American Paradigm Schools

8101 Castor Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19152

Discovering Excellence Through Cultivating Differences

American Paradigm Schools are dedicated to equity and excellence for all learners, while celebrating the uniqueness of our communities. Our values drive our dedication to providing a world class education.

Position: Financial Literacy Teacher (Expressive Arts Teacher) Grades 5-8

Position type: Full Time

Position location (School): Memphis Street Academy

Department: Academic

Reports to: School CEO/Principal

Employment status: Exempt

Employment duration: 10 months

Position Summary:

Memphis Street Academy Charter School is seeking an enthusiastic and innovative Financial Literacy (Expressive Arts) Teacher to join our middle school team. This unique position blends essential financial education with creative, project-based learning approaches, empowering students in grades 5-8 to build lifelong money management skills while expressing their understanding through the arts. The ideal candidate is passionate about helping students connect real-world financial concepts to their personal lives, community, and future goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver engaging financial literacy lessons aligned with state and school standards, incorporating expressive arts (visual arts, music, drama, media, etc.) to enhance learning.

• Teach core topics such as budgeting, saving, banking, credit, entrepreneurship, investing, and responsible consumer habits.

• Use project-based learning, simulations, role-playing, and other interactive strategies to make financial concepts relatable and applicable.

• Design and implement interdisciplinary projects that integrate financial literacy with other subject areas, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

• Assess and monitor student progress through a variety of formative and summative assessments.

• Maintain a classroom environment that encourages participation, collaboration, and respect.

• Integrate technology, financial tools, and community resources to provide students with real-world applications.

• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians, colleagues, and school leadership regarding student growth and engagement.

• Participate in school-wide events, professional development sessions, and team collaboration meetings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Business, Economics, Arts Education, or related field (Master's degree preferred).

• Valid Pennsylvania teaching certification (or ability to obtain).

• Demonstrated experience teaching or facilitating lessons in financial literacy and/or expressive arts.

• Strong classroom management skills and the ability to engage middle school learners.

• Excellent communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Commitment to fostering a culturally responsive, inclusive learning environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in project-based learning or interdisciplinary teaching.

• Background in arts integration, curriculum design, or entrepreneurship education.

• Knowledge of current financial education resources and instructional technology.

Work Environment:

• Full-time, 10-month position.

• Collaborative and mission-driven school community focused on preparing students for academic success and responsible citizenship.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting
• Walking
• Standing
• Talking
• Pushing
• Driving
• Lifting 20-25 Lbs.
• Moving Up and Down from a seated position
• Restraining students (training required)
• Walking up and down stairs
• Other

About Memphis Street Academy Charter School:
Memphis Street Academy Charter School serves students in grades 5-8 with a commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and community engagement. We believe in preparing our students not just for high school, but for life, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in an ever-changing world.

American Paradigm Schools are Caring School Communities.

Relationships are the foundation of classroom and school life and underpin teaching, learning, and prosocial development. Building relationships and fostering students' sense of community are a critical part of our work at APS and as such, we have partnered with the Collaborative Classroom to implement the Caring School Community Model in all of our schools.

Caring School Community model builds positive classroom and schoolwide communities while developing students' social and emotional learning (SEL) skills and competencies. It is designed to help students become caring, responsible members of their school communities and, ultimately, to grow into humane, principled, and skilled citizens of a democratic society. The lessons in the program help faculty and staff create a warm, safe, and disciplined school environment where all community members can develop the skills and dispositions they need to interact constructively with others.

All employees at American Paradigm Schools are expected to be true champions of the Caring School Community Program.