Language Arts Teacher

Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) provides job training programs, wraparound support, and alternative high school education with the mission to support low-income young adults, ages 17 to 26, who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community. At PYB, students develop marketable employment skills in construction while learning the soft skills necessary to launch successful careers.

PYB is deeply committed to continuously working to make our organization a more equitable and just place for both students and staff. As it is written in our equity statement: At PYB, we believe that communities are strengthened when diversity is honored. We believe we have a responsibility to interrupt and confront inequity. At PYB, we commit to continuously reflect and challenge the ways in which we, as a community, and as individuals, perpetuate inequity. It is not only vital to our students' success but essential to our purpose.

POSITION SUMMARY

Develop curriculum and provide relevant and engaging instruction utilizing a culturally and linguistically responsive lens for language arts classes. Focus on all areas of language arts to support multiple levels of reading and writing with a goal of developing critical thinking as well as technical writing skills. The language arts classes are designed to develop the literacy skills of students at all levels and prepare them for the GED and postsecondary education.

We are seeking someone who is committed to educational equity and inspired by working with young people from diverse backgrounds who are transforming their lives through academic learning, job readiness training, and service. The teacher will work closely with the Career Services team and Jobsite Trainers to support students as they develop the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary for success in career placement, postsecondary education, and/or training. PYB's relational model is supported by small class sizes and above-average planning/prep time.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Reports to: Academic Manager

Position Starts: On or after October, 1 2026

Compensation: Starting salary $65,000-$70,000 per year

Employment Status: Regular, Exempt

Benefits: Seven weeks paid vacation per year during PYB closures -4 weeks Summer Break, 2 weeks Winter Break, and 1 week Spring Break; most state recognized holidays paid; 12 days per year Personal Time Off; $700/month added to salary for Section 125 cafeteria plan to cover employee's health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, and/or retirement savings; dollar-for-dollar employer match for retirement contributions up to 3% of salary with immediate vesting; employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance; dynamic environment with great team of students and staff. Additionally, staff are provided financial support for licensure renewal fees.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The duties for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Teaching

• Design assignments and projects using a culturally and linguistically responsive approach to support and advance students toward high school completion and postsecondary readiness
• Effectively develop and differentiate curriculum for a range of learners
• Provide targeted literacy instruction for students with a broad range of reading and writing abilities, building the skills and confidence needed for high school completion and postsecondary success.
• Design and implement curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards and GED standards to support students across multiple high school completion pathways.
• Routinely use formative and summative assessments to plan for and monitor individual achievement and provide students with specific feedback on their progress.
• Utilize a variety of methods of instruction; emphasize real-world relevance through curriculum that is connected to students' lives
• Collaborate with students, Career Advocates, and other relevant staff to identify barriers to academic progress and develop individualized strategies for success.
• Build authentic relationships with students; create an inclusive classroom learning environment that validates and affirms students' various identities while supporting students who may have anxieties with writing and academics in general
• Provide effective classroom management using a culturally and linguistically responsive and strengths-based approach
• Routinely and innovatively use technology for teaching and learning
• Employ a collegial approach to curriculum development and instruction

Advocacy and Case Management

• Participate in cross-departmental Case Management teams, as needed, with a focus on high school completion and a student's transition after PYB into postsecondary education or training
• Design individualized academic support plans and individualized schedules for students
• Participate in development and review of IEPs for Special Education students
• Assist students with short- and long-term planning for their future
• Maintain student records and fulfill all responsibilities as a Case Management team member

General

• Collaborate with colleagues-be open, energetic, innovative, and flexible
• Attend staff meetings, department meetings, and all-staff professional development
• Execute delegated responsibilities
• Strong ability to utilize data to identify needed changes and the flexibility to adapt as necessary to improve student experience and learning.

QUALIFYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Language Arts classroom/instructional/curriculum development experience
• Culturally competent instructional practice
• Willingness to engage in professional conversation about race equity, gender equity as well as other forms of equity
• Ability to cultivate authentic one-on-one supportive relationships with students from diverse backgrounds, including the lost and forgotten
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to hold students accountable to high expectations and provide direct, clear, and kind feedback
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information, when appropriate
• Ability to adapt and work through uncertainties
• Capacity to collaborate with colleagues to facilitate student success

Preferred:

• Master's of Education (Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching and Learning, etc.)
• Oregon Teaching Certification in language arts or 3 years of experience teaching language arts
• Training, certification, or demonstrated experience applying Science of Reading-aligned practices to support young adult learners with a range of literacy needs.
• Additional certifications: ESL, Science of Reading, Special Ed a plus
• Strong knowledge of the GED and the Common Core standards

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for your interest in joining the staff at Portland YouthBuilders. We offer a unique selection process designed to give you multiple opportunities to demonstrate your skills and abilities. The length and rigor of our process reflect our commitment to high-quality, data-driven instruction and preparing our students to go to and through postsecondary education and training.

Our selection process entails:

• Application
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Screener Interview - Shorter-form Zoom/phone interview with hiring manager to assess initial fit.
• First Interview with full panel
• Teaching demonstration and second interview with full panel - We would like to observe you teaching and view a sample of your lesson/unit planning. You will provide a detailed daily lesson plan and a brief unit outline of how your demo lesson would fit within your class. You will then select a portion of the daily lesson to demo for the hiring committee, including current students. The sample lesson demo should provide the hiring committee with an opportunity to view your practice. After you teach, you will be given time to reflect upon the lesson that you taught.

Please email your application (cover letter and resume) to jobs@pybpdx.org. We will be reviewing applications as they come in until the position is filled. Please send your cover letter and resume as attachments (Word or PDF). Applications without a cover letter or resume will not be considered. No phone calls or visits. For more information, visit our website at www.pybpdx.org.

Portland YouthBuilders' mission connects us to people and communities across Portland. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and an equal opportunity program. In accordance with Federal Law no person shall be discriminated against or denied benefits as a participant, administrator or staff based on age, disability, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy or childbirth), race/ethnicity, national origin (including limited English proficiency), citizenship or status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, political affiliation or religious belief. Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY 1-800-735-2900. To place a free relay call in Oregon, dial 711.

PYB's YouthBuild program is funded 40% through a Federal award of $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor-ETA for the YouthBuild Program Initiative; financed with funds provided through Worksystems from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and Prosper Portland; and has been made possible in part by grants from the City of Portland, the Portland Children's Levy, and the Oregon Youth Development Division.

PYB employees and full-time volunteers must successfully complete a criminal background and drug test check prior to employment. Portland YouthBuilders is a Drug Free Workplace and adheres to the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act. Portland YouthBuilders' students and staff may be subject to random drug tests.