Description

The First Academy is a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Orlando and affirms the church’s doctrinal statements, including the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, as faithful expressions of historic evangelical Christianity.

Due to anticipated enrollment growth, The First Academy seeks a dynamic and mission-aligned Upper School English Teacher dedicated to fostering a rigorous, Christ-centered learning environment across a variety of secondary literature and composition courses. The ideal candidate will be equipped to lead diverse classrooms—ranging from foundational 9th and 10th-grade College Prep to Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Literature—by integrating a biblical worldview with high-level instruction in grammar, rhetorical strategy, and literary analysis. Whether guiding students through the complexities of world literature or mentoring seniors in sophisticated critical writing, the educator must demonstrate a mastery of inductive and deductive reasoning, a commitment to developing students' oral communication skills, and the ability to challenge Honors and AP learners toward deep intellectual maturity.

Core Instructional Competencies
Critical Literary Analysis: Moving beyond plot summary to evaluate structure, theme, and authorial intent in world and classical literature.
Rhetorical Strategy Mastery: Developing the ability to identify and utilize modes of discourse, persuasive techniques, and rhetorical appeals (Ethos, Pathos, Logos) in both reading and writing.
Analytical Writing Depth: Advancing from basic composition to complex argumentative essays that exhibit a mature grasp of literary criticism, syntax, and voice.
Logical Reasoning: Integrating inductive and deductive reasoning into written and oral communication to build sound, evidence-based arguments.
Linguistic Development: Investigating the historical development of the English language and applying a robust vocabulary and advanced grammar to professional and academic contexts.
Contextual Synthesis: Demonstrating an understanding of how history, culture, and philosophy inform literary works and relating those themes to contemporary experiences.
Worldview Discernment: Reflecting on the "Big Story" of Scripture while engaging with secular texts, identifying where human philosophy aligns with or diverges from a biblical worldview.

Requirements

Required Education: Possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. A Master's degree in Education or the specific subject area is preferred.

Subject Expertise: Degree emphasis in the area of instruction or a directly related field is strongly preferred.

Communication Skills: Possess solid, professional communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with students, parents, and colleagues. This includes the ability to present complex information clearly and engage in constructive dialogue.

Organizational Skills: Exhibit strong organizational skills, including efficient time management, meticulous record-keeping, and the ability to finish tasks in a timely manner and manage multiple classroom responsibilities simultaneously.

Collaboration: Proven ability to effectively partner and collaborate with colleagues, administration, and parents to support the holistic development of students.

Confidentiality: Absolute ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to all sensitive school, student, and personnel matters, adhering to ethical and legal standards.

Work Ethic: Demonstrate a strong work ethic, professionalism, reliability, and punctuality.

Instructional Technology: Experience with and aptitude for using current educational technology to enhance classroom instruction, student engagement, and professional tasks.

Certification Requirement: Hold or be eligible to obtain a valid teaching certificate:
Licensure by a regional accreditation agency (e.g., ACSI) is highly preferred.
Valid/Professional State Teacher's Certification (e.g., Florida Teacher’s Certification) 
Eligibility for a Temporary State Certificate within 30 days of employment, with the expectation that a permanent certification is secured within three (3) years.

Teaching Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of successful classroom teaching experience in the subject area is recommended.
Demonstrated Ability: Possess demonstrated expertise and ability to manage, instruct, and motivate students, or provide equivalent proven subject expertise through related professional work experience.