Job Description

Join Our Mission at Uncommon Schools!

At Uncommon Schools , we are more than just a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools; we are a community dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for students in economically disadvantaged areas. With campuses in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are on a mission to close the college completion gap and prepare every student for a bright future. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, a testament to our commitment to their success. We believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Your Role: Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher

Are you passionate about literature and eager to create an engaging classroom culture? As an ELA Teacher at Uncommon Schools, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our middle school students. You will help them navigate the socio-emotional changes they experience while emphasizing writing and discourse to empower them to find their voice. With a focus on research-based instructional strategies, you will ignite a passion for literature, enhance reading comprehension, and promote student agency. By the end of eighth grade, your students will be ready for the academic challenges of high school and beyond!

Key Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• Empower students through an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all.
• Guide students in analyzing literary and non-narrative texts, assessing authors' purposes, and engaging in meaningful discourse.
• Create a safe and inclusive environment where students can express their authentic voices.
• Encourage independent reading by helping students choose books that spark their interests.

2. Data Analysis

• Collaborate weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze student work and assessment trends.
• Implement strategies to differentiate instruction for diverse learners in your classroom.

3. School Culture

• Build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Partner with families to provide the necessary resources for their child's learning needs.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to foster community and model our core values.
• Collaborate with your grade-level team to set academic goals and refine instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development.
• A collaborative spirit, eager to work with internal and external partners for the benefit of students.
• A self-directed learner who actively seeks and implements feedback to enhance outcomes.
• Required Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities preferred.
  • Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or related fields.
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite, but you must meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements.

Why Join Us?

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the health, wellness, and financial stability of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity and fairness, ensuring we attract and retain top talent.

Compensation

The salary for this role ranges from $56,000 to $80,000 . Starting pay is determined by various factors, including relevant teaching experience, educational certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely start at $56,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, plus pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
• Financial Planning through the New Jersey Pension program.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support, along with wellness benefits.

*A detailed list of all benefits is available upon request.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve, with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any kind. We ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and in performing core job functions.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs