Elementary School Teacher

What You’ll Do

• Work in radical collaboration with colleagues, families, and community partners to build a student-centered learning experience.
• Engage and communicate effectively with students, families, colleagues, and community partners to foster a collaborative learning environment.
• Design and facilitate meaningful, real-world projects that spark curiosity and equip students with critical skills for the future.
• Demonstrate deep content knowledge aligned with North Carolina Standard Course of Study, while integrating project-based, place-based, and competency-based learning.
• Understand student cognitive development and adapt instruction to support diverse learning styles and individualized growth.
• Exhibit strong organizational skills, balancing instructional planning, student progress monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Facilitate dynamic discussions and presentations that encourage inquiry, critical thinking, and student engagement.
• Provide meaningful emotional and social support to students and families, creating a culture of trust, belonging, and well-being
• Serve as an advisor and mentor, helping students develop individual learning plans that align with their interests, strengths, and academic goals.
• Foster a classroom culture that is inclusive, inquiry-driven, and relationship-focused, ensuring every student is valued and supported.
• Use data, student feedback, and reflection to continually adapt and improve your instructional practices.
• Integrate technology and emerging digital tools to enhance learning experiences.
• Develop interdisciplinary, thematic learning experiences that connect across subjects.
• Infuse global perspectives and culturally responsive teaching into your work.
• Engage in continuous professional learning to grow alongside your students and colleagues. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Attributes

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic thinking, creativity, and a deep commitment to Sledge Institute’s mission:

• Confident and enthusiastic about working in a start-up environment, embracing both the challenges and the excitement of building something new.
• Thrives in designing systems and learning experiences from the ground up.
• Sees challenges as opportunities for innovation and approaches problems with a growth mindset.
• A strategic and creative thinker with a track record of designing innovative programs or initiatives.
• Excitement about Sledge Institute’s unique educational model, including its six key elements.
• A relationship-driven approach, with an engaging personality that inspires and connects meaningfully with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• A deep commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture that supports both student and staff wellness.
• An ability to navigate complex situations with empathy, integrity, and resilience.
• A passion for education in rural communities and addressing opportunity gaps for students.
• A disposition that embodies Sledge Institute’s core values: Excellence, Community, Heart, and Opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a charter school setting.
• Experience fostering community partnerships and creating interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.
• Competence with virtual and distance learning strategies and the ability to integrate technology to support personalized learning.

Who We’re Looking For

• A bold thinker and creative problem-solver who is excited to experiment, iterate, and refine.
• A relationship-builder who thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment.
• A lifelong learner who embraces feedback, reflection, and growth.
• A flexible, adaptive educator who can pivot and adjust in a fast-moving, start-up environment.
• An advocate for equity and student voice, committed to ensuring all learners have the support they need to thrive.

What You’ll Need

• A Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• A valid North Carolina Teaching License (or eligibility to obtain one).
• A passion for project-based learning, competency-based education, and interdisciplinary teaching (experience preferred, but a willingness to learn is essential).
• A commitment to creating culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centered learning experiences.
• Strong classroom management skills that emphasize relationships, trust, and restorative practices.

Why Teach at Sledge Institute?

• Be a part of something new—help shape an innovative, student-centered school from the ground up.
• Teach with purpose—design meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
• Collaborate with an amazing team—we believe in support, creativity, and shared leadership.
• Work in a school that values YOU—your ideas, growth, and well-being matter here.
• Make a difference in rural education—help create opportunities for students in our community.