High School ELA Teacher Job at Uncommon Schools in Rochester

Join Our Mission at Uncommon Schools!

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 believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. If you're ready to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference, we want you on our team!

About the Role

As an Uncommon High School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, you will ignite a passion for literature and foster an engaging, rigorous classroom culture that prepares students for college. You will become an expert in your course content, motivating and inspiring high school students to embrace their academic journey.

Our English classes emphasize reading and student-led discourse, using a variety of instructional strategies to promote strong voice and agency within students. By the end of each school year, your students will be well-prepared for the academic rigor of college coursework and develop a lifelong love of literacy.

Key Responsibilities1. Instruction

• Teach from a robust literature curriculum that prioritizes inclusive texts and prepares students for Advanced Placement (AP), SAT, and collegiate-level coursework.
• Guide students in analyzing works by renowned authors like James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and William Shakespeare, igniting their passion for literature.
• Develop students’ independent and collaborative reading, writing, and discussion skills.
• Facilitate student-led discourse, teaching them to use evidence to make sophisticated claims and evaluate arguments.
• Regularly analyze student comprehension and writing to adapt lessons for maximum learning impact.
• Collaborate with your department and grade-level team to support all students' success.

2. Data Analysis

• Meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze trends in student work and assessments.
• 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 child's learning needs.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to cultivate community and encourage student achievement.
• Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development.
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students.
• A self-directed learner who actively seeks and implements feedback to improve 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.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required prior to employment. Certification is not required to be hired, but you must meet NY 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 finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity and fairness, aiming to attract and retain top talent.

Compensation

The salary for this role ranges from $50,000 to $64,700, determined by factors such as relevant 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.

Our Commitment to Diversity

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of 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 type. 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.