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 4-12, 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 the 2025-2026 school year, Bridges Academy LA is looking for an enthusiastic high school biology teacher. Bridges seeks a candidate from independent, public, or charter schools who has experience teaching high school students.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Teaching 3 sections of biology using a gifted, strength-based lens
• Teaching 1-2 electives or 1-2 student-driven independent study courses, depending on need
• Advising a group of high school students (maximum 8)
• Supervise students during non-class time on a rotating basis
• Chaperone field trips, grade level trips, and other excursions/activities
• Participate in grade level, division, department, and all-school meetings

Required education and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; graduate degree and/or teaching credential preferred
• 3-5 years classroom teaching experience; work with gifted students preferred

A successful candidate will:

• Make biology class meaningful and relevant for gifted students
• Develop warm, trusting relationships with students and adults
• 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, flexibility, and compassion

Lastly, ideal candidates will have the following knowledge base:

• Current knowledge of subject area content and an understanding of how diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice interact with subject area content
• Understanding of gifted, neurodiverse high school 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 how to develop an appropriate curriculum for a wide array of learners
• Knowledge of Google Classroom and the willingness to learn new technology

Bridges Academy wishes to prepare students for life beyond secondary school 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.