TK Teacher

Rocketship Public Schools; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 83,130; Full time

Job summary

Rocketship Public Schools in California seeks TK teachers who specialize in Humanities or STEM. You will receive weekly coaching and real-time feedback to grow professionally, with performance-based pay linked to student growth and instructional excellence.

We prioritize parent engagement with home visits, monthly meetings, and a strong volunteer network to build trust, relationships, and a shared commitment to student achievement.

This position reports to the Principal or Assistant Principal.

Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
• Satisfaction of one of the subject matter requirements (e.g., 24 semester units in Child Development or Early Childhood Education; or a related bachelor’s degree; or 3+ years of relevant teaching experience for July 1, 2023).
• Possession of a valid Child Development Teacher Permit or higher.
• All Rocketship teachers must hold a valid teaching credential or enroll in an accredited credentialing program during their first year.

Responsibilities

• Build a classroom culture of excellence and deliver rigorous instruction in Humanities or STEM.
• Engage in data-driven instruction to tailor planning to student needs.
• Collaborate with special education staff to include students needing extra support.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Partner with families through frequent communication and home visits to support student success.

Education

Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.)

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 TK 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.

Essential Functions

• Build a classroom culture of excellence and deliver rigorous instruction by building content expertise in Humanities or STEM that is captured in units of study and daily plans.
• Engage in cycles of data‑driven instruction to inform planning and personalize instruction to student needs.
• Collaborate with special education staff so students identified as needing extra support are meaningfully included.
• Other duties as assigned.

Student and Parent Partnership

• Partner with all students and families through frequent communication, building trusting relationships, and embracing the knowledge parents have as their child’s first teacher.
• Build authentic relationships with families beginning with home visits that form the foundation for frequent ongoing communications to support student success.
• Engage with families on academic and behavioral goals and transparently share student progress so that both parents and teachers own each child’s successes and challenges.

Rocketship Professional Culture

• Commit to doing and being their best, and to growing their skills as professionals and as individuals.
• Attend all professional development meetings and opportunities.
• Urgently and courageously take actions in the best interest of students, even if they are new or unfamiliar.
• Meet all professional obligations and proactively communicate when changes come up.
• Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self‑reflection owning good and bad outcomes.
• Effectively respond to and implement constructive feedback.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and contribute to positive staff culture.
• Collaborate with all staff members to ensure that all students have consistent and well‑coordinated support.

Required Qualifications

• Hold a B.A./B.S. degree from an accredited institution.
• Satisfaction of one of the following subject matter requirements:
  • 24 semester units of coursework in Child Development or Early Childhood Education.
  • A bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.
  • Beginning July 1, 2023: three or more years of full‑time teaching experience in a transitional kindergarten, preschool‑age early childhood, or child development program, or a combination of these experiences.
• Possession of a valid Child Development Teacher Permit or higher.
• All Rocketship teachers must hold a valid teaching credential or enroll in an accredited credentialing program during their first year. Rocketship partners with teachers needing to transfer an out‑of‑state credential or enroll in a program to meet this requirement.
• Preferred: Prior experience in urban education.

$71,000 - $83,130 a year

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.