies, you are responsible for ensuring that all scholars master both the academic and social skills necessary to succeed.   You will set ambitious goals for student achievement and hold our scholars accountable for accomplishing those goals.   As a PLA teacher, you will be empowered to create a powerful learning environment, plan and deliver rigorous instruction, and assess for mastery, tracking scholar progress and intervening and/or pivoting as necessary to support our scholars’ success.   

The Details

Key Deliverables:

• 100% of scholars meet their projected growth goals for both ELA and Math
• 85% scholar satisfaction on classroom surveys
• 90% of scholars persist through the academic year 
• 95% average daily scholar attendance
• 1.5 years of growth for each scholar not performing on grade level

Experience and Education Requirements

• A passion for working with students and families in under-served communities
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with appropriate endorsements, if applicable
• Valid State Teacher License or enrolled in a credentialing program
• Effective pedagogical skills driven by standards and data-driven assessment
• Experience tracking and using data to drive instruction

The Network: PLA is a transformative education nonprofit changing communities across the country by providing a depth of resources not found in the traditional education model.  In addition to serving as one of the country’s best turnaround school operators and successfully launching charter school start-ups, PLA also provides our school communities with a successful, research-based summer learning program (Summer Advantage), a successful Reading and Math Intervention program (Reading and Math Advantage), and a workforce development program (Skilled US) that provides expanded opportunities for our high school graduates, along with the family members of our current staff and students. This menu of programs and services is unique to our network, sets us apart from other organizations, and provides expanded opportunities for our staff through career advancement opportunities and expanded income opportunities.  

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), founded in 2013 in honor of George and Veronica Phalen, is proud to announce the launch of its newest school, PLA Gary. Guided by our core values, Children First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude, PLA continues its mission to ensure that all children, no matter their zip code, receive a high-quality education.

As the largest Black-founded and led school turnaround operator in the nation, PLA currently serves nearly 10,000 scholars across 20 schools nationwide and has transformed 12 F-rated schools into A-rated successes. Our nonprofit network of elementary, middle, and high schools is dedicated to empowering teachers, engaging families, and partnering with communities to raise achievement in historically underserved areas.

PLA’s schools are supported by comprehensive wraparound services, including free summer programs, in-school tutoring, job training, and college access support. Together, we’re building great schools—and brighter futures—for every scholar.

Compensation and Benefits:

PLA School Teachers receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA School Teachers receive: 

• Competitive Compensation
• Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
• Professional development opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and being a part of professional communities within the school
• Incentive and bonus opportunities 

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.