ACADEMIC TEACHER JOB DESCRIPTION

A teacher who knows their content is only half the job. In adult and alternative education programs, the Academic Teacher also navigates interrupted schooling histories, multilingual classrooms, and compliance regimes such as the Massachusetts College and Career Readiness Standards for Adults and state educator certification requirements that shift by jurisdiction. Lesson design, assessment administration, and student retention all land in the same seat. The work spans district-sponsored professional development obligations and formal reporting to program leadership.

As the Academic Teacher, you deliver standards-aligned instruction to adult and non-traditional learners while maintaining the assessment records and compliance documentation that program accountability depends on. You operate within a structured program hierarchy, collaborating daily with student support staff, faculty teams, and district or facility leadership to sustain learner progress and engagement.

Career Impact: Teaching adult learners under state-specific standards, such as MA DESE ACLS, builds a credential set that is increasingly sought across correctional, workforce development, and community college pipeline programs.

Business Impact: Student retention rates and measurable academic growth in this role feed directly into the program funding and accountability metrics that keep alternative education sites operational.

Growth Opportunity: Mastering differentiated instruction and data-driven lesson design across diverse learner populations opens pathways to instructional coaching, curriculum development, and program coordination roles.

• Deliver standards-aligned lessons using varied instructional methods to meet the academic needs of adult or non-traditional learners.
• Design and implement lesson plans grounded in defined learning objectives, evidence-based strategies, and ongoing assessment of student progress.
• Administer required diagnostic, achievement, and curriculum assessments and maintain accurate student progress records.
• Support student retention by monitoring attendance, communicating proactively with absent learners, and escalating concerns to program support staff.
• Collaborate with faculty, student support teams, and program leadership to align instructional goals and contribute to improvement planning.
• Maintain and submit attendance records, progress reports, and all required program documentation in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development programs, and self-studies to stay current with instructional strategies for the learner population served.
• Manage classroom behavior in a consistent, equitable manner that sustains a positive and achievement-oriented learning environment.

Because hiring teams weigh GED and TABE outcomes heavily, resume samples for this role show how to present that record.

• Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of teaching or instructional experience, with demonstrated success serving adult or non-traditional learner populations.
• Active state teaching license or certification in a relevant content or foundation subject area.
• Knowledge of applicable state educational standards and educator ethics requirements, including state board certification rules.
• Proficiency in designing differentiated instruction for students with diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to apply diagnostic data to guide instructional decisions and adjust lessons to meet individual student performance targets.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate lesson plans, attendance records, and student growth documentation under frequent operational demands.

If diagnostic data assessment feels underdeveloped on your resume, the qualification requirements for this role show where it fits.

• Familiarity with adult literacy frameworks or career and college readiness standards in the relevant state jurisdiction.
• Experience teaching in a correctional, workforce development, or DHS-regulated program setting.
• Proficiency in a second language supporting communication with multilingual learner populations.
• Coursework or certification qualifying the candidate for a supervisory or group-lead designation within a licensed program.

• Student attendance rate reflects consistent learner engagement maintained by this teacher's outreach practices.
• Pre-to-post assessment score gains measure individual academic growth across the instructional period.
• Lesson plan and documentation submission rate, tracking compliance with program and district reporting requirements.
• Student retention percentage indicates how well the teacher sustains enrollment through proactive communication.
• Professional development hours completed annually, per district or facility requirements for this role.

Median pay and the AEL certification pathway get fuller treatment in the academic teacher career guide than this template allows.

• Base Salary Range: $42,000 to $62,000 annually, depending on certification level and program type.
• Bonus: Limited; some programs offer stipends for additional certifications or bilingual designation.
• Equity: Not typically offered in this sector.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage is standard in district and facility-affiliated roles.
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus program or academic calendar breaks where applicable.
• Common Perks: Tuition assistance for continuing education, professional development funding, and pension or retirement plan access in public-sector programs.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion, including applicable criminal history screening, is a condition of employment for all positions. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Candidates must hold valid work authorization in the United States at the time of hire.

Match your state teaching license to a resume that reaches a hiring manager

The Academic Teacher delivers high-school-level instruction via Zoom to adult learners, incorporating Massachusetts College and Career Readiness Standards and culturally relevant practices into every lesson. Collaborating with student support teams and reporting to district leadership, this work directly sustains student retention and academic growth across a diverse, multilingual urban population.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-school-level instruction via Zoom.
• Collaborate with leadership and student support teams to ensure students receive academic and social-emotional assistance.
• Assist with the organization of student orientations twice per year.
• Support student retention and engagement by maintaining communication with absent students and escalating issues to the student support team.
• Plan and deliver lessons utilizing the Massachusetts College and Career Readiness Standards for Adults, incorporating culturally relevant instructional practices and technology.
• Assist in the administration of all mandated state and local assessments, including pre- and post-tests and MCAS.
• Maintain and submit accurate attendance and records on student growth and achievement using the department's SIS.
• Attend district- and state-sponsored professional development opportunities to stay current with instructional strategies for adult learners.

