Joshua Academy was founded in 2023 as a ministry of Jubilee Church, a non-denominational church in Van Buren, AR. Our school exists to teach children how to discover God’s story for their lives. Our mission is to prepare future-ready kids who demonstrate excellence in mind, body, and spirit, to boldly engage with the world as image bearers of Christ. Joshua Academy uses the Redemptive Education curriculum that is Biblical, Relational, Integral, and Experiential. We emphasize high levels of student engagement, outdoor-based pedagogy, and a mastery-based approach to teaching and learning in math and literacy that inspires children toward excellence in mind, body, and spirit.

We launched our school in the Fall of 2023 with Kindergarten through 5th grade with 37 students, and now serve 121 students in K-7th grade. We will add 8th grade in Fall 2025 and at least one grade each year until we are a K-12 school at full build-out. Our curriculum is arranged in 2-year cycles in K-5th grade and a 3-year cycle for Middle School. Teachers in K-5th “loop” with their students, following the same group of students through the 2-year curricular cycle in the following way: Kindergarten/1st grade, 2nd/3rd grade, 4th/5th grade. Middle school teachers will teach in their content area to 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as well as the general Redemptive Education curriculum to a “homeroom” group.

Job Summary

We are seeking Christ-centered, innovative teacher candidates for two Kindergarten and one Middle School (6th-8th) Math position to start in Fall 2025. Successful candidates will be able to articulate a commitment to our CORE VALUES, including: effective communication skills (written and spoken), servant leadership of children, a growth mindset, creativity, and care for the whole child (mind, body, spirit).  

Teachers are expected to deeply immerse in and instruct the Redemptive Education curriculum, including a robust engagement with the outdoors in all weather; shepherding students in the class and in the school community at large; interacting with parents, colleagues, and leadership with grace and truth; participating in daily Welcome (devotional and worship time with students and staff); and strategizing collaboratively with colleagues, students, parents and leadership.

Teachers report directly to the Head of School and participate in weekly teacher meetings, school events, and professional development prior to and throughout the school year. Teachers complete Redemptive Education certification and Continuing Education in Redemptive Education.

INSTRUCTIONS: Applicants should submit a current CV/resume and cover letter to: kara@joshua-academy.org. In the cover letter, please address: 1) how you demonstrate the Qualities of a Redemptive Educator (below), 2) grade level you are applying for, 3) names and contact info for 3 professional references, 4) an acknowledgement that you meet all of the Required Qualifications, and 5) any of the Preferred Qualifications you meet.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Monday, April 21st and will continue until positions are filled.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Guide the elementary or middle school educational process with excellence, for up to 20 students using hands-on learning based both indoors and outdoors.

2. Implement Redemptive Education curriculum lesson plans, and seek creative opportunities to reinforce the content in meaningful ways.

3. Assess each student’s math and/or English language arts level in order to properly place them at the right starting point in those areas.

4. Maintain a positive classroom climate in accordance with our mission and teach students to use the SORI principle that emphasizes: Stewardship, Obedience, Respect, Integrity.

5. Establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with staff, students, administrators, and parents by communicating regularly and effectively, orally and in writing.

6. Plan and facilitate parent-teacher conferences two times per year.

7. Attend all staff and professional development meetings.

8. Participate in school programs and other special school events including morning welcome, chapel, drop-off and lunch duties on a rotational basis, field trips with the class, and the annual school donor event.

9. Act as an ambassador for the school to the community, serve as an example of what it means to be an image-bearer of Christ at all times, and model the qualities of a Redemptive Educator.

10. Support colleagues through teamwork, collaboration, flexibility, and proactive communication.

The Qualities of a Redemptive Educator are:

• A CHRIST-CENTERED FAITH - We are looking for teachers of great faith in Jesus Christ who can help lead students as our school grows. Teachers must love children and passionately believe that every child deserves to learn in a grace-filled environment where they are known, loved, respected, and challenged to reach their full potential.

• A GROWTH MINDSET - Teachers must possess an active curiosity about the world and demonstrate a growth mindset and an enthusiasm to try new things.

• EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION - Teachers must have effective communication skills and a gentle and gracious way with communicating with others. They must be teachable, with a receptivity and responsiveness in listening, receiving, and sharing feedback and information.

• CREATIVITY - Teachers must be creative and take initiative in cultivating a fresh and dynamic engagement with the curriculum and an ability to instruct, inspire, and assess students using a variety of strategies and approaches.

• SERVANT LEADERSHIP – Teachers must have a readiness to identify needs and contribute to solutions and a quiet confidence in all areas of responsibility.

• CARE FOR THE WHOLE CHILD – Teachers must demonstrate a dedication to the cultivation of the child’s intellectual, spiritual, social, physical, and emotional development.

Required Background, Competencies & Expertise

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a field of study relevant to the position by August 1, 2025.

2. Ability and willingness to obtain an Arkansas Teaching License within two years of the start of employment.

3. Successful experience working in formal educational contexts with Elementary or Middle School students.

4. Demonstrated success reflecting the Qualities of a Redemptive Educator.

5. An excitement about teaching outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions.

6. An active member or regular attender of an evangelical Christian church.

7. Agreement with our Statement of Faith and Statement on Life, Marriage, Gender Identity and Human Sexuality.

Preferred Background, Competencies & Expertise

1. Valid Arkansas Teaching License

2. Experience as an Elementary or Middle School Teacher

3. Experience working in a private, Christian school

4. Experience in the outdoors

Physical Work Requirements:

1. Frequent use of fine motor and gross motor skills with fingers, hands, and arms.

2. Frequent standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and climbing stairs.

3. Frequent teaching outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions.

4. Must be able to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally up to 50 lbs.

5. Professional appearance appropriate for school and community meetings and events.

6. Infrequent evening work.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary is $50,000+ per year according to the 2024-25 Van Buren School District salary schedule commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• Summer accreditation work may be available for additional pay.

• Low-deductible Group Health, Dental and Vision Insurance through United Healthcare – monthly insurance premiums paid 100% for the employee. Family coverage can be added for an additional cost to the employee.

• Employee contribution to 403(b) retirement plan (no employer match at this time).

• 10 paid days off for illness, family illness, or personal leave (to be used at employee’s discretion).

• Professional Development in Redemptive Education paid by the school.