Middle School ELA Teacher

About Us

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership.

About the Role

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

• Instruction
  • Empower students to be their fullest selves by teaching an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all students.
  • 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.
  • Create an inclusive and safe environment, allying with students to speak and write in their authentic voice.
  • Guide students to choose books of interest independently, as they develop their own passions and interests as readers.
• Data Analysis
  • Meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
  • Learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.
• School Culture
  • Build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
  • Partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to 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, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
  • Partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (required prior to the start of employment).

Certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, but you must 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.

Pay

Compensation for this role is between $52,000 to $68,000. 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 $52,000.

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