Aspiring Teacher

Job description:

Aspiring Teacher
2026-2027 School Year

School: Chandler Park Academy (Elementary, Middle & High School)

Location: Harper Woods, MI 48225

Job Type: 10-month school year; full-time

Reports To: School Principal

About Chandler Park Academy:

Chandler Park Academy (CPA) is a respected Pre-K-12 charter school district in Harper Woods, Michigan. CPA has a longstanding tradition of serving the community by fostering academic and social development, supported by a dedicated team of educators and staff committed to excellence. Join our collaborative team and help advance a meaningful mission of educational enrichment and student success.

Position Overview: Aspiring Teachers are emerging educators who have made a clear decision to pursue a career in education. At CPA, this role is designed for individuals who have recently earned certification, are actively enrolled in a certification program, or are actively pursuing K-12 certification in a core subject area. Through CPA’s Grow Your Own talent development initiatives, Aspiring Teachers receive meaningful mentorship, professional learning, and financial support as they develop into highly effective classroom educators. They:

• Bring a strong commitment to becoming highly effective teachers through coaching, observation, and deliberate practice.
• Build foundational expertise in standards-aligned instruction, lesson planning, classroom management, and student engagement.
• Use feedback, reflection, and student data to strengthen instructional practice over time.
• Champion CPA’s culture of inclusivity, high expectations, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• One of the following: (a) recently earned a Michigan Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement(s); (b) currently enrolled in an approved teacher certification program; or (c) actively pursuing K-12 certification in a core subject area.
• Demonstrated commitment to completing certification requirements and growing into a highly effective classroom teacher.
• Ability to meet district, school, and applicable state requirements for the assigned instructional role.
• Prior student teaching, substitute teaching, tutoring, paraprofessional, residency, or youth-development experience preferred.

Core Competencies & Dispositions:

• Growth mindset and willingness to receive frequent coaching, feedback, and support.
• Foundational understanding of instructional planning, classroom routines, and age-appropriate student support.
• Strong content knowledge in the assigned or intended certification area.
• Relationship-builder who engages positively with students, families, mentors, and colleagues.
• Organized, dependable, and professional; follows through on commitments and communicates proactively.
• Unwavering belief that all children can succeed, paired with a commitment to culturally responsive, student-centered practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Instructional Practice – Plan and deliver standards-aligned instruction for assigned students and/or classes, with support appropriate to assignment, certification status, and school needs.
• Mentorship & Professional Growth – Participate actively in coaching cycles, classroom observations, feedback sessions, and Grow Your Own professional learning opportunities.
• Collaborative Teaching – Observe, co-plan, and co-teach with mentor or model teachers as appropriate, and gradually assume greater instructional responsibility over time.
• Lesson Planning & Preparation – Prepare lesson plans, instructional materials, and learning tasks that align with curriculum expectations and support diverse learners.
• Classroom Culture – Establish and maintain a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment that supports engagement, belonging, and positive behavior.
• Assessment & Reflection – Use formative assessments, student work, and data discussions to monitor progress, reflect on practice, and adjust instruction.
• Family & Team Partnership – Maintain professional communication with students and families and collaborate effectively with grade-level teams, intervention staff, and school leaders.
• Certification Progress – Maintain active progress toward certification milestones, coursework, testing, and documentation requirements, as applicable.
• Other duties assigned by District Leadership to advance CPA’s mission.

Chandler Park Academy values the growth and development of our internal employees. Internal applicants will receive priority consideration during the first five business days following job approval. External applications will be reviewed after this internal consideration period.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Are you currently enrolled in an approved teacher certification program or actively pursuing K-12 certification in a core subject area?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• relevant (school setting): 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person