Uncommon Schools
Overview
Join to apply for the
High School ELA Teacher
role at
Uncommon Schools . Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Our mission is to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference by supporting students and communities we serve.
Job Description
Uncommon High School English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are passionate about literature and building an engaging, rigorous classroom culture focusing on helping all students prepare for college. Our teachers become experts in their course content and use a variety of instructional strategies to prioritize discussion, ignite a passion for literature, and promote strong voice and agency within students. At the heart of our English classes is an emphasis on reading and student-led discourse. By the end of the high school year, students are more prepared for the academic rigor and independence of college coursework and for a long-term love of literacy.
Responsibilities
Instruction: teach from a robust literature curriculum shared across high schools that prioritizes inclusive texts, emphasizes diversity, and prepares students for AP, SAT, and collegiate level coursework. Literature exploration: guide students to analyze works by authors such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Shakespeare, and Yaa Gyasi to ignite a passion for literature, sharpen critical thinking, and deepen intellectual identity. Develop students’ independent and collaborative reading, writing, and discussion skills. Facilitate student-led discourse, teach students to use evidence to make sophisticated claims, and to synthesize and evaluate arguments and rhetoric. Assess student comprehension and writing regularly and adapt lessons to maximize learning. Collaborate with your department and grade-level teams on content and instructional strategies to support all students. Data analysis: meet weekly with principal and/or instructional coach to analyze trends in student work and assessments and respond accordingly. Differentiation: implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners. School culture: build positive relationships with students, engage with families, and participate in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions. School-wide collaboration: participate in weekly meetings to cultivate community and model core values.
Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development. Enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students. Self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes. Required Experience: interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years preferred). Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or related fields of study. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in New Jersey, but you must meet NJ certification eligibility requirements (final undergraduate/graduate GPA 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if graduated before 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for this role is between $60,000 to $85,000. Starting pay is determined by factors including relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience may start at $60,000. Generous paid time off including sick time, holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). Extensive training and development; comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with pre-tax accounts (FSA, DCFSA, HSA). New Jersey Pension program; paid leave options (parental, medical, disability, etc.). Mental health and counseling support; wellness benefits. A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.
Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We ensure reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
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Join to apply for the
High School ELA Teacher
role at
Uncommon Schools . Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Our mission is to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference by supporting students and communities we serve.
Job Description
Uncommon High School English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are passionate about literature and building an engaging, rigorous classroom culture focusing on helping all students prepare for college. Our teachers become experts in their course content and use a variety of instructional strategies to prioritize discussion, ignite a passion for literature, and promote strong voice and agency within students. At the heart of our English classes is an emphasis on reading and student-led discourse. By the end of the high school year, students are more prepared for the academic rigor and independence of college coursework and for a long-term love of literacy.
Responsibilities
Instruction: teach from a robust literature curriculum shared across high schools that prioritizes inclusive texts, emphasizes diversity, and prepares students for AP, SAT, and collegiate level coursework. Literature exploration: guide students to analyze works by authors such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Shakespeare, and Yaa Gyasi to ignite a passion for literature, sharpen critical thinking, and deepen intellectual identity. Develop students’ independent and collaborative reading, writing, and discussion skills. Facilitate student-led discourse, teach students to use evidence to make sophisticated claims, and to synthesize and evaluate arguments and rhetoric. Assess student comprehension and writing regularly and adapt lessons to maximize learning. Collaborate with your department and grade-level teams on content and instructional strategies to support all students. Data analysis: meet weekly with principal and/or instructional coach to analyze trends in student work and assessments and respond accordingly. Differentiation: implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners. School culture: build positive relationships with students, engage with families, and participate in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions. School-wide collaboration: participate in weekly meetings to cultivate community and model core values.
Qualifications
Demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development. Enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students. Self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes. Required Experience: interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years preferred). Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or related fields of study. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in New Jersey, but you must meet NJ certification eligibility requirements (final undergraduate/graduate GPA 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if graduated before 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for this role is between $60,000 to $85,000. Starting pay is determined by factors including relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience may start at $60,000. Generous paid time off including sick time, holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). Extensive training and development; comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with pre-tax accounts (FSA, DCFSA, HSA). New Jersey Pension program; paid leave options (parental, medical, disability, etc.). Mental health and counseling support; wellness benefits. A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.
Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. We ensure reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
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