High School English Teacher

The High School English Teacher is responsible for planning and delivering engaging, standards-based English instruction that supports students with varying levels of academic ability and experience.

Courses may include World Literature, World Literature Honors, World Literature Through Film, and other English courses based on the teacher’s experience and the needs of the school.

The teacher will help students strengthen their reading comprehension, literary analysis, writing, grammar, vocabulary, research, discussion, presentation, and critical-thinking skills. Through the study of literature and film from different cultures and historical periods, students will be encouraged to examine important themes, perspectives, and questions through a thoughtful Christian worldview.

Working collaboratively with school leadership, faculty, families, and Educational Support Services, the High School English Teacher will help students grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Primary Responsibilities

Classroom Instruction

• Teach high school English courses, including World Literature, World Literature Honors, and World Literature Through Film.
• Develop engaging, standards-based lessons that build students’ reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical-thinking skills.
• Teach students how to closely read, analyze, interpret, and discuss a variety of literary works.
• Introduce students to literature from a broad range of cultures, traditions, time periods, and perspectives.
• Teach multiple genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, essays, and film.
• Help students understand literary elements such as theme, characterization, symbolism, imagery, tone, structure, point of view, and historical context.
• Provide instruction in analytical, argumentative, narrative, research-based, and creative writing.
• Teach grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, revision, editing, and proper citation.
• Encourage thoughtful classroom discussion, collaboration, debate, and respectful consideration of different viewpoints.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students with varying academic strengths and learning needs.
• Establish clear learning objectives and assess student progress through essays, projects, presentations, discussions, quizzes, tests, and other assignments.
• Provide timely and meaningful feedback that supports student growth.
• Maintain a positive, organized, and Christ-centered classroom culture that promotes curiosity, responsibility, respect, and academic excellence.
• Develop and maintain course curriculum, lesson plans, grades, and student records in accordance with school expectations.

World Literature

• Guide students in the study of literature from different regions, cultures, and historical periods.
• Help students examine universal themes while also recognizing the unique cultural and historical context of each work.
• Encourage students to compare literary traditions, perspectives, values, and experiences.
• Help students make meaningful connections between literature, history, faith, culture, and contemporary life.
• Select texts that are academically appropriate, culturally meaningful, and aligned with the mission of Brave Christian Schools.
• Provide opportunities for students to engage in close reading, discussion, writing, research, and creative response.

World Literature Honors

• Provide a rigorous and accelerated World Literature curriculum for honors-level students.
• Assign challenging texts that require advanced reading, writing, analysis, and independent thought.
• Lead students in deeper literary analysis and more complex discussions of theme, structure, culture, philosophy, and worldview.
• Require students to produce well-developed analytical and research-based writing.
• Prepare students for advanced high school English coursework and college-level academic expectations.
• Encourage intellectual curiosity, independent learning, and thoughtful engagement with challenging ideas.
• Maintain high academic expectations while providing appropriate guidance and support.

World Literature Through Film

• Use film as a literary and visual text to help students examine storytelling, culture, theme, character, conflict, and artistic interpretation.
• Teach students how to critically analyze film techniques such as cinematography, editing, sound, lighting, symbolism, pacing, and visual composition.
• Compare films with novels, plays, short stories, myths, or other literary works when appropriate.
• Help students understand how stories may change when adapted from written text to film.
• Teach students to evaluate the choices made by writers, directors, actors, and filmmakers.
• Guide students in discussing how film reflects cultural values, historical events, human experiences, and worldviews.
• Assign analytical writing, film reviews, presentations, creative projects, and comparative essays.
• Select films and related materials that are age-appropriate and consistent with the mission and values of Brave Christian Schools.
• Promote responsible, thoughtful, and respectful engagement with visual media.

