Elementary Teacher - ELA & STEM | $8,000 Stipend

Rocketship Public Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus up to $2,500

Instructional stipend $8,000

Performance-based pay eligibility

Job summary

Rocketship Public Schools is seeking an enthusiastic elementary teacher to deliver rigorous ELA and Math instruction in a combined classroom setting in Washington, DC. You will plan, deliver, and assess instruction across both content areas, using data to close learning gaps and differentiate for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Our environment emphasizes coaching, professional growth, and collaboration with families, with eligibility for performance-based pay tied to

Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrate knowledge of elementary instructional practices in both ELA and STEM.
• Strong classroom management and routines.
• Ability to differentiate instruction using data.
• Excellent organizational and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver rigorous, standards-aligned instruction in both ELA and STEM.
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs.
• Use data to identify gaps and drive instructional decisions.
• Establish a positive classroom culture with high expectations.
• Collaborate with instructional coaches for ongoing improvement.
• Partner with families to support student growth.

Skills

Elementary instruction

Classroom management

Differentiated instruction

Data-driven decisions

Collaboration

Communication with families

Education

BA/BS degree from accredited institution

Job description

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential.We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non‑profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high‑quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Description

Our elementary teachers are passionate educators committed to delivering rigorous, engaging, and student‑centered instruction. This position is a combined instructional role in which the teacher will be responsible for teaching both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.

The selected candidate will plan, deliver, and assess instruction across both content areas, ensuring students develop foundational literacy, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills. The teacher will be expected to differentiate instruction, use student achievement data to drive instructional decisions, and establish a positive classroom culture that promotes academic excellence.

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.

This position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Our Ideal Teacher

• Instructionally Versatile: Confident in delivering rigorous, engaging instruction across both ELA and STEM, with the ability to make meaningful connections between content areas.
• Strong Classroom Leader: Establishes clear routines, consistent expectations, and positive relationships while implementing effective Tier 1 classroom management practices and proactive behavioral supports.
• Data-Driven and Results-Oriented: Uses student achievement data to identify learning gaps, differentiate instruction, and accelerate academic growth across multiple content areas.
• Coachable and Growth-Oriented: Actively seeks feedback, reflects on instructional practices, and applies coaching to continuously improve student outcomes.
• Adaptable and Solutions-Focused: Demonstrates flexibility, strong organizational skills, and sound judgment when balancing instructional priorities and responding to diverse student needs.
• Collaborative and Equity-Driven: Builds authentic partnerships with families, colleagues, and school leaders while maintaining high expectations and a commitment to educational equity.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Instruction & Classroom Culture

• Plan and deliver rigorous, standards‑aligned instruction in both English Language Arts (ELA) and STEM using Rocketship's adopted curricula.
• Assume responsibility for instructional planning, delivery, assessment, and student academic growth across both content areas.
• Build and maintain a classroom culture of excellence, belonging, and high expectations through consistent routines, positive relationships, and effective classroom management practices.
• Implement proactive Tier 1 classroom management strategies and targeted Tier 2 supports to address students' academic and behavioral needs.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
• Submit lesson plans for feedback and collaborate with instructional coaches to continuously strengthen instructional practices across both content areas.
• Regularly analyze student achievement data in ELA and STEM to identify learning gaps, adjust instruction, and accelerate academic growth.
• Partner with special education staff to ensure students with additional needs are fully included and appropriately supported.
• Support the whole child through intentional Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction and collaboration with Rocketship's Wellness team.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build authentic, trusting relationships with students and families through consistent, proactive communication and shared accountability for student success.
• Conduct annual home visits and maintain ongoing communication with families throughout the school year.
• Partner with families to establish academic and behavioral goals, communicate student progress, and collaboratively address challenges.
• Participate in school events, family engagement activities, and community gatherings to strengthen school‑family partnerships.

Rocketship Professional Culture

At Rocketship, teachers are part of a professional community grounded in collaboration, continuous growth, accountability, and a shared commitment to student success. Our teachers:

• Embrace Coaching and Development: Actively engage in weekly coaching, real‑time classroom feedback, and ongoing professional development to strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes.
• Demonstrate Ownership and Accountability: Take responsibility for student learning, professional commitments, and continuous improvement, using both successes and challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Lead with Urgency and Adaptability: Respond proactively to student needs, navigate changing priorities, and approach challenges with flexibility, sound judgment, and a solutions‑oriented mindset.
• Communicate with Transparency and Respect: Maintain open, professional, and constructive communication with colleagues, school leaders, students, and families.
• Contribute to a Collaborative School Culture: Work across teams and content areas to share effective practices, support colleagues, and ensure students receive consistent, high‑quality instruction.
• Pursue Excellence and Impact: Maintain high expectations for themselves and their students while striving for measurable academic growth and instructional excellence. Teachers are recognized for their contributions, including eligibility for performance‑based pay tied to student growth and impact.

Required Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrate knowledge of elementary instructional practices in both English Language Arts (ELA) and STEM.
• Possess strong classroom management skills, including the ability to establish consistent routines, maintain high expectations, and implement positive behavioral supports.
• Demonstrate the ability to differentiate instruction and use student achievement data to inform instructional decisions.
• Possess strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills to effectively manage instruction across multiple content areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior elementary teaching experience in diverse school communities.
• Experience teaching both ELA and STEM or working in a self‑contained elementary classroom.
• Demonstrated success improving student academic outcomes in literacy and mathematics.
• Experience implementing Tier 1 classroom management strategies and targeted behavioral interventions.

$68,000 - $88,000 a year

$8,000 Instructional Stipend

This position is eligible for an $8,000 stipend in recognition of the additional instructional responsibilities associated with teaching both English Language Arts (ELA) and STEM.

Signing Bonus Eligible

This position is also eligible for a signing bonus of up to $2,500!

Both incentives are offered in addition to the position's base salary of $68,000–$88,000, subject to applicable eligibility requirements.

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.