Job Description
Company Description
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 schools 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 invest 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: Uncommon Elementary School TeacherAs an Uncommon Elementary School Teacher, you will ignite a passion for learning in every student from day one. Our classrooms are vibrant, culturally-responsive, and filled with joy. Here, you will foster a community that values respect and hard work while celebrating the unique qualities of each student, laying the academic foundations that will carry them to and through college.
Key Responsibilities1. Instruction
- Create an engaging and joyful classroom environment that encourages mastery and empowers students to engage in academic discourse.
- Teach foundational mathematics principles.
- Develop literacy skills through reading and writing, focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Deliver an ELA curriculum that prioritizes meaningful and relevant texts.
- Introduce students to science concepts, including geology, astronomy, ecology, and climate change.
- Explore America’s diverse histories through a Social Studies curriculum that emphasizes cultural and civic awareness.
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 all 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 resources that support their children’s learning needs.
- Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
- Support morning arrival, lunch duty, student assemblies, class transitions, and after-school dismissal.
- Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to foster community and encourage student achievement.
- Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and instructional strategies.
- A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development.
- An enthusiasm for collaborating with families for the benefit of students.
- A self-directed learner who actively seeks and implements feedback to improve outcomes.
- Required Experience:
- A passion for impacting K-12 students in urban schools (1-2 years experience preferred).
- Academic expertise in Elementary Education, Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or related fields.
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required prior to employment. Certification is not mandatory at hiring, but you must meet NY state certification eligibility requirements and enroll in a teacher preparation program if you do not have a degree in education.
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, aiming to attract and retain top talent.
CompensationThe salary for this role ranges from $50,000 to $64,700. Starting pay is determined by various factors, including relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely start at $50,000.
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:
- 403(b) retirement savings program with employer match.
- 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 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 for the interview process and to perform core job functions.