Middle School ELA Teacher

Rochester Prep Charter School; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 64,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) retirement savings program

Job summary

Rochester Prep Charter School is seeking a passionate Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teacher in Newark, New Jersey. The teacher will empower students through a culturally responsive curriculum, enhancing their writing and discourse skills.

This role involves collaborating with school staff and parents, data analysis, and creating an inclusive classroom. The ideal candidate should have a bachelor's degree and ideally experience impacting K-12 students in urban settings.

Qualifications

• Commitment to supporting students' social and academic development.
• Enthusiasm for collaboration in students' best interest.
• Self-directed learner who solicits feedback.

Responsibilities

• Teach an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum.
• Analyze student work samples weekly with principal.
• Build positive relationships with students.

Skills

Commitment to student development

Collaborative skills

Self-directed learning

Culturally responsive teaching

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college

Job description

Job Description

Uncommon Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are passionate about literature and building an engaging classroom culture. Our teachers develop subject mastery and have a keen sense of the socio‑emotional changes middle schoolers experience. At the heart of all ELA classes is an emphasis on writing and discourse designed to give students the tools to be confident in the power of their own voice. Teachers are trained in a variety of research‑based instructional strategies to prioritize discussion, ignite a passion for literature, build reading comprehension, and promote agency. By the conclusion of eighth grade, students are prepared for the academic autonomy and college‑preparatory focus of our high schools.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• You'll empower students to be their fullest selves by teaching an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all students.
• You'll guide students to analyze literary and non‑narrative texts, assess an author's purpose, write in a variety of genres, and grapple with meaningful questions in student‑led discourse.
• You'll create an inclusive and safe environment, allying with students to speak and write in their authentic voice.
• You'll guide students to choose books of interest independently, as they develop their own passions and interests as readers.

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 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 Humanities, English, Social Sciences, 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.

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.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $50,000 to $64,700.

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 $50,000.

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
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits.

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].