Required Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor's degree.
• Hold a valid Massachusetts Teaching License in the relevant content area.
• Experience teaching in an urban setting and with adult learners, including demonstrated success delivering engaging, organized online lessons accessible to students with diverse levels of digital literacy.
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts College and Career Readiness Standards for Adults and the MA DESE ACLS Standards of Effective Teaching.
• Proficiency in designing and implementing lessons based on well-defined learning objectives, evidence-based instructional strategies, and data-driven assessment of student progress.
• Proficiency in integrating technology into the classroom as an instructional tool and for personal productivity, including maintaining student records in a SIS such as PowerSchool.
• Strong skills in cultural proficiency and differentiated instruction for students with diverse linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Fluency in spoken and written English, with the ability to model excellent English for students; proficiency in one or more additional languages is an asset.
• Current authorization to work in the United States.

Embedded within a correctional education program, the Academic Teacher shapes instruction for adult incarcerated students by planning and delivering lessons aligned to foundational curriculum guides, administering assessments, and maintaining a structured, positive classroom environment. Working closely with faculty and staff development teams, this role supports student performance targets while ensuring full compliance with Texas educator ethics and certification standards.

Core Functions

• Plan and direct learning activities for adult incarcerated students in accordance with curriculum guides.
• Prepare and deliver lessons using varied methods to teach foundational concepts, accommodate individual student needs, and maintain student engagement.
• Administer diagnostic, achievement, and curriculum assessments as required, and maintain accurate student progress records.
• Manage student behavior in a firm, fair, and consistent manner, and create a positive classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Collaborate with staff in planning and implementing instructional goals, objectives, and improvement plans, and serve on curriculum and other committees as assigned.
• Attend faculty meetings and participate in staff development programs, evaluations, and self-studies as required.
• Submit reports, maintain lesson plans and attendance records, and comply with all applicable policies, procedures, and statutory regulations.
• Maintain confidentiality in handling sensitive information and perform duties in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner.

Qualifications & Experience

• Hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Hold an Elementary or Secondary certification in a foundation subject area, meeting all State Board for Educator Certification requirements.
• Experience applying a systems approach to instruction, including the use of diagnostic data to guide instructional decisions and meet student performance targets.
• Knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, and policies, including the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.
• Strong skills in organizing and maintaining accurate records, including lesson plans, attendance, and student progress documentation.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication, with the ability to convey ideas and instructions clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively under frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control.
• Ability to perform the full physical duties of the position, including lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, and to use personal technology to complete job duties remotely as required.

Reporting to program and host school leadership, the Classroom Teacher leads a mixed-age group of children through remote academic support and enrichment activities spanning homework help, arts, literacy, and active play. Partnering with families, program staff, and district teams, this work ensures children meet individual academic needs while maintaining a positive, achievement-oriented learning environment.

Primary Duties

• Adhere to program philosophy, standards, curriculum, and assessment methods, and comply with all program, district, and DHS professional expectations and requirements.
• Support students in participating in and completing remote school learning, and maintain accountability for meeting individual academic and instructional needs.
• Develop and implement enrichment activities that support remote learning across a variety of areas, including homework support, arts, music, dramatic play, literacy, math, science, cultural awareness, and active play.
• Interact with children to encourage personal development and involvement in activities, and maintain a positive, achievement-oriented classroom environment.
• Communicate effectively with children, families, program staff, and host school staff.
• Maintain accurate records, including accident and incident reports, sign-in/out sheets, attendance records, progress reports, and observation forms.
• Comply with all program and district professional development requirements, and obtain and maintain all required new-hire certifications and trainings within 90 days of hire.

Skills & Qualifications

• Hold an Education degree or equivalent; Teacher certification from any state is preferred.
• Possess experience and coursework sufficient to qualify as a DHS Group Supervisor.
• Experience developing classroom enrichment activities, managing daily schedules, and demonstrating high achievement in a classroom setting.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in differentiated instructional practices and strategies, with demonstrated mastery of academic standards and instructional rigor.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage records, schedules, and multi-stakeholder communication effectively.