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Start Your Online Application Now HOPE Community Academy is an accredited, public co-educational charter school comprising primary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. The entire school community seeks to provide a safe and trusting learning environment where each student is valued and challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Mission: To inspire students to achieve high academic success while embracing Hmong language and culture. Vision: To be a public school of excellence, with high quality staff, diverse programs, and successful students. Culture Statement reflects who we are: HOPE is a safe space where all feel valued, empowered, and inspired. Learning at HOPE promotes cultural appreciation, character, and lifelong growth. Our scholars leave ready to lead with purpose and contribute to their community. HOPE''s Values: High-Impact; Scholar-Focused; Sense of Belonging; Leadership; and Joyful Excellence. Our work for the next two years is illustrated in our 2026?2028 Strategic Plan focused on four priorities ? Radical Growth, Stabilizing Operational Systems, Being Data-Centered, and Building Community Impact. All employees are expected to operate with high impact to continue improving the experiences of HOPE''s community. POSITION DETAILS Position Title: Elementary Hmong Language and Culture Teacher Salary Range: $41,150.00 - $58,441.46 Reports To: Education Leader Status: Exempt, Full-Time 40+ hours a week Contract Type: 10-month contract ABOUT THIS ROLE At HOPE, the Hmong language is not a subject on the schedule ? it is the soul of our school. Our mission to inspire students to achieve high academic success while embracing Hmong language and culture begins and ends with the educators who are entrusted to carry that language forward with pride, precision, and purpose. Language is identity. Culture is belonging. And for our scholars, having an educator who can speak to both with authenticity and joy is one of the most powerful gifts HOPE can give them. The Hmong Language & Culture Teacher ? Elementary is a foundational role within HOPE''s Bilingual Department. This educator teaches Hmong language and culture courses to scholars in grades K?5, delivering structured, standards-aligned language instruction that builds proficiency, celebrates heritage, and strengthens the connection each scholar has to their own identity. This teacher brings the Hmong language to life in the classroom ? through stories, songs, traditions, history, and the everyday richness of Hmong cultural expression ? ensuring that every scholar at HOPE understands where they come from and is proud to carry that forward. This role is central to HOPE''s Hmong Language and Culture strategic priority ? directly contributing to our goal of bringing rigor to the bilingual program, finalizing the Hmong curriculum and proficiency assessments, and increasing classroom minutes for Hmong instruction by 2028. The ideal candidate is someone who holds the Hmong language not just as a professional qualification, but as a personal source of pride ? a master of the language who is equally skilled as an educator, a cultural ambassador, and a builder of belonging for every scholar in their classroom. PRIMARY DUTIES Hmong Language Instruction. Plan and deliver structured, rigorous, and engaging Hmong language instruction for scholars in grades K?5, grounded in HOPE''s bilingual curriculum and aligned to ACTFL proficiency standards. Develop and implement lesson plans and unit plans that build scholars'' Hmong language skills across the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a developmentally appropriate and culturally affirming way. Increase classroom minutes for Hmong instruction in alignment with HOPE''s strategic goals. Cultural Education & Heritage Integration. Teach and celebrate Hmong history, traditions, arts, values, and cultural practices as an integral part of daily instruction. Integrate Hmong stories, folktales, songs, proverbs, and community narratives into the learning experience to help scholars develop a deep and authentic connection to their cultural identity. Create a classroom environment that reflects and honors the richness of the Hmong community and positions culture as a source of strength and pride. Hmong Language Proficiency Assessment. Administer and utilize HOPE''s Hmong language proficiency assessments, aligned to ACTFL standards, to measure scholar growth and inform instruction. Maintain accurate records of scholar language development and use assessment data to set meaningful goals, differentiate instruction, and report progress to families, the Bilingual Department Manager, and the CLCO. Support the ongoing refinement of HOPE''s Hmong proficiency assessment tools as part of the bilingual program development process. Bilingual Curriculum Development & Alignment. Actively participate in the finalization and continuous improvement of HOPE''s Hmong language and culture curriculum, ensuring alignment with instructional resources, supplemental materials, classroom strategies, and assessments. Collaborate with the Bilingual Department team to develop pacing guides, unit frameworks, and culturally relevant instructional materials that support consistent, high-quality Hmong language instruction across grade levels. Family & Community Connection. Serve as a bridge between HOPE''s school community and the broader Hmong community. Build strong, trusting relationships with the families of scholars, communicating