Combined Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Teacher

Job Title: Combined Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Teacher
Location: Hope Academy Wichita, Wichita, KS
Employment Type: Part-Time (Monday-Thursday, approx. 8:45am-1:00pm)
Salary: $16,500 (August–May)

About Us:

Hope Academy Wichita is a C5 Urban School Initiative District School, established in 2025. C5 USI is a network of classical Christian schools primarily serving the under-resourced, under-served, urban community with a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual formation. Hope Academy's mission is to provide the richest of educations to all children in our city. Hope Academy’s vision is that all children be formed, empowered and equipped in their own neighborhood to thrive through God’s Kingdom kindnesses of rich education, robust supports, and the historic practices of the Church.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a compassionate, missionary-hearted, tough-skinned, enthusiastic, and joy-filled junior kindergarten and kindergarten combined classroom teacher to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a deep love for children, a strong commitment to Christian education, and a desire to provide a highly structured yet joyful (“warm/strict”) learning experience. A C5 teacher must not be afraid to hold students accountable every day of the school year. They must be willing to challenge and to be challenged. This teacher will be responsible for implementing a classical curriculum, fostering a Christ-centered classroom culture, and partnering with parents/care-takers to support student growth academically, spiritually, and socially.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implement a classical Christian curriculum that emphasizes phonics-based reading, handwriting, biblical/historical literacy, and foundational math skills. JK/Kindergarten curriculum will utilize EBLI for the development of literacy, hand-writing, and reading comprehension. Mathematics will be taught using the Singapore method. History will be taught using Story of the World. Training in each of these curricula will be provided and supported. 
• Integrate biblical truths into daily lessons, modeling Christ-like character in interactions with students and families.
• Create a structured, engaging, high-expectations/high-accountability/high-support and nurturing classroom environment that supports the holistic development of each child.
• Establish highly-structured classroom routines that promote discipline, respect, and responsibility. 
• Teach in congruity with Teach Like a Champion principles. 
• Follow Understanding by Design (UbD) framework for curriculum & unit planning. Adapt lesson planning protocols to fit in with the UbD framework for curriculum & unit planning.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians, encouraging their involvement in their child’s education.
• Collaborate with fellow teachers and school leadership to ensure alignment with the school’s mission and academic goals.
• Participate in staff devotions, professional development, and school community events.

Qualifications:

• A strong, personal commitment to Jesus Christ, the local church, and agreement with the C5 USI statement of faith in word and deed. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or a related field (or equivalent experience) preferred. Experience teaching children in lieu of the above will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Teacher certification is not required.
• Experience in classical education or willingness to learn and implement classical pedagogy is essential.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Strong classroom management skills (or willingness to learn/follow best-practices) and the ability to create a joyful, disciplined, high-expectations/high-accountability/high-support (“warm/strict”) learning environment.
• Passion for working with children from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and a missionary heart for urban ministry.
• Readiness to be flexible and adapt to unexpected circumstances that come with doing ministry in an under-resourced, under-served community.
• Willingness to get involved in students’ lives and their families’ lives through planned visits/meetings as well as through unplanned interactions and support.  
• Willingness to be held accountable to high expectations and to hold students accountable to high expectations.
• Strong commitment to protecting children through following best practices of Child Protection Plan policies. 

Benefits:

• Fair salary commensurate with experience.
• Professional development opportunities in classical Christian education.
• Supportive and highly mission-driven work environment.
• Opportunity to be deeply engaged in a transformative education.
• Tuition discounts for staff children.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to C5 USI Executive Director, Josh Dyson, at JDyson@c5usi.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

C5 USI is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals who support our mission and values. Every individual is unique, created as an image-bearer by Almighty God; therefore, C5 USI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its personnel, admissions, athletic, financial assistance, and educational policies or any other school-administered program.