Middle School ELA Teacher (2026-2027 SY)

Description

Location:Nashville, Tennessee

Employment Type: Full-time, in-person lead teaching position for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

Salary: Starting salary is at $56,794 for certified teachers, with salaries determined by a set schedule based on completed years of K-12 teaching experience. Pre-licensure candidates without an active TN license begin at $45,856.

Why Choose Valor?

Valor Collegiate Academies is a top-performing public charter school network in Nashville, Tennessee, serving 1,900 students in grades 5-12. Our mission is to empower our diverse community to live inspired and purposeful lives. This mission is made possible through an innovative school model that blends rigorous academics and whole-child education, within an intentionally diverse school environment. Our results include:

• A-Rated Charter Network in Tennessee: Scored as an A-rated charter network by the Tennessee Department of Education, earning perfect scores in Academic Achievement, Academic Growth, Growth of Highest Need Students, and College & Career Readiness.
• Top 1% for Student Growth: Our middle schools consistently rank in the 99th percentile in student growth statewide, based on TVAAS data from the past 5 years.
• National Leader in SEL: Over 50 partner schools nationwide have adopted and implemented Valor’s Compass model for social-emotional learning.

At Valor, you'll join an academically excellent and supportive community that is dedicated to your growth as an educator. With personalized coaching and high-quality professional development, we invest in your development so you can make the greatest impact for students.

Your Role as a Teacher: 

Planning & Instruction:       

• Most teachers teacher 4 classes daily in one content area, with 2 planning periods daily
• Plan and lead 1 Intervention Block or Literature Seminar daily
• Plan and prepare daily lessons and materials in alignment with Valor’s curriculum and TN State Standards
• Utilize school-wide tracking and tech systems to collect, enter, and analyze students’ academic and behavioral data daily
• Ensure both academic and behavioral gradebooks are maintained with accurate information, in accordance with school-wide deadlines and policy
• Actively engage in and prepare for weekly 1:1 coaching and weekly intellectual preparation (IP) meetings 

School-Based Duties & Faculty Engagement         

• Enforce, uphold, and exhibit school’s values, student management policies, and culture systems
• Own an arrival, recess or lunch, transition, or dismissal duty daily 
• Participate in school events that occur outside of normal school hours, such as parent-teacher conferences, field trips, IEP meetings, report card conferences, and new student orientation. Estimated time commitment per school year is approximately 25 hours.  
• Engage in ongoing professional development, which includes attending 3 weeks of new hire and faculty training in July 2026 and weekly PL sessions throughout the school year
• Participate in faculty Circle on Wednesdays after school, and complete and present 2 pieces of faculty Badge Work per school year 

Student Mentorship & Circle Facilitation

• Serve in the capacity of a “Pride Leader” and lead daily lessons and activities to support scholars’ social-emotional development
• Plan, prepare, and lead student Circles weekly; provide coaching of students regarding Badge Work and their Circle presentations
• Track and input student behavior feedback through Kickboard to share with families, school leaders, and culture team           

Benefits We Offer: 

• Childcare Benefit: Valor-subsidized childcare and priority seating at Little Wonders Day Care.
• Family Leave: 8 weeks of fully-paid parental leave
• Waitlist Priority: Priority spot on the Valor waitlist for new student enrollment
• Comprehensive Benefits: 75% coverage of health, dental, and vision benefits; retirement benefits including a hybrid pension and 401K with 5% employer matching.
• Paid Time Off: 8 PTO days annually and access to an org-wide PTO sharing program.
• Professional Growth: 100+ hours of PD annually, 1:1 coaching, and career advancement opportunities.
• Additional Perks: Access to an on-campus gym, unlimited classroom supplies, and a dedicated course budget for every teacher.

Compensation: At Valor, we value the dedication and experience teachers bring to the classroom. Our salary schedule is designed to be fair and transparent, based solely on years of K-12 teaching experience and standardized across the organization at the BA degree level. Starting at $56,794 for certified teachers with no prior experience, salaries increase annually to support career growth and long-term stability, allowing teachers to focus on what matters most: inspiring students. We also recognize long-term commitment with $2,500 years-of-service bonuses awarded after 3, 5, 7, and 10 years of teaching in a Valor classroom, celebrating teachers for their ongoing contributions.

Role Requirements:      

• Must have an active Tennessee teaching license with an endorsement in either Middle Grades and Secondary ELA endorsement area, or actively enrolled in an approved job-embedded educator preparation program 
• Must have authorization to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship 

Key Mindsets:

• You believe all students can succeed and have a proven track record of promoting their growth and achievement.
• You enjoy cultivating meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff to support a positive learning environment.
• You crave feedback and are deeply committed to continuously developing your skills as an educator.
• You have a passion for serving a diverse community of students and families.
• You are willing to learn and adopt school-wide tech platforms (e.g., Kickboard, Infinite Campus, Google Suite). 
• You model, live, and reinforce our school’s core values, commitments, and policies 

Interview Process:      

1. Resume Review 
2. Phone Interview 
3. Teacher Performance Task 
4. Sample Lesson & Leadership Interview 
5. Reference Checks 
6. Offer Extension 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Valor believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables students and staff to thrive. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We actively seek applications from people of all backgrounds to strengthen our community and the perspectives needed to thrive in a diverse world.