Friendship Academy Job Description: Licensed Teacher (K–5)

Position Title: TN Licensed Teacher

Reports To: School Director

Location: Columbia, TN

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Friendship Academy

Friendship Academy is a small, Category One K–5 school serving families facing housing instability and economic hardship. With a maximum of 5 students per class and two licensed teachers, we provide a trauma-informed, arts-integrated education rooted in creativity, compassion, and academic excellence. Our mission is to nurture and build resilient families, and empower communities through education.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate, licensed elementary teacher to co-lead instruction in a multi-age classroom. The ideal candidate is committed to relationship-driven teaching, creative learning approaches, and collaborative teamwork. This teacher will share responsibility for lesson planning, instruction, assessment, and classroom management alongside another licensed teacher with a complementary specialty (STEM or Arts).

Key Responsibilities

Plan and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons aligned with Tennessee state standards

Collaborate with a co-teacher to create a safe, inclusive, and responsive classroom environment

Differentiate instruction for diverse learners, including those who have experienced trauma or instability

Assess student learning through observations, formative and summative assessments, and standardized testing (as required)

Communicate regularly with families, sharing progress and celebrating student growth

Participate in weekly staff meetings, training, and school-wide events

Model and teach social-emotional learning, empathy, and cooperation

Uphold all policies and procedures of Friendship Academy, including safety, privacy, and reporting requirements