YouthBuild Philly·Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Building Substitute & Instructional Support Teacher provides flexible instructional coverage and academic support across the school to ensure continuity of learning. This role involves managing classrooms during teacher absences, delivering small-group interventions, and collaborating with staff to support student success.
YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter high school, with a singular focus on supporting youth aged 17-20 who have been pushed out of traditional schools. During our 1-year alternative program, Youthbuild facilitates a warm, loving culture that uses a variety of structures to build community, such as a restorative-justice approach to discipline, weekly community meetings, and school-wide service projects. Students are empowered to attain their high school diploma and vocational certifications, while receiving unconditional support by the staff around them. At YouthBuild, we work intentionally to disrupt the cycle of poverty and support our students to achieve post-secondary success (4-year college, 2-year college, vocational training program, or liveable wage job). Visit https://www.youthbuildphilly.org/ to learn more.
The Building Substitute & Instructional Support Teacher is a flexible, student-centered educator who plays an essential role in ensuring continuity, consistency, and high-quality learning experiences across YouthBuild’s academic program. This full-time position is designed to provide reliable instructional coverage and additional teaching capacity based on the evolving needs of the school. Responsibilities may range from providing day-to-day classroom coverage to assuming primary responsibility for a classroom during an extended teacher leave. When assigned to extended classroom coverage, the Building Substitute & Instructional Support Teacher functions as the primary classroom teacher for the duration of the assignment, maintaining continuity of instruction, classroom routines, student relationships, academic expectations, assessment, grading, and student progress. When not assigned to classroom coverage, this educator provides targeted instructional support across the school through small-group instruction, intervention, tutoring, independent study, push-in support, and other identified academic priorities. As a valued member of the school community, this role collaborates closely with teachers, school leaders, Specialized Services staff, and other student-support teams; participates in professional development and meetings; and contributes to the growth, success, and culture of YouthBuild Philly.
You are/have… Invested in our core values - Respect, Excellence and Perseverance. Equity-focused and believe that all students can achieve. Passionate about supporting young people who have experienced disruption or disengagement from traditional educational settings.. Excited to build meaningful relationships as a mentor to students and support their academic and personal growth throughout their time at YouthBuild and beyond Flexible, dependable, and able to quickly adapt to changing instructional and school needs. Confident facilitating instruction across multiple content areas while maintaining a positive, restorative classroom environment. Able to step into an established classroom, build trust quickly, and maintain strong instructional expectations and routines. Comfortable using student data to identify needs and provide targeted instructional support. Collaborative, organized, and committed to personal and professional development. Willing to support broader school needs while maintaining instruction and student learning as the primary focus of the role. A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university; Master’s Degree strongly preferred. Three to five years’ teaching experience is preferred. A current PA Teaching Certification; Special Education certification, background, or experience is a plus. Content-area expertise aligned to YouthBuild’s instructional needs is strongly preferred.
Serve as a full-time building substitute with a flexible schedule that varies based on the needs of the school and program, providing day-to-day coverage for classes across both the academic and workforce sides of YouthBuild’s program. Provide short-term and long-term instructional coverage, including assuming the responsibilities of a classroom teacher during extended leaves of absence and maintaining continuity of instruction, classroom routines, student relationships, and expectations. When assigned to an extended leave, assume primary responsibility for the assigned courses and students for the duration of the coverage period. Plan and prepare lessons using YouthBuild provided curriculum materials, course objectives, and instructional expectations during extended classroom assignments. Administer and grade assignments and assessments, maintain accurate student records, and ensure continuity of course pacing and learning objectives. Ensure a thoughtful transition into and out of long-term classroom assignments, including maintaining clear instructional and student-progress documentation for the returning teacher. Create a positive, inclusive learning environment built on strong relationships, high expectations, and a commitment to student success. Deliver learner-centered instruction that engages students in meaningful learning experiences and develops transferable academic, professional, and life competencies. Adapt instructional strategies and learning experiences to meet the needs of diverse learners, with an emphasis on student voice, critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application. Develop and facilitate learning experiences that strengthen professional skills, including teamwork, communication, motivation, high-quality work, resilience, and self-development. Collaborate with the Specialized Services team to support student success by providing teacher input, participating in IEP meetings as appropriate, and implementing required accommodations and modifications for students with IEPs and/or English language needs. Track student progress, provide frequent and actionable feedback, and communicate student progress through PowerSchool and other school systems. When not assigned to full-time extended classroom coverage or daily substitute coverage, provide targeted instructional support based on identified student and program needs. This may include independent study, tutoring, small-group instruction, academic intervention, assignment completion, push-in classroom support, and academic recovery. Provide instructional coverage, when appropriate, that allows teachers to participate in IEP meetings, student-support meetings, professional learning, or other essential school responsibilities. Support assessment administration, testing, curriculum preparation, and other academic priorities as identified by the Director of Academics. Collaborate with teachers, workforce staff, specialized services, and inter-departmental teams to support the success of students as they progress through YouthBuild’s rigorous academic and workforce programs. Participate fully as a member of the school community, including attending professional development, staff and team meetings, school-wide activities, and other community-building opportunities. Participate in YouthBuild’s performance management and annual evaluation processes and contribute to a culture of continuous growth, reflection, collaboration, and improvement. Demonstrate flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, and professionalism in a highly collaborative and fluid school environment, adjusting responsibilities and priorities as student and program needs change. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Academics or other designated school leader.
You: Generous time off Medical, dental, and vision insurance Flexible spending accounts 401(k) savings plan with an employer match Employer paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability Educational assistance and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth Supportive and collaborative work environment Strong community support and involvement
New YouthBuild substitute teaching staff can expect a starting salary of $60,000. During the application process, applicants will have the opportunity to discuss our employee total rewards package and additional benefits.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree and a current PA Teaching Certification, with three to five years of teaching experience preferred. A strong commitment to equity, restorative practices, and supporting students in alternative educational settings is required.
Market context
In Pennsylvania, classroom teacher openings often draw candidates with early-childhood or childcare experience, especially when child development knowledge and classroom routines are part of the role. These positions can be competitive because employers look for strong organization, communication, time management, and current First Aid/CPR certification. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm the original posting for any credential or schedule details before applying.