Job Description

Join Our Mission at Uncommon Schools!

At Uncommon Schools , we are more than just a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools; we are a community dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for students in economically disadvantaged areas. With schools in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are on a mission to close the college completion gap and prepare every student for a bright future. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks , a testament to our commitment to their success. We believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing 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!

About the Role

As an English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher at Uncommon High School, you will ignite a passion for literature and foster an engaging, rigorous classroom culture that prepares students for college. You will become an expert in your course content and inspire high school students through a focus on reading and student-led discourse. Your efforts will ensure that by the end of each academic year, students are not only ready for the challenges of college coursework but also develop a lifelong love for literacy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• Teach from a robust literature curriculum that prioritizes inclusive texts and prepares students for Advanced Placement (AP), SAT, and collegiate-level coursework.
• Guide students in analyzing works by renowned authors such as James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and William Shakespeare, fostering a critical eye and deepening their intellectual identity.
• Develop students’ independent and collaborative reading, writing, and discussion skills.
• Facilitate student-led discourse, teaching them to use evidence to make sophisticated claims and evaluate arguments.
• Regularly analyze student comprehension and writing to adapt lessons for maximum learning impact.
• Collaborate with your department and grade-level team to support all students’ success.

2. Data Analysis

• Meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze trends in student work and assessments.
• Implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

3. School Culture

• Build positive relationships with students, ensuring they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Partner with families to provide resources that support their child's learning needs.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to cultivate community and encourage student achievement.
• Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and 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 actively seeks and implements feedback to improve outcomes.
• Required Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities preferred.
  • Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or related fields.
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite, but you must meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements.

Why Join Us?

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

Compensation

The salary for this role ranges from $56,000 to $80,000 , determined by factors such as relevant teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely start at $56,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, along with pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
• Financial planning support, including the New Jersey Pension program.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support, plus wellness benefits.

*A detailed list of all benefits is available upon request.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects 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 Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type. We ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process.

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