English Instructor (Learning Leader) in Florence, Mississippi at Piney Woods School

The Piney Woods School | Piney Woods, Mississippi
Full-Time | Residential Independent Boarding School

The Piney Woods School seeks a dynamic, innovative, and mission-driven English Instructor (Learning Leader) to join our academic faculty and residential learning community.

This position is ideal for an educator who is passionate about teaching English, developing student voice and critical thinking, and helping young people thrive academically, socially, and personally. The successful candidate will embrace The Piney Woods School’s historic mission while contributing fresh ideas, instructional excellence, and a deep commitment to student development.

Founded in 1909, The Piney Woods School is the nation’s largest historically African American independent, college preparatory boarding school. Located near Jackson, Mississippi, our School is grounded in the belief that education should develop the head, heart, and hands of every student through academic excellence, leadership development, service, and practical learning experiences.

Faculty members at Piney Woods are more than teachers — they are Learning Leaders, mentors, role models, and community builders who help shape the lives and futures of our students.

The English Instructor (Learning Leader) is responsible for delivering engaging, rigorous, and student-centered instruction in English and related language arts coursework while supporting the School’s mission of whole-child education.

The successful candidate will foster strong literacy, writing, analytical reasoning, communication, and critical thinking skills while creating an inclusive, structured, and academically challenging learning environment. Because The Piney Woods School operates as a residential boarding school community, faculty members also contribute to student mentorship, campus life, and holistic student development beyond the classroom.

• Teach assigned English and/or related coursework in accordance with curriculum objectives and departmental standards.
• Develop engaging lesson plans, instructional materials, and assessments aligned with learning outcomes and student achievement goals.
• Deliver instruction using diverse teaching methodologies, differentiated learning approaches, project-based learning, and instructional technology.
• Promote strong reading, writing, speaking, research, analytical, and communication skills.
• Utilize student assessment data, classroom observations, and performance measures to inform instructional decisions and support student growth.
• Maintain an organized, positive, and academically rigorous classroom environment conducive to learning and student success.
• Maintain accurate attendance, grading, progress monitoring, and instructional records.

• Build meaningful relationships with students that encourage academic achievement, leadership development, accountability, and personal growth.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to student academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs through collaboration with school personnel and families when appropriate.
• Maintain high standards for student conduct, professionalism, academic integrity, and classroom expectations.
• Support positive student behavior and uphold school policies and community standards.

As members of a residential boarding school community, faculty are expected to actively contribute to student life beyond classroom instruction.

Responsibilities may include:

• Student tutoring, mentoring, advising, and academic support
• Assigned student supervision, hall duty, study hall monitoring, or campus coverage
• Participation in residential life, student activities, competitions, and extracurricular programs
• Supervision during meals, school programs, special events, and designated student activities
• Participation in school traditions and institutional events including Parents’ Day, Founder’s Day, Commencement, faculty meetings, professional development, and community programming

• Participate in curriculum development, departmental planning, instructional improvement initiatives, and faculty collaboration.
• Remain current with best practices, emerging trends, and innovations in English education, literacy instruction, educational technology, and adolescent learning.
• Serve on committees and contribute positively to school-wide initiatives and strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by school leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Education, Literature, Language Arts, or closely related field
• Demonstrated passion for education, student development, and mission-centered learning
• Strong oral, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to engage and effectively teach adolescents from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds
• Proficiency in educational technology, productivity software, and classroom instructional tools

• Mississippi teaching certification or eligibility for certification in the assigned teaching field
• Prior teaching experience in secondary education, college preparatory, independent school, boarding school, or related settings
• Experience working with adolescents through teaching, coaching, advising, mentoring, counseling, or youth development
• Familiarity with instructional technology, student information systems, and learning management platforms
• Experience in residential, independent, faith-based, or mission-driven educational environments
• Experience teaching Bible, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, or related coursework is a plus

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong instructional planning, classroom management, and student engagement skills
• Knowledge of adolescent development and effective learning practices
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal effectiveness
• Professional judgment, adaptability, initiative, and accountability
• Commitment to equity, student success, and educational excellence
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively within a team-oriented environment
• High ethical standards and commitment to the mission and values of The Piney Woods School

Joining The Piney Woods School means becoming part of a historic institution dedicated to educational access, leadership formation, and transformational student outcomes.

Our educators have the opportunity to:

• Shape lives within a mission-driven boarding school community
• Teach and mentor highly capable students from diverse backgrounds
• Contribute to a culture of academic excellence, leadership, service, and character development
• Help advance a legacy institution preparing young people for college, career, and purposeful lives

Qualified candidates should submit:

• Letter of Interest / Cover Letter
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Professional References
• Copies of certifications, credentials, or transcripts (if applicable)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Piney Woods School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks candidates who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission, values, and educational goals of the School.

Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Piney Woods, Mississippi