High School Physics Teacher

About the role

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Our teachers prepare all students such that they have the choice to study and excel in any STEM discipline and become citizen scientists that have the tools and knowledge to critically engage in the field of science regardless of their university major or professional career.

Responsibilities

• Instruction
• You’ll teach a curriculum that includes, but is not limited to, analysis of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Sciences that prepares students for Advanced Placement (AP) and collegiate level coursework.
• You'll develop students’ practices skills of questioning, modeling, constructing explanations, data analysis, argumentation, and planning and conducting interactive labs.
• You’ll create an environment where students feel confident using their voice to engage in scientific discourse.
• You will facilitate student-led discourse, during which students use evidence to make sophisticated claims and synthesize and critique arguments.
• You'll facilitate student-led inquiry of various scientific topics and engage students in lab and project-based performance tasks.
• You'll work with the Science department to determine academic and engagement goals for students.
• 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.
• 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).
• An academic expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, 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. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in the state of NJ, but you do need to meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements (a final undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if you graduated prior to 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in the state of New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.