Writing and Communication Development

• Teach students how to develop clear thesis statements, organize ideas, use evidence, and support conclusions.
• Guide students through the full writing process, including brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
• Provide instruction in MLA formatting, research methods, source evaluation, citation, and academic integrity.
• Help students develop strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Create opportunities for students to participate in seminars, class discussions, debates, speeches, and group presentations.
• Encourage students to develop their individual voices while communicating with clarity, purpose, and respect.
• Support students in developing the writing skills needed for college admissions, college coursework, and future careers.

Curriculum and Program Development

• Review and update English curriculum to ensure academic rigor, appropriate progression, and alignment with school goals.
• Select novels, short stories, poetry, films, essays, and other instructional resources.
• Develop common expectations for writing, grammar, research, and literary analysis.
• Recommend books, classroom resources, subscriptions, technology, and instructional materials needed to support the English program.
• Help create opportunities for student writing, publication, literary events, competitions, or presentations.
• Support students who are interested in advanced writing, literature, journalism, creative writing, or related academic opportunities.
• Ensure that classroom texts, films, assignments, and discussions are appropriate for a Christian college-preparatory environment.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with the High School Principal, administration, English department, and other faculty members.
• Communicate regularly with students and families regarding classroom expectations, assignments, academic progress, and areas of concern.
• Work with Educational Support Services and school leadership to provide appropriate accommodations and interventions.
• Partner with History, Bible, Fine Arts, and other departments on interdisciplinary projects when appropriate.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, department meetings, and school-wide planning.
• Contribute to curriculum review, accreditation efforts, student support meetings, and other academic initiatives.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication through the school’s grading and learning-management systems.

Student Development

• Build meaningful relationships that support students’ academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth.
• Encourage students to become thoughtful readers, disciplined writers, respectful listeners, and confident communicators.
• Help students recognize how literature and storytelling can deepen their understanding of God, humanity, culture, and the world around them.
• Provide a safe classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, discussing ideas, taking academic risks, and learning from mistakes.
• Promote academic integrity, personal responsibility, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity.
• Encourage students to discover and pursue their God-given gifts and abilities.
• Serve as a positive Christian role model who reflects the mission and values of Brave Christian Schools.
• Participate in chapel services, faculty meetings, professional development, school events, and student activities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• California teaching credential or the ability to obtain one.
• Experience teaching high school English, literature, writing, or a related subject.
• Strong knowledge of literature, literary analysis, composition, grammar, vocabulary, and research.
• Ability to teach World Literature and related English courses.
• Ability to effectively manage a classroom and teach students with different academic abilities and learning needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and classroom-management skills.
• Ability to select and teach literature and film through a thoughtful Christian worldview.
• Demonstrated Christian faith consistent with the mission and Statement of Faith of Brave Christian Schools.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, Literature, English Education, Humanities, Film Studies, or a related field.
• Experience teaching World Literature or honors-level English courses.
• Experience teaching literature through film or using film analysis as part of an English curriculum.
• Experience teaching advanced literary analysis, academic writing, and research.
• Knowledge of MLA formatting and college-preparatory writing expectations.
• Experience developing English curriculum or selecting instructional texts.
• Experience teaching multilingual learners or students with diverse academic needs.
• Experience working in a Christian school, private school, or college-preparatory environment.
• Experience advising student publications, literary magazines, writing clubs, journalism, or similar activities.

Desired Characteristics

The ideal candidate:

• Demonstrates a vibrant Christian faith and a passion for Christian education.
• Is an excellent teacher who understands the academic, social, and developmental needs of high school students.
• Inspires students to read thoughtfully, write clearly, speak confidently, and think critically.
• Maintains high academic expectations while providing encouragement and individualized support.
• Creates an organized, welcoming, and intellectually engaging classroom environment.
• Is comfortable leading discussions about complex literature, cultures, themes, and ideas.
• Understands how to use both written literature and film to deepen student learning.
• Possesses strong instructional, classroom-management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Is collaborative, flexible, reflective, and solutions-oriented.
• Values teamwork and contributes positively to the faculty culture.
• Models integrity, humility, professionalism, curiosity, and servant leadersh