1st Grade Teacher - Rockwood Preparatory Academy (2026-27)

Rockwood Preparatory Academy is hiring a 1st grade teacher for the 2026-27 school year. We are a K-5 charter school in the Rockwood neighborhood of Portland, serving students in the Reynolds School District. Our mission is simple: every student who walks through our doors leaves with rock-solid reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling skills.

We run a Direct Instruction model, which means our curriculum is structured, proven, and always focused on student achievement. We believe that where a child comes from has nothing to do with what they're capable of - and we build our school around that belief every single day. That's not just something we say. It shows up in our data, in our classrooms, and in the students who leave RPA reading well above grade level.

If you're the kind of teacher who gets genuinely excited when a student finally cracks the code on reading, who holds high expectations because you actually believe in your students, and who wants to work alongside people who feel the same way - you're going to love it here.

1st grade at RPA is special. This is where foundational reading and math skills take hold, where students discover what they're capable of, and where a great teacher can genuinely change the trajectory of a child's life. If that excites you, keep reading.

What the job looks like:

You'll implement our Direct Instruction curriculum in ELA, math, and spelling, collaborate with your grade-level team through regular planning and professional development, and build real relationships with students and families. We expect professionalism, follow-through, and a genuine investment in the Rockwood community. In return, you'll have a supportive team around you, strong instructional systems that actually work, and leadership that wants to see you succeed.

What we're looking for:

Oregon Teaching License required. Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Strong organizational skills, comfort with technology, and a background check. Most importantly - a belief that all children are capable of high levels of achievement when given the right instruction and support. If you've been looking for a school that shares that belief and actually lives it out, this is it.

The details:

193 work days beginning August 17, 2026, with 165 days of student contact. Daily schedule is 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with required PD until 4:30 on Wednesdays. Teachers have more than an hour and a half of prep time built into every school day. Salary ranges from $42,211 to $79,678+ depending on license type and experience. We cover employer-paid 6% PERS, medical, dental, vision, and EAP. Bonus opportunities available as budget allows.

Come teach with us in Rockwood - we'd love to have you on our team!