Floater Teacher / In-House Substitute 2026-2027

Rockwood Preparatory Academy is hiring a Floater Teacher for the 2026-27 school year. We are a K-5 charter school in the Rockwood neighborhood of Portland, serving students in the Reynolds School District. Our mission is simple: every student who walks through our doors leaves with rock-solid reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling skills.

We run a Direct Instruction model, which means our curriculum is structured, proven, and always focused on student achievement. We believe that where a child comes from has nothing to do with what they're capable of - and we build our school around that belief every single day. That's not just something we say. It shows up in our data, in our classrooms, and in the students who leave RPA reading well above grade level.

If you're the kind of person who can walk into any room and make it work, who stays steady when the day changes on you, and who wants to be the reason a classroom keeps running smoothly when a teacher is out - you're going to love this role.

The Floater Teacher is one of the most important people in the building. When a teacher is absent or out on leave, you step in and keep instruction on track. When an instructional aide or office staff member is out, you cover that too. No two days look exactly alike, and that's the point. You'll get to know every grade level, every team, and every corner of the school in a way almost nobody else does. If that kind of variety sounds good to you, keep reading.

What the job looks like:

You'll provide coverage wherever it's needed on a given day, which could mean leading a kindergarten reading group in the morning and supporting a 4th grade math lesson in the afternoon. You'll implement our Direct Instruction curriculum across grade levels and subjects, step into instructional aide and front office roles when those staff are out, and keep the day moving so students never lose instructional time. Because this role touches every part of the school, you'll need to pick up our DI scripts and systems quickly and follow them with fidelity. We expect professionalism, follow-through, flexibility, and a genuine investment in the Rockwood community. In return, you'll have a supportive team around you, strong instructional systems that actually work, and leadership that wants to see you succeed.

What we're looking for:

Oregon Teaching License required. Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Strong organizational skills, comfort with technology, and a background check. The ability to adapt quickly, stay calm when plans shift, and step confidently into an unfamiliar classroom. Most importantly - a belief that all children are capable of high levels of achievement when given the right instruction and support. If you've been looking for a school that shares that belief and actually lives it out, this is it.

The details:

193 work days beginning August 17, 2026.

Daily schedule is 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM with required PD until 4:30 on Wednesdays.

Salary ranges from $42,211 to $79,678+ depending on license type and experience.

We cover employer-paid 6% PERS, medical, dental, vision, and EAP. Bonus opportunities available as budget allows.

Come work with us in Rockwood - we'd love to have you on our team!