26-27 2nd Grade Teacher

Role Description:

As a Lower School Lead 2nd Grade Teacher, you will be responsible for delivering comprehensive and engaging instruction across all core academic subjects and SEL curriculum to our lower elementary grade students. You will work collaboratively with a Lower School Co-Teacher to co-plan, co-instruct, and co-manage a classroom, providing a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for our early elementary students. In this role, you will be responsible for providing direct instruction in whole-group and small-group classroom settings. 

About Èlan Academy:

Founded in 2017, Élan Academy Charter School is an academically challenging, disciplined, and joyful elementary school located in New Orleans, LA. Through a classical curriculum, high-quality instruction, and leadership development, Élan Academy Charter School ensures that all students have the foundation necessary to thrive in secondary school, succeed in college, and access lives of opportunity.

An Élan Academy Teammate…

• Does whatever it takes. 
• We are Élan Academy teachers, not just individual classroom teachers. We recognize that we are all responsible for building, preserving, and maintaining our school culture. 
• Embodies our core values. 
• We want to build a culture of open, honest, and productive dialogue with one another. We are expected to share our ideas, thoughts, and concerns. We value the power of shared leadership.   
• Believes results come from hard work. 
• Our preparation creates the opportunity for success. We understand that Élan Academy’s success is the result of persistent effort, resilience, and a shared dedication to continuous improvement.
• Sweats the small stuff.  
• Every detail matters and helps us build strong daily habits that contribute to success.
• Embodies no-nonsense nurturing. 
• We build meaningful relationships with our students and hold them accountable to meet high expectations.
• Teaches ALL students until they learn. 
• We are committed to providing an equitable learning environment. We ensure that all students have access to high-quality instructional resources and support in order to meet their most rigorous learning outcomes.
• Understands that we are members of one school with one mission, working together at all times. 
• We share our passion for teaching and learning with our colleagues, our students, and our families to achieve the mission.  

Responsibilities:

• Embody & Élan Academy’s mission, vision, and values;
• Participate in an annual summer staff orientation and training;
• Internalize scripted lesson plans and instructional frameworks from various curriculums. 
• Promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through a classical curriculum. 
• Plan and deliver engaging and differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of scholars.
• Utilize various teaching strategies, including hands-on activities, technology integration, and small group instruction.
• Establish/Implement whole school-routines, procedures, and expectations that support academic success and personal growth.
• Create and maintain a positive, inclusive, and organized classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Implement classroom management techniques that promote positive behavior and encourage student participation.
• Work collaboratively with the co-teacher to develop and adapt curriculum aligned with state standards and district goals.
• Design and implementation of formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress.
• Analyze student data to inform instructional practices and provide targeted interventions or enrichment.
• Provide individualized support and accommodations to students with diverse learning needs, including those with special educational requirements or English language learners.
• Collaborate with support staff, such as special education teachers, counselors, and specialists, to ensure comprehensive student support.
• Foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment that celebrates diversity and promotes social-emotional development.
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with the co- teacher, teammates, and parents/guardians.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance pedagogical skills, subject knowledge, and classroom management strategies.
• Contribute to the overall school community by attending meetings, participating in committees, and supporting school-wide initiatives.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (required)
• Louisiana Teaching Certificate (preferred) 
•  2+ years experience teaching in a K-3 classroom (preferred)

Mindset Requirements:

• Believe that there is not a more urgent task than providing an outstanding academic and character education to ALL scholars regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, 
• Believe that the children of New Orleans have been historically underserved, and they deserve an excellent education.  
• Believe the opportunity gap can be eliminated and that this can be accomplished not through heroics but through focused instruction. 
• Believe children can thrive academically, creatively, and emotionally in a highly organized learning environment.
• Believe fostering great relationships with families and stakeholders can lead to transformational learning opportunities. 
• Believe high-quality schools focus on scholar learning and intentionally use data to influence outcomes.
• Believe that all members of the Élan Academy Community are capable of growth. We invest in consistent, measurable, and meaningful learning opportunities that promote academic and personal advancement for all scholars and adults. 
• Believe that the standardized exams our students take (NWEA, iLEAP, STEP, and our Interim Assessments) provide valuable data that must inform our instruction

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, and bend for extended periods.
• Ability to assist students with physical tasks as needed.