3rd Grade Teacher (1 Year Only) - Longfellow Elementary

Job Description

TITLE: 3rd Grade Teacher (1 Year Only) - Longfellow Elementary

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Longfellow Elementary School is seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, and creative teacher to join our third grade team team for the 2026-2027 school year. We are seeking a teacher who has a passion for working with children, brings an equity-oriented approach to their instruction and who holds all students to high expectations. The successful candidate will have experience creating meaningful student and parent relationships, collaborate with other teachers and school-wide educators; demonstrated experience in engaging students across content areas; and commitment to incorporating global perspectives and strengthening students' social/emotional education throughout the classroom and school. We seek a teammate who is collaborative and open to giving and receiving feedback in service of the shared goals of the school and the district.

As a school, we work together collaboratively to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging and that all students are engaged in grade level learning every day. Every morning, every classroom begins their day in a circle, running a morning meeting focused on belonging and building social emotional skills. We are committed to teaching explicit and systematic foundational literacy skills in all K-2 classrooms, and are adopting a high quality Expeditionary Learning curriculum in all classrooms next year. We use Illustrative Mathematics as our math curriculum and student inquiry and engagement is important to our philosophy of teaching and learning.

As a school community, we are committed to implementing anti-racist systems and practices, including restorative practices for our discipline policy. We require and support our staff with continually examining their own identities and biases and engage regularly in necessary conversations about race and equity. These values guide our community as we commit to social justice and consistently working towards becoming an anti-racist school.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under direction of the school principal, the successful candidate:

• Plans and provides for appropriate learning experiences for students
• Provides an atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of individuals to ensure success for every student
• Supervises students in a variety of school related settings
• Monitors and evaluates student outcomes
• Communicates and interacts with students, parents, staff and community
• Develops, selects, and modifies instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of all students
• Maintains appropriate records and follows required procedures and practices
• Monitors appropriate use and care of equipment, materials, and facilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of PPS curriculum, techniques for integrating curriculum, PPS policies, and effective standards based instructional practices
• Understanding of the teaching/learning/assessing process
• Ability to create a welcoming environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of all students
• Ability to provide instruction that involves collaboration with special education team, intervention and RTI team and ML team
• Ability to monitor and evaluate student outcomes and take responsibility for student growth
• Strong equity orientation and an openness to personal reflection on deepening awareness of personal bias and being culturally responsive and humble
• Ability to infuse technology into the curriculum
• Team player. An openness and desire to collaborate with colleagues and administration, including sharing lessons, assessments, student work and data
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, colleagues, central office and school based staff, students, parents and community
• A growth mindset. Sincere belief that all students can rise to high expectations and a passion for differentiating in support of ensuring all students meet goals
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills
• Experience with PBIS, SEL curriculum and restorative practices

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field of education from an accredited college or university

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)
• Maine State teacher certificate with 020 Endorsement, General Elementary (K-6 or K-8) (more info)

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:

• Schedule: School Year, Full Time (1.0 FTE)
• Assignment: 1 Year Only (2026-2027)
• Overtime: Not eligible for overtime
• Contract: Part of the PEA union (see 2025-2028 CBA here)
• Salary: Based on education and experience, per CBA
• Benefits: Eligible for benefits as outlined here

ABOUT LONGFELLOW:

Located in Deering Center on Stevens Avenue, between Deering High School and Lincoln Middle School, Longfellow Elementary School is a PK5 school serving approximately 250 students. We are committed to academic excellence, social-emotional learning, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, while fostering a strong sense of belonging for every member of our community. Our Longfellow community is supportive and collaborative, with a shared goal of ensuring that every student feels included, valued, and empowered with the tools and strategies they need to be successful.

We prioritize explicit, systematic literacy instruction and data-driven practices in grades K2, and implement EL Education across K5 alongside Illustrative Mathematics to promote inquiry, engagement, and deep understanding. Professional collaboration and coaching are central to our work. Each staff member participates in multiple teams, including administration, special education, multilingual/intervention/RTI, and instructional coaching, to support continuous growth and student success.

Our school is grounded in a strong commitment to equity and anti-racist practices. We center restorative approaches, honor multilingual learners as assets, and engage in ongoing reflection and dialogue around identity and bias. As part of Portland Public Schools, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, supportive environment for both students and staff, with meaningful opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, leadership, and belonging.



Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Maine's largest school system has 10 elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools serving nearly 7,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as about 4,700 adult learners.

The district takes full advantage of its location in a vibrant city with a thriving arts life. Schools draw on the resources offered by museums, theaters, local businesses and the city's colleges and universities.

Portland has a highly trained teaching staff. Many teachers hold advanced degrees. All of the district's teachers continue their education by pursuing professional development activities on a regular basis.

The district provides technology to support instruction, including laptops for each student in grades seven through 12 and wireless access at all schools.

Volunteers, parent-teacher organizations and businesses donate generously of their time and money to the district - an estimated 100,000 hours per year.

Graduates of the Portland Public Schools attend the country's top colleges and universities. See www.portlandschools.org for colleges attended by recent graduates.

The Portland Public Schools gives parents an array of program choices. The district as one of the first in the country to offer project-based Expeditionary Learning from kindergarten through 12th grade.

High school students have access to one of the broadest selections of Advanced Placement courses in Maine. Qualified high school students may take up to two college courses with tuition paid by the state. A regional arts and technology high school provides hands-on courses in growth fields such as health care, robotics and "green" construction.

More than 60 languages are spoken by students attending the Portland Public Schools. Multilingual students represent about a quarter of the district's enrollment. The district's diversity prepares all students for their roles as world citizens.

Portland residents can pursue lifelong learning and professional success through the academic, jobs skills and enrichment courses offered by Portland Adult Education.

Most of Portland's middle and high school students participate actively in co-curricular activities such as athletics, drama, music and service clubs. Portland students regularly excel in academic and athletic competitions at the regional, state and even national level.

See a list of recent honors, awards and recognition for the Portland Public Schools at: www.portlandschools.org. Join Portland ME Public Schools on Facebook. A focus on service learning-connecting the schools to the wider community-results in students undertaking many projects that benefit greater Portland.