Middle School Science Teacher (SY 26-27)

About Us

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing nearly 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers. As an organization, we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

About You

You are an educator with experience teaching grades 6-8. You are excited to work closely with our students and believe that collaboration among adults leads to the highest levels of student achievement. You prioritize student engagement, critical thinking, and authentic relationship-building in the classroom. You have demonstrated that you are a reflective practitioner who puts the needs of students first and is committed to educating the whole child. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Exceptional dedication and intentionality to achieve results and make growth in your own practice and in related student outcomes
• Ability to cultivate a positive classroom culture through building relationships with students and using classroom management strategies to promote safety and inclusion
• Strong classroom presence: clear and precise when sharing new content and effective at leading inquiry-based class discussions
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written
• ELA content and pedagogical knowledge
• Detail-oriented and highly organized

• Classroom teaching experience required; at least 2 years preferred
• Bachelor's degree required
• New York State Teaching Certification preferred
• Master's Degree in Education preferred

Responsibilities

• Deliver lessons using a range of culturally-responsive pedagogical strategies to support all students in reaching high levels of academic and social-emotional growth and achievement
• Intellectually prepare and internalize our shared curriculum and create thoughtful and engaging unit and lesson plans
• Administer and grade assessments, then analyze and act on data
• Keep accurate and organized records of student information
• Use the Responsive Classroom approach to cultivate a positive classroom culture, including morning meeting, teacher language, interactive modeling, and other related practices
• Foster an environment built on restorative practices by ensuring students build relationships with one another and repair harm to the community
• Collaborate with colleagues across content areas and grade levels
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings, including PLCs, grade-