Bridges Academy is dedicated to understanding and educating gifted and highly gifted students with learning differences (twice-exceptional or 2e students) and fostering a successful academic and social experience for our students and the broader community. We do this through the work of two divisions: Bridges Academy (LA) and The Center for Twice-Exceptional Research and Professional Development (The 2e Center).

Bridges Academy (LA), a college preparatory school for Grades 3-12, empowers its students to thrive academically and socially through small classes and differentiated instruction, creating an environment in which gifts are recognized and developed and learning differences and disabilities are accepted. Many students come to Bridges defined by their challenges but graduate defined by their strengths and talents.

For a January 2026 start, Bridges Academy LA is looking for an enthusiastic and committed 3rd/4th grade long-term substitute. Bridges seeks a candidate from independent, public, or charter schools who has experience teaching primary to intermediate elementary-age children in multi-subject classrooms. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Implementing project-based learning experiences guided by students’ strengths, talents, and interests
• Planning for students’ language, literacy, and numeracy development
• Working with two assistant teachers
• Advising a group of 5-6 students
• Supervising students during recess and lunch time
• Chaperoning field trips and other excursions
• Participating in division, department, grade level, and all school meetings

A successful candidate will:

• Develop warm, trusting relationships with students and adults
• Provide a positive environment in which students are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process
• Demonstrate integrity, initiative, self-awareness, and a growth mindset for both students and themselves
• Have a passion for education, especially for gifted, neurodiverse students that is also grounded in inclusion, equity, and belonging
• Demonstrate flexibility, sound judgment, strong social skills, and the ability to read, assess, imagine, evaluate, calculate, and make wise decisions
• Bring significant experience and comfort with implementing differentiated instructional programs
• Demonstrate strong communication skills in person, in writing, by phone, and via Zoom
• Show enthusiasm, creativity, and compassion
• Work comfortably in a team environment
• Communicate with families regarding student progress, potential, and behavior through phone calls, emails, and parent/teacher conferences
• Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators to develop an in-depth knowledge of students' learning profiles

Lastly, ideal candidates will have the following knowledge base:

• Current knowledge of elementary curricula and an understanding of how diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice interact with and inform those curricula
• Understanding of gifted, neurodiverse elementary students and their development
• Understanding of social emotional development, executive function support, and a willingness to learn more
• Knowledge of instructional methodologies to support discipline-specific and interdisciplinary learning for gifted, neurodiverse students
• Knowledge of and ability to implement meaningful and authentic diagnostic and progress assessment measures
• Knowledge and effective use of instructional methods and learning materials, especially in differentiation
• Knowledge of problem and project-based learning
• Knowledge of Google Classroom and the willingness to learn new technology

Bridges Academy wishes to prepare students for life by offering a rich experiential learning environment in which students are safe to explore, discover, and make meaning. To that end, students are offered choices that challenge them while bolstering their strengths and talents.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Bridges Academy is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit. We aim to have the best available person in every job. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion (including religious beliefs, observance, or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), color, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, transitioned, transitioning, or perceived to be transitioning), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy and breastfeeding, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics. Additionally, Bridges Academy does not permit discrimination based on dressing consistently with one’s gender identity or gender expression, or preferred gender, name, or pronoun usage.

Required education and experience:

• Multi-subject teaching credential and bachelor’s degree in education or related field; master’s degree preferred
• Previous teaching experience with a progressive, constructivist orientation; work with gifted students preferred