High School Spanish Teacher

Uncommon Schools; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Pension program New Jersey

Professional development

Job summary

Uncommon Schools seeks a high school Spanish teacher to develop students as global citizens, with a focus on Spanish language mastery and AP readiness. You will work in teams, motivate students, and build a supportive classroom culture where language learning thrives.

You will engage in ongoing coaching, data review, and collaboration with families and the Spanish department to drive equity and achievement in Newark's urban schools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Certification not required to hire but NY certification eligibility must be met.
• Interest in impacting K-12 urban students.
• Commitment to social-emotional and academic development.

Responsibilities

• Build bilingual skills and prep for AP/college coursework.
• Help students navigate print and audio sources.
• Develop reading, writing, speaking and listening in Spanish.
• Cultivate cultural awareness and community in Spanish.
• Lead partnerships with Spanish department to set goals.
• Engage in weekly analysis with principal/coach to respond to trends.
• Differentiate instruction for all learners.
• Build positive relationships with students and families.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to uphold core values.
• Collaborate with grade-level teams to set academic goals.

Skills

Spanish teaching

Urban education

Collaborative

Feedback culture

Education

Bachelor's degree

NY certification eligibility

Job description

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. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon High School Spanish teachers work in grade level and content teams to develop students who are global citizens. Our teachers become experts in their course content, and have a keen sense of how to motivate and inspire high school students. Communicating in Spanish is at the heart of all classes. Spanish teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to create an environment where students feel safe expressing themselves in a new language. At the conclusion of high school, students are prepared for academic autonomy and college preparatory work.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• You'll build students' bilingual skills and enhance their understanding of the Spanish language using a curriculum that prepares them for Advanced Placement (AP) and collegiate level coursework.
• You'll help students gain confidence in navigating print and audio authentic sources.
• You'll teach students how to build and enhance their foreign language skills--reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• You'll cultivate students' cultural awareness by helping them learn a new language.
• You'll share your passion for the Spanish language to build a community of students who are confident in speaking Spanish.
• You will build students' skill and comfort with engaging in conversation in Spanish.
• You'll work with the Spanish department to develop academic and engagement goals for students.

2. Data Analysis

• You'll meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
• You'll learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

3. School Culture

• You'll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• You'll partner with students' families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs.
• You'll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• You'll participate in weekly, school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• You'll partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• 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 solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
• Required Experience:
  • A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).
  • Academic expertise in Spanish or other related fields of study.
  • Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, but you do need to meet NY state certification eligibility requirements. To meet these requirements, you must enroll in a teacher preparation program and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher during your employment with us if you do not have a degree in education. Uncommon Schools teachers are required to become certified in the state of New York within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

#ZR

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $60,000 to $85,000.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $60,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • New Jersey Pension program
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefit

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

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 brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective 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 for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also 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. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].