5th/6th Grade Humanities and Electives Teacher

Position Title: Humanities Teacher, Grades 5th - 6th

Supervisor: CAO / Principal

Contract: Part-Time or Full-Time Option

Contract Dates: August 10, 2026, to May 27, 2027

Start Date: August 10, 2026

Benefits available: Utah Retirement System, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Short-Term Disability

About Salt Lake Arts Academy

Salt Lake Arts Academy is a fully accredited public charter school with over 20 years of excellence in integrated education. We deliver the Common Core curriculum enriched by immersive, daily arts experiences. Alongside our core Humanities, Science, and Math faculty, we employ full-time faculty in Music, Visual Arts, Digital Arts, Dance, and Drama, ensuring every student receives at least one hour of professional arts instruction every day.

As an urban school, we view the city as our extended classroom. We actively engage with our community’s resources and utilize public transportation to teach our students how to navigate and appreciate their city. Regular field trips throughout the valley via public transit are a staple of our experiential learning model, fostering independence and a deep connection to the community.

Our Mission

The mission of the Salt Lake Arts Academy is to prepare students to become confident and creative builders of their future, equipped through the arts and academics to take responsibility for shaping their communities.

Our talented faculty are committed to collaborative teaching and learning across disciplines. Our diverse student body comes to school from 33 different zip codes. Our parent community is involved and supportive.

Qualifications

Licensure & Certification Candidates must hold a valid Professional State of Utah Elementary Teaching License with the appropriate subject-area endorsements. We also welcome applications from those with an Associate Educator License (AEL) or a valid out-of-state license that is eligible for reciprocity in Utah.

Instructional Excellence & Equity

The ideal candidate brings proven classroom experience with a deep commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy. Experience in successfully engaging culturally and ethnically diverse student populations and possessing a sophisticated understanding of trauma-informed teaching. Skilled in implementing restorative practices to build a supportive, inclusive classroom community that prioritizes both accountability and student well-being.

​​Role Overview & Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic educator to join our integrated Humanities program, where curriculum is delivered through one-hour blocks of English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies. While these subjects are scheduled as separate sessions, high-level thematic integration is a core tenet of our pedagogy. In this role, you will deliver a balanced Humanities curriculum to combined 5th and 6th-grade cohorts, utilizing an A/B year rotation. Your daily schedule will consist of leading five instructional blocks across multiple classroom settings, with a prep period. Central to our academic approach is a commitment to arts integration; you will be expected to weave creative expression into rigorous academic instruction to maintain high levels of student engagement and curiosity.

This role will require strong collaboration skills, flexibility, and adaptability. We have a strong student support team to assist you, including the Director of Academic Engagement, Social Workers, Director of Inclusive Education, Dean of Students, and Principal.

If you are seeking a part-time role, the position includes teaching one hour of English Language Arts (ELA) and one hour of Social Studies each day. For candidates interested in a full-time opportunity, the role can be expanded to include three additional arts-integrated elective courses for students in grades 6 through 8. These electives are designed as a ‘low-stakes’ laboratory for self-discovery, allowing students to explore diverse interests (such as urban arts, art in nature, dungeons and dragons, coding, interior design, or photography). These courses help our students build a sense of identity and connection with classmates who share similar passions and stay highly engaged in their learning experience.

We are happy to tailor the role based on your interests and strengths, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss these options in greater detail during the application and interview process.

Professional Standards

• Inclusive Environment: Maintain an educational program and classroom culture rooted in the firm belief that every child can succeed.
• Differentiated Learning: Utilize, adapt, and individualize instructional materials to meet the diverse needs, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds of all students.
• Holistic Assessment: Regularly evaluate students’ developmental, cognitive, and social needs to provide age-appropriate, targeted instruction.
• Positive Climate: Facilitate healthy interactions between students, peers, and staff, while modeling the behavioral and academic expectations set for the student body.
• Student-Centered Advocacy: Ensure the needs and rights of students remain the primary driver of all educational and restorative decision-making.
• Family Partnership: Maintain consistent, transparent communication with families to involve them in educational decisions and leverage community resources to enhance learning.
• Professional Growth: Actively participate in ongoing staff, team, and individual professional development to stay current with pedagogical best practices.
• Peer Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues to develop and implement high-level, integrated curricula tailored to the unique abilities and interests of our student population.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:

It is the policy of the Salt Lake Arts Academy to provide equal educational and employment opportunities for all individuals. Therefore, the Salt Lake Arts Academy prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This policy extends to all aspects of the Salt Lake Arts Academy educational programs, as well as all school-sponsored activities.

Pay: $30,000.00 - $77,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person