Teach the Way You Always Hoped You Could.
Imagine teaching in a classroom where you truly know every student. Where you have the freedom to be creative, design engaging lessons, build meaningful relationships, and help students discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
That's what teaching at Academy Schools looks like.
Academy Schools is a small, independent K–12 school serving approximately 30 students in Tukwila, Washington. Our students are bright, creative, funny, curious, and wonderfully unique. They also learn differently than many students in traditional schools.
We're looking for an exceptional classroom teacher who believes every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of how they learn.
Depending on the strengths of the successful candidate, this position will either teach our Grades 1–3 classroom or one of our upper school classrooms. Teachers with a background or passion for visual arts are especially encouraged to apply, as there may be opportunities to teach art classes as part of the schedule.
What Makes Academy Schools Different?
Most of our students have autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, or other neurodevelopmental differences. Many have experienced years of frustration before finding success at Academy Schools.
We believe that students learn best when they feel understood, respected, and challenged—not when they are expected to fit into a one-size-fits-all educational model.
Our classrooms are intentionally small so teachers can individualize instruction, build authentic relationships, and create engaging learning experiences that honor each student's strengths while helping them grow.
Our teachers don't simply deliver curriculum.
They inspire curiosity.
They solve problems.
They adapt.
They celebrate progress.
They help students rediscover the joy of learning.
About Our Students
Our students are incredible—but they are not always easy.
Some students may:
- Need frequent movement breaks or sensory supports
- Become dysregulated when frustrated
- Struggle with transitions
- Use strong language during moments of stress
- Avoid difficult work
- Need explicit support with executive functioning
- Learn at very different academic levels than their peers
We don't see these behaviors as evidence that students are "bad."
We see behavior as communication.
Our teachers work to understand what students are experiencing, teach replacement skills, maintain calm and consistent expectations, and build classrooms where students feel safe enough to grow.
If that philosophy excites you, you'll probably love working here.
What You'll Do
As a classroom teacher, you will:
- Teach a small class of elementary or upper school students.
- Create engaging, standards-based lessons that inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
- Differentiate instruction to meet diverse academic, social-emotional, and executive functioning needs.
- Design hands-on, project-based learning experiences.
- Build strong relationships with students and families.
- Foster a structured, positive classroom culture built on trust, consistency, and high expectations.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues to support student growth.
- Assess student learning and adjust instruction based on student needs.
- Help shape the future of our growing independent school.
- Potentially teach visual art classes based on your interests and experience.
Who Thrives at Academy Schools
You'll likely thrive here if you:
- Love teaching and genuinely enjoy being around children.
- Believe every student deserves dignity, belonging, and high expectations.
- Can separate a student's behavior from who they are as a person.
- Stay calm when students become dysregulated.
- Believe relationships are the foundation for meaningful learning.
- Enjoy creating engaging, hands-on lessons rather than following a script.
- Are flexible and enjoy solving instructional challenges.
- Are a learner who is always seeking to grow
- Find joy in celebrating small victories that become life-changing successes over time.
- Want to be part of a close-knit team where your ideas matter.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
- Two or more years of classroom teaching experience
- Strong classroom management and relationship-building skills
- Experience planning and delivering engaging classroom instruction
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work on-site in Tukwila, WA
Preferred Qualifications
- Washington State Teaching Certificate (or ability to obtain one)
- Experience teaching elementary or middle school students
- Experience teaching students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or learning differences
- Experience in an independent, private, alternative, or small school setting
- Experience with project-based learning
- Experience with Understanding by Design (UbD), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), or differentiated instruction
- Background in visual arts or experience teaching art classes
Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Describe your experience teaching students with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or other learning differences.
- What experience do you have teaching visual art or integrating art into your classroom?
Education:
Experience:
- teaching: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Washington State Teaching Certificate (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Tukwila, WA 98168 (Required)
Work Location: In person
