First Grade Teacher

About the School

Persistence Prep is a new K-8 charter school in Buffalo founded on the belief that all students, regardless of race, disability, home language, SES status, or zip code, can learn and achieve at high levels when held to the highest expectations. Our mission is to ensure that all students are firmly on the path to succeed within a four-year college and create positive change within their communities.

About the Role

The Classroom Teacher position is a full-time teaching role for First grade. Each teacher is responsible for a combination of lead teaching and co-teaching various content blocks each day. Teachers collaborate with their grade-level teams, particularly for lesson planning and norming instructional practices. All Persistence Prep teachers are accountable for intellectual preparation for each lesson, building strong relationships with students and families, using data to tailor instruction, and actively engaging in collaboration with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Execute daily lesson plans for all assigned blocks (mix of lead teaching and supporting co-teacher).
• Implement all Persistence Prep routines and procedures with fidelity.
• Submit weekly lesson plans and unit plans in a timely manner for feedback.
• Create comprehensive unit assessments aligned to standards and pacing plans.
• Actively participate in all professional development sessions and weekly coaching sessions.
• Incorporate feedback from coaches in a timely manner.
• Communicate weekly with families and other key stakeholders.
• Provide scholars with frequent and accurate behavioral and academic feedback.
• Identify students who are academically at risk and initiate effective intervention strategies.
• Consistently analyze scholar data and engage in self-reflection on practices.
• Complete all duties, posts, and tasks as assigned.

Competencies

• Commitment to uphold and execute upon the mission of Persistence Prep.
• Unwavering, high expectations for all scholars, with a belief that all children deserve access to a college education.
• Clear and effective communication skills for diverse audiences including students, staff, families, and the local community.
• Solutions-focused style that encourages teamwork and collaboration to support student development.
• Willingness to foster creativity and innovation with enthusiasm for work, and ability to motivate and unite others.
• Persistence in the face of obstacles, productive problem-solving to counter setbacks, initiative to seize opportunities, and soliciting feedback.
• Belief in student empowerment and willingness to allow students to play an active role in supporting the school's vision and climate.
• Commitment to a results-driven approach, with strong ability to analyze data and use it to inform decision-making.
• Ability to reflect on how to improve, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, and willingness to take responsibility for actions and mistakes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum two years of urban teaching preferred.
• New York State teacher license/certification preferred (Special Education {9010}, Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 {9014}, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education Birth - Grade 2 {3013}).
• Dual certification in Special Education or TESOL preferred.
• Successful manager of an urban classroom who has used structure, incentives, and high expectations to drive student success.
• Experienced classroom teacher with demonstrated quantifiable and objective student performance gains that surpass state or local averages.
• Ability to work with a variety of learning abilities, including those with special needs and low skill level in a heterogeneously grouped classroom setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team, especially with parents and community members.

Pay

Starting salary: $47,000 (competitive).

Schedule

Start date: August 1, 2026. Permanent, full-time position.