Are you a passionate educator looking to make a real difference? Do you enjoy working in small classes where you can focus on building meaningful relationships with students? The Siena School, Oakton, VA, is seeking an Elementary and Middle School Language Arts Teacher for the 2025-26 school year. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a collaborative, innovative environment where students thrive through personalized learning and creative teaching approaches.

Job Summary

The Siena School is one of the nation’s leading independent schools serving bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia (www.thesienaschool.org). The ideal candidate will have a passion for teaching and a strong understanding of how to support students in developing writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills through individualized, multisensory instruction. Siena’s inquiry-based language arts and history courses challenge students with rigorous curricula while providing tools and strategies to help them understand and apply content knowledge and concepts. 

At Siena, you’ll work with small classes (10:1 student-teacher ratio) and focus on helping students build confidence and a deeper understanding of history and literature. Our curriculum emphasizes real-world connections and hands-on learning, giving students the tools to succeed beyond the classroom. With a passion for their subject, the successful applicant will enjoy working with other educators in a collaborative environment and integrating technology in a 1:1 Chromebook environment. This is a full-time, exempt position. 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@thesienaschool.org. No phone inquiries, please.

Responsibilities include:

• Sharing teaching responsibilities with other teachers in the classroom
• Advising students and working with students, parents, and other teachers to fully develop a picture of students’ strengths and learning needs  
• Creating lesson plans and adapting curriculum to teach Language Arts, math, social studies, and science
• Regular and consistent communication with students, parents, and colleagues

Qualification Requirements:

• Master's/advanced degree (preferred) and 2-5 years of classroom experience (preferred), or Bachelor's degree with a strong academic track record and demonstrated career interest in education
• Strong language skills and a desire to make a difference for students whose intellect is ahead of their literacy skills
• Promoting joyful student engagement and a commitment to the education of students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences are essential.
• Comfort level with elementary-age children, student-advocacy practices, and inquiry-based instruction
• Training or classroom experience with elementary grades, differentiation, and/or students with learning differences/dyslexia
• Training in multisensory, structured language approaches is desirable (but not required) since Siena has targeted and ongoing professional development in reading instruction/learning differences
• Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Citizenship, residency, or work Visa in the United States is required

Physical Requirements: Moderate physical work is required for this position, including frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and reaching. Must have the ability to lift, carry, push or pull equipment/boxes that weigh up to 10 pounds. Must be able to speak clearly and understand the speech of others.    

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms upon hire.

About The Siena School

The Siena School has become a national leader in educating bright, college-bound students with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. With three campuses in the Washington, DC, area, Siena serves grades 3-12 and has a strong national reputation and growing enrollment. Siena's Forest Glen (grades 5-12) and Satellite (grades 3-4) campuses are in Silver Spring, MD, and Siena's Northern Virginia (grades 3-12) campus is in Oakton, VA. The school enrolls approximately 36% students of color. Siena focuses on the professional development of its staff, who are regularly published and have presented at national and international conferences, including the NAIS Annual Conference. Siena is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Siena School is committed to equitable hiring practices, and enthusiastically encourages professionals of all backgrounds to apply. Submit resume and cover letter to jobs@thesienaschool.org

Connections working at The Siena School