Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Middle School Language Arts Teacher Principia School

Title: Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Department/Location: Middle School, St. Louis

Position Type: Full-time, 39-week

Summary

The Middle School Language Arts Teacher advances Principia by delivering rigorous, engaging instruction in reading, writing, and literature; fostering students’ critical thinking and communication skills; and mentoring students in both academic growth and character development. Reporting to the Middle School Principal, this role plays a critical part in cultivating literate, thoughtful, and reflective learners and collaborates closely with Middle School faculty, the Language Arts department, the Learning Engagement Center, and families to support student learning and well-being. Success in this role draws on strengths in student-centered instruction, curriculum design and assessment, differentiation, relationship building, collaboration, and reflective practice.

Who We Are 

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Teach English language arts content and skills, including literature, composition, reading, and journalism, using curriculum designated by the Principia Middle School Language Arts department 
  • Teach sixth, seventh, and eighth grade classes, including daily lesson planning, regular pre‑assessment, and backward unit design using the Understanding by Design framework 
  • Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of mixed ability classrooms 
  • Plan engaging lessons that foster student interest and ownership of learning 
  • Create a classroom environment that develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills essential to effective communication and literate citizenship 
  • Cultivate student appreciation for high-quality‑ literature across genres 
  • Encourage students to read widely for information and enjoyment 
  • Develop students’ critical judgment of written and oral communication, including mass media 
  • Foster a love for language arts and interdisciplinary learning 
  • Monitor and support student progress using multiple assessment tools, including rubrics and proficiency scales 
  • Design experiential learning opportunities that deepen understanding 
  • Integrate technology effectively to enhance learning 
  • Communicate regularly with students and parents regarding student growth in language arts 
  • Participate in weekly faculty meetings focused on student academic and character development 
  • Assess students’ approaches to learning 
  • Support the administration of standardized testing and analyze data to identify trends and inform instruction and student interventions 
  • Collaborate with the Learning Engagement Center to support students receiving push in and pull‑out services 
  • Collaborate across grade levels and departments to support Integrated Studies and other school‑wide initiatives 
  • Participate actively in committee meetings, faculty and parent meetings, and professional development 
  • Support Middle School activities by chaperoning events and trips 
  • Demonstrate a genuine love for working with middle school students and establish respectful, positive rapport 
  • Engage in yearly goal‑setting and regular one-on-one‑ meetings with the supervisor 
  • Reflect regularly on teaching practice and implement continuous improvement 
  • Complete required professional portfolios, including walkthroughs, school visits, reflections, and goal‑setting 
  • Attend conferences to strengthen instructional practice and support Middle School initiatives 
  • Contribute to weekly and annual professional development sessions 
  • Engage in professional learning experiences that advance school initiatives

Core Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

  • Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
  • Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
  • Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
  • Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
  • Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
  • Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
  • Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
  • Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Student of Christian Science preferred
  • Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
  • Bachelor’s degree in English, Literature, Education or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
  • Teaching certification preferred and required within two years of hire
  • Relevant teaching experience with middle school students
  • The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

  • Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
  • Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
  • Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.