Elementary Lead Teacher (1st-5th)

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Elementary Teacher (1st-5th Grade)

Reports to: Principal and Assistant Principal

Start Date: August 2026

Who We Are….

Our mission is to provide an exemplary educational program that includes all students. Our developmentally appropriate, student and family-centered educational approach nurtures students to expand their developmental skills, in order to build a foundation for life-long learning. Our Core Values are:

• Responsibility

• Engagement

• Acceptance

• Creativity

• Honesty

We utilize the Universal Design for Learning Framework as the foundation for building student agency and framing the essential work needed to meet our mission and organization goals. 

Who Are We Looking For?

We are seeking passionate educators to build an inclusive PK-5 school community. We are seeking individuals who are committed to providing high-quality, universally designed instruction and who are committed to learning about and implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies for our diverse student community.  We are seeking individuals who recognize that they are in a position of public trust and are held to a high standard of personal and professional conduct.  If you are a dedicated educator who is passionate about creating a culture of inclusion and respect, we invite you to join our team. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our students and build a brighter future for our community.

Our Graduate Profile:  

A Bridges “Graduate”

• Is a unique and independent individual who is prepared to pave their own path.
• Self-advocates through their preferred communication modalities.
• Welcomes diversity with inclusion, openness, acceptance, and respect for others.
• Demonstrates empathy and a desire to help and support others in need.
• Perseveres in the face of challenges to meet their individual academic, social, and extracurricular goals. 
• Is prepared for the next steps after leaving Bridges Public Charter School.

As an Elementary School Teacher, you will be responsible for:  

CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT:

• Creating challenging,  engaging, and universally designed lessons that support learner variability.  
• Using the UDL Framework to design and implement curriculum standards-based units that include differentiated instruction.
• Instructing and assessing students in English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and/or Science.
• Assessing student progress regularly and using data to plan for instruction.
• Collaborating and co-teaching with an Inclusion teacher, ELL Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Related Service Providers, etc.
• Working collaboratively with Instructional Coaches to create inclusive and engaging lessons for all students. 
• Creating a classroom culture and environment that practices Responsive Classroom techniques.
• Engaging parents and families weekly in their students’ learning and acting as an ambassador for the school in the community.
• Displaying student work based on current unit standards.  
• Attending and participating in school events outside of regular school hours.
• Other curriculum/instruction/assessment duties as assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Conduct ongoing assessment of student work using multiple assessment tools, including anecdotal records, performance assessments with rubrics, exams, and individualized assessments as appropriate. Use assessment data to plan for instruction and to set short and long-range goals.
• Maintain weekly grade book per school expectations.  
• Maintain data on and utilize technology platforms to improve student achievement.  
• Regularly analyze student data to improve instruction, ensure equity, and make program recommendations and improvements.
• Other accountability duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Adhering to the 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. work day
• Regularly attends work and adheres to all attendance policies.
• Be on time for classes, duties, team meetings, and professional development activities. Communicate about and plan for absences in advance with teaching teams and the Principal.
• Participate in weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings.
• Contribute to PLC sessions by being prepared to share data,  ideas, student work,  materials, feedback, facilitating sessions, and/or discussions.
• Participate in a Summer Professional Development. Summer Professional Development will be two weeks in August before students return.
• Seek out additional opportunities for professional development that will lead to achieving personal and school-wide professional development goals.
• Reading provided school information and adhering to all deadlines.
• Respond to all emails within 24 hours or the next business day. 
• Other professional duties as assigned.   

SCHOOL CULTURE:  

• Implementation of our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program.
• Create and sponsor an inclusive and age-appropriate Club for the school year.
• Engage in Second Step implementation to assist in the social and emotional development of students. 
• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. 
• Communicate respectfully with students, staff, and families at all times. 
• Model, practice, and discuss respectful, unbiased, and effective communication with students.
• Other school culture expectations as assigned.  

Qualifications 

• Candidate must hold a Bachelor's or Master's Degree (in Education, preferred).  
• 1-2 years of teaching experience in an urban school setting (preferred).
• Have knowledge of pedagogy and experience teaching in a constructivist way.  
• A track record of being a team player and community-minded.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary range: $60,000-$92,000/Per Year

View Teacher Pay Scale Here    

$3,000 is awarded for leading a high-level special education classroom

$2,000 is awarded for Spanish language proficiency

An employee's salary is based on educational level, certification(s), and years of experience. Employees will be contracted yearly. Contracts will be renewed according to evaluations and staff interest. Bridges PCS benefits package includes health care, disability insurance, and a retirement plan: 401 (k) or the continuation of the DCPS retirement plan, in addition to other optional benefits. To ensure the safety of all students, all staff members will be fingerprinted, and background checks will be conducted on all school staff prior to their service as employees, without exception. Bridges is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

To ensure safety for all students, all staff members may be fingerprinted. Background checks will be conducted on all school staff before their service as employees.