Horizons - Classroom K-8 ELA Teacher

As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

Plan and implement ELA instruction for one grade level (K-8) as assigned (1-2 classes/day).

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead ELA teacher for one grade level of students
• Plan and implement ELA instruction. 
• Build strong and mutually respectful relationships with students and their families based on open communication and collaboration, including weekly communications with families on Parentsquare and on the phone.
• Facilitate and sustain an emotionally safe and trauma-informed classroom and program environment.
• Maintain professional boundaries and mutually respectful relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and community partners with the foundation of open communication, respect, and collaboration.
• Work with admin staff and grade band coordinator to develop and implement instruction, and provide meaningful feedback to learners.
• Work in collaboration with a team consisting of a grade band coordinator, math teacher, grade level paraprofessional, classroom coaches, SEL Response team, and volunteers. 
• Live/actualize the HSHU community values. 
• Attend all training, professional learning, onboarding, programming, and community events.
• Collect and input all required metrics, data, and surveys by assigned dates.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Minimum 2-4 years’ experience teaching K-8 ELA.
• Strong background in implementing structured literacy.
• Strong understanding of ELA assessment at different developmental ages/stages.
• Experience working with a wide range of abilities and differentiating learning to meet the needs of all students.
• Experience teaching social-emotional learning and with mentoring.
• Experience building community in middle school classrooms.
• Strong commitment to the HSHU mission.
• Experience with project-based learning.

• Effective oral and communication skills.
• Experience using technology to enhance instruction.
• Skills needed to mentor and coach classroom staff.

Unusual Working Conditions

This is a seasonal summer program position.

This is a half-day position.

Dates of Program:

• Training week: 6/23 through 6/27/25

• Program Days: 6/30 through 8/8/25; two required evening events 8/6/25 & 8/8/25
• Clean-up & Reporting Days: 8/11 & 8/12/25
• Pre-Training Onboarding – Date TBD

Trainings generally run 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Program days are 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.