in Hmong where possible and ensuring families feel welcomed, valued, and engaged as partners in their scholar''s language and cultural development. Partner with the Bilingual Department and school leadership to champion cultural enrichment opportunities ? including school-wide cultural events, community celebrations, and family programming that honors the Hmong community. Differentiated Instruction & Inclusive Language Learning. Design and deliver differentiated Hmong language instruction that meets the diverse needs of all scholars ? including heritage speakers, beginning learners, dual language learners, and scholars with IEPs. Use flexible grouping, scaffolds, and culturally sustaining strategies to ensure every scholar can access and grow in the Hmong language regardless of their starting point. Partner with the ML Coordinator, SPED staff, and classroom teachers to support scholars with additional learning needs. Collaboration with the Bilingual Department. Work closely with the Bilingual Department Manager, the Chief Language & Culture Officer, Bilingual Paraprofessionals, and fellow Hmong and Karen language teachers to ensure a cohesive, high-quality bilingual program experience for all scholars. Participate in department planning meetings, curriculum alignment sessions, and professional development opportunities. Share best practices, co-develop resources, and contribute to building a strong, collaborative bilingual team culture at HOPE. Cultural Programming & Enrichment. Contribute to HOPE''s in-school and out-of-school cultural enrichment programs, including Hmong cultural celebrations, Hmong New Year, HMoob Paj Ntaub, Qeej, and other programs aligned to HOPE''s strategic goals. Support scholars in developing performance pieces, collaborative arts projects, and cultural presentations that showcase their growing language skills and cultural pride. Help build a school culture where Hmong language and heritage are celebrated, visible, and woven into the life of the school. Professional Responsibilities & School Community Involvement. Fulfill all professional responsibilities including timely lesson planning, accurate assessment and grade documentation, attendance recordkeeping, and participation in school-wide events and initiatives. Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and joyful school culture where staff, scholars, and families all feel welcomed, valued, and proud to be part of the HOPE community. Each staff member will participate in at least three or more school events throughout the school year. REQUIREMENTS Bachelor''s degree in Education, Linguistics, Hmong Studies, or a related field required. Valid Minnesota teaching license required. Candidates must be licensed in the appropriate heritage language area or actively enrolled in a Heritage Language licensed pathway program prior to or upon hire. Candidates not yet licensed must commit to obtaining licensure within the timeframe established by HOPE. Native or near-native proficiency in the Hmong language (Hmong Daw and/or Mong Leng) is required. The ability to read, write, and communicate with fluency and cultural authenticity in Hmong is essential to this role. Minimum of two (2) years of experience teaching Hmong language, bilingual education, or world language instruction preferred; student teaching experience in a bilingual or heritage language setting will be considered for exceptional candidates. Deep knowledge of and genuine pride in Hmong history, traditions, cultural practices, and the Hmong diaspora experience. Familiarity with ACTFL proficiency standards and heritage language instructional frameworks. Experience designing and delivering culturally responsive, standards-aligned language instruction for diverse learners, including heritage speakers, beginning learners, and scholars with IEPs. Ability to use language proficiency assessment data to differentiate instruction and track scholar growth. Strong classroom management skills and ability to create a structured, safe, and joyful learning environment with high expectations for all scholars. Genuine commitment to building strong family relationships and engaging Hmong-speaking families as partners in scholar success. Ability to collaborate effectively with bilingual department colleagues, classroom teachers, and school leaders. Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build authentic relationships with scholars, families, and colleagues. Deep commitment to educational equity, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and HOPE''s mission and strategic priorities. Experience with or willingness to be trained in HOPE''s Hmong language curriculum and supplemental instructional resources. WORK ENVIRONMENT Duties are primarily performed in a classroom and school building environment. The school building is a multi-level building that has an elevator and is accessible. This role requires consistent daily presence in the classroom and active participation in the broader school and Hmong community. Some evening hours are required for cultural enrichment events, family engagement activities, Hmong cultural celebrations, professional development, and school-wide activities throughout the year. This role is highly visible within HOPE''s community ? the Hmong Language & Culture Teacher is a cultural ambassador for the school and carries that responsibility with pride in every interaction. Hope Community Academy (District) uses the applicant tracking system from Frontline Education to manage employment applications online