Teacher (Boyle Youth)

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What its really like to join our agency

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. Weve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams. We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

Why teach at Five Keys?

Five Keys Charter School is seeking a passionate and dynamic high school teacher for a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. Five Keys is an alternative high school designed to do right by its students—offering pathways to success for those who didn’t thrive in traditional school settings. We serve youth who deserve a second chance in an environment that values flexibility, respect, and personalized support.

• Small Class Sizes – Limited enrollment of approximately 100 students means you’ll truly get to know and support your students
• Personalized Instruction – Use a hybrid model combining site-based teaching and independent study to tailor education to each student’s needs
• Collaborative Environment – Join a supportive team of educators who work closely together to help every student succeed
• Whole-Person Approach – We value social-emotional growth just as much as academic achievement
• Healthy, Safe Environment – We are committed to creating a physically and emotionally safe space where students feel respected, supported, and able to learn
• Mission-Driven Work – Be part of a school that believes every student deserves dignity, opportunity, and someone who believes in them

The teacher we're looking for is...

A dedicated, student-centered educator who genuinely enjoys building connections within the community. If this job is for you, you are seeking a school that leads with heart, purpose, and equity. You view teaching as a commitment and a mission, not just a job. You find meaning in working with students navigating barriers, and believe in showing up, even on hard days. If you teach with empathy and intention, and believe every student deserves someone in their corner, Five Keys is the right fit for you.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403(b) are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The Teacher position reports to the Principal and is accountable for creating a learning and work environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking through an equity lens. Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, providing direct teaching and instruction, grading assignments, customizing curriculum so it’s impactful for our unique student population, evaluating students’ progress, and planning educational activities. It will be vital to provide knowledge and instruction in alignment with California’s teaching standards, to students while also helping them develop their academic and life skill-sets that radiate throughout their lives post graduation.

This position supports the Five Keys Los Angeles Academic Program. The scheduled hours vary from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm; the current schedule is from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm. Temporarily for the 2025-2026 school year, this position will work 7 hours per day, 35 hours per week, with 195 working days annually. Based on the organization's needs, the schedule may change to the original: 6.5 hours per day, 32.5 hours per week, with 210 working days annually. 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

• Build a classroom culture of excellence and deliver rigorous instruction by building content expertise in core curriculum that is captured in units of study and daily plans
• Engage in cycles of data-driven instruction to inform planning and personalize instruction to student needs
• Collaborate with special education staff so students identified as needing extra support are meaningfully included
• Provide individualized educational planning to ensure students meet their educational goals
• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with student and staff information
• Ensure staffing and coverage of classroom(s) in the event of illness or time off
• Abide by all Five Keys policies and procedures and adhere to partner guidelines
• Maintain effective working relationships with our partners
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students of all ages, from diverse cultural, economic and ability backgrounds
• Ability to interact with students using a trauma informed approach
• Other duties as assigned

Instruction

• Teaches CCSS-aligned courses in their subject area, such as science, biology, English, social studies, mathematics, fine arts and other relevant electives
• Use a trauma-informed approach to support and encourage students to succeed and adjust teaching strategies as needed
• Maintain classroom management to ensure a safe learning space
• Instruct students using a hybrid learning approach
• Introduce fresh ideas, ability to differentiate lessons, and utilize effective teaching strategies for both online education and in-person instruction to support student success, while adhering to common core standards
• Adapt teaching pedagogy to meet the needs of our diverse student population
• Provide instruction to students in a variety of different settings including but not limited to, one-on-one, small group, and whole class

Assessment

• Maintain systems of compliance to ensure student records are updated on time and in accordance to state and school standards
• Support students with accelerated learning outcomes including maintaining progress reports for students monthly
• Utilize, collect, and analyze rigorous, student-engaged assessments, both formative and summative, to identify and address students areas of growth and mastery of learning objectives

School Culture

• Commit to doing and being your best, and to growing your skills as professionals and as individuals
• Attend all professional development meetings and opportunities that may exceed the regular school day, hours vary depending on site
• Urgently and courageously takes actions in the best interest of students, even if they are new or unfamiliar
• Meet all professional obligations and proactively communicate when changes happen
• Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self-reflection, owning good and bad outcomes
• Effectively respond to and implement constructive feedback
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and contribute to positive staff culture
• Collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that all students have consistent and well-coordinated support

Student and Parent Partnership

• Partner with all students and families through frequent communication, building trusting relationships, and embracing the knowledge parents have as their student's first teacher
• Build authentic relationships with families that form the foundation for frequent ongoing communications to support student success
• Engage with families on academic and behavioral goals and transparently share student progress so that both parents and teachers own each student's successes and challenges

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of trauma informed practices in education
• Effective methodology and techniques to ensure students are successful and graduate
• Basic technology knowledge and willingness to learn new IT systems and software

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Previous teaching experience preferred
• Must have a valid K-12 California Teaching Credential to be eligible for employment (preliminary or clear, will consider intern), such as:
  • PREFERRED: Single Subject K-12 Credential
  • ACCEPTABLE: Multiple Subject Credential
  • NOT ACCEPTABLE: CTE, Adult Education, Emergency or Substitute Credentials/Permits

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Moderate to extensive degree of physical and emotional stamina
• Travel to multiple sites may be required
• Frequent and prolonged standing, walking, and sitting
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Occasional reaching with hands and arms
• Occasionally lifting up to 25 lbs
• Ability to follow oral directions in emergency situations

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)
• Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locations
• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be willing and able to travel state-wide to various locations or meetings as needed
• Moderate to high noise level
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).