Job Description

Position Title: Teacher

School: Sledge Institute

Location: Henderson, NC

Reports To : Principal 

Now Hiring: Elementary & Middle School Teachers: (Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 6th Grade Humanities, 6th Grade STEM, World Languages, & Health/Wellness)

Location: Vance County, NC (Serving the Kerr-Tar Region)

Start Date: Before the official opening, staff will participate in planning and development sessions on select evenings and weekends from March to June 2025. The full-time start date is July 1, 2025.

Application Deadline: Until all positions are filled.

An Opportunity to Build Something Bold

Do you believe that learning should extend beyond the classroom and connect students to the world around them? Are you energized by designing engaging, real-world learning experiences? Do you thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment where flexibility, collaboration, and creativity drive success? Sledge Institute isn’t just a school—it’s a launchpad for possibility. We’re looking for resilient, open-minded, and forward-thinking educators who are ready to co-create something transformative. If you love hands-on, engaging learning, and you’re energized by solving problems, working across disciplines, and shaping the future of education, we want to hear from you!

Who We Are

Sledge Institute is a K-12 charter school designed to prepare students for a world that is constantly evolving. Our learning model is built on six key elements:

Project-Based Learning – Students learn by doing, solving problems, and making connections to the world around them.

Place-Based Education – The local community is our extended classroom, and students engage with it deeply.

Global Education – We equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate an interconnected world.

Competency-Based Learning – Students advance by mastering skills, not just by logging seat time.

Postsecondary Readiness – Whether it’s college, a career, or entrepreneurship, we prepare students for lifelong success.

All-Inclusive Wellness – A whole-child approach ensures students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Our work is grounded in our core values:

Excellence – We set high expectations for students and staff, continuously pushing for growth and achievement.

Community – We cultivate meaningful relationships and work in radical collaboration with students, families, and partners.

Heart – We lead with empathy, passion, and a deep commitment to student success.

Opportunities – We open doors for students to explore their passions, chart their own paths, and thrive.

Your Role as a Teacher

As a founding teacher at Sledge Institute, you will be more than an educator—you’ll be a mentor, designer, and guide in an environment where students are active participants in their learning journey.

What You’ll Do

• Work in radical collaboration with colleagues, families, and community partners to build a student-centered learning experience.
• Engage and communicate effectively with students, families, colleagues, and community partners to foster a collaborative learning environment.
• Design and facilitate meaningful, real-world projects that spark curiosity and equip students with critical skills for the future.
• Demonstrate deep content knowledge aligned with North Carolina Standard Course of Study, while integrating project-based, place-based, and competency-based learning.
• Understand student cognitive development and adapt instruction to support diverse learning styles and individualized growth.
• Exhibit strong organizational skills, balancing instructional planning, student progress monitoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Facilitate dynamic discussions and presentations that encourage inquiry, critical thinking, and student engagement.
• Provide meaningful emotional and social support to students and families, creating a culture of trust, belonging, and well-being
• Serve as an advisor and mentor, helping students develop individual learning plans that align with their interests, strengths, and academic goals.
• Foster a classroom culture that is inclusive, inquiry-driven, and relationship-focused, ensuring every student is valued and supported.
• Use data, student feedback, and reflection to continually adapt and improve your instructional practices.
• Integrate technology and emerging digital tools to enhance learning experiences.
• Develop interdisciplinary, thematic learning experiences that connect across subjects.
• Infuse global perspectives and culturally responsive teaching into your work.
• Engage in continuous professional learning to grow alongside your students and colleagues. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Attributes

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strategic thinking, creativity, and a deep commitment to Sledge Institute’s mission:

• Confident and enthusiastic about working in a start-up environment, embracing both the challenges and the excitement of building something new.
• Thrives in designing systems and learning experiences from the ground up.
• Sees challenges as opportunities for innovation and approaches problems with a growth mindset.
• A strategic and creative thinker with a track record of designing innovative programs or initiatives.
• Excitement about Sledge Institute’s unique educational model, including its six key elements.
• A relationship-driven approach, with an engaging personality that inspires and connects meaningfully with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• A deep commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture that supports both student and staff wellness.
• An ability to navigate complex situations with empathy, integrity, and resilience.
• A passion for education in rural communities and addressing opportunity gaps for students.
• A disposition that embodies Sledge Institute’s core values: Excellence, Community, Heart, and Opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a charter school setting.
• Experience fostering community partnerships and creating interdisciplinary learning opportunities.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.
• Competence with virtual and distance learning strategies and the ability to integrate technology to support personalized learning.

Who We’re Looking For

• A bold thinker and creative problem-solver who is excited to experiment, iterate, and refine.
• A relationship-builder who thrives in a collaborative, high-energy environment.
• A lifelong learner who embraces feedback, reflection, and growth.
• A flexible, adaptive educator who can pivot and adjust in a fast-moving, start-up environment.
• An advocate for equity and student voice, committed to ensuring all learners have the support they need to thrive.

What You’ll Need

• A Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• A valid North Carolina Teaching License (or eligibility to obtain one).
• A passion for project-based learning, competency-based education, and interdisciplinary teaching (experience preferred, but a willingness to learn is essential).
• A commitment to creating culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centered learning experiences.
• Strong classroom management skills that emphasize relationships, trust, and restorative practices.

Why Teach at Sledge Institute?

• Be a part of something new—help shape an innovative, student-centered school from the ground up.
• Teach with purpose—design meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
• Collaborate with an amazing team—we believe in support, creativity, and shared leadership.
• Work in a school that values YOU—your ideas, growth, and well-being matter here.
• Make a difference in rural education—help create opportunities for students in our community.

Compensation and Benefits

Sledge Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Join Us!

At Sledge Institute, we believe that education should be meaningful, engaging, and transformative—for both students and educators. If you’re ready to help students discover their strengths, explore their passions, and develop the skills they need for the future, we’d love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to careers@sledgeinstitute.org to the attention of Dr. Chandra Sledge Mathias, CEO . Please include TEACHING POSITION in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

In compliance with federal law, Sledge Institute administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.

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