Elementary Teacher

Rocketship; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

403b retirement plan

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Rocketship Public Schools seeks elementary teachers who are subject experts in Humanities or STEM. The school provides weekly coaching, real-time feedback in the classroom, and professional growth opportunities tied to student outcomes. Parents are engaged through visits and community meetings, and collaboration with a robust support network is emphasized.

Ideal candidates hold a B.A./B.S. degree and have a commitment to equity and closing opportunity gaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience teaching in diverse school communities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build a classroom culture of excellence, belonging, and high expectations in Humanities or STEM.
• Deliver rigorous instruction using Rocketship’s curriculum and adapt to meet student needs.
• Submit lesson plans for feedback and collaborate with your coach to refine instruction.
• Analyze student data regularly to guide planning and instruction.
• Partner with special education staff to ensure inclusive supports for students with additional needs.
• Support SEL lessons and collaborate with Rocketship’s Wellness team.
• Engage families through consistent communication and annual home visits to promote student success.

Education

B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution

Job description

Position Description

Our elementary teachers are subject experts who specialize in either Humanities or STEM. Every Rocketship school is supported by leaders who provide weekly coaching and real‑time feedback in the classroom to help teachers continually grow their practice. Just as our teachers invest their time and energy in the progress of their students, we invest in their professional growth through collaboration, development opportunities, and eligibility for performance‑based pay tied to student growth and instructional excellence.

Rocketship’s collaborative learning environment extends well beyond the classroom. We are deeply committed to parent engagement as a driver of student success. Annual teacher home visits, monthly parent community meetings, and a vibrant parent volunteer network create authentic relationships, a rich school culture, and a devoted community that propels student achievement.

This position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Desired Qualities

• Coachable and growth-oriented, eager to learn from feedback and committed to ongoing professional development.
• Resilient and flexible in meeting the needs of diverse learners, supported by instructional coaches and colleagues.
• Passionate about equity, motivated to close opportunity gaps and help every child reach their full potential.
• Skilled at building authentic partnerships with families and colleagues to support student success.
• A life‑long learner who thrives in a dynamic and collaborative school environment.

Essential Functions

Instruction & Classroom Culture

• Build a classroom culture of excellence, belonging, and high expectations in either Humanities or STEM.
• Deliver rigorous instruction using Rocketship’s curriculum, while adapting to meet student needs.
• Submit lesson plans for feedback and collaborate with your coach to continually refine instruction.
• Analyze student data regularly and use it to guide planning and instruction.
• Partner with special education staff to ensure students with additional needs are fully included and supported.
• Support the whole child through intentional Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons and partnership with Rocketship’s Wellness team.

Family & Community Engagement

• Partner with students and families through consistent communication, building trust and shared ownership of student success.
• Conduct annual home visits with families and maintain ongoing touch points throughout the year.
• Engage families in setting academic and behavioral goals, and transparently share student progress.
• Participate in school events and community gatherings to strengthen connections.

At Rocketship, teachers are part of a professional community built on collaboration, growth, and a shared commitment to students. Our teachers:

• Engage fully in weekly coaching, including real‑time classroom coaching in the moment, and ongoing professional development to continually strengthen their practice.
• Act with urgency and courage in the best interests of students, even when tackling new or unfamiliar challenges.
• Engage in self‑reflection, taking ownership of outcomes and learning from both positive and challenging experiences.
• Communicate openly and effectively with colleagues and families.
• Contribute to a positive, team‑oriented staff culture where collaboration ensures every student has consistent support.
• Are recognized and rewarded for excellence, including eligibility for performance‑based pay tied to student growth and impact.

Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
• Preferred: Prior experience teaching in diverse school communities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our Sexual Harassment Policy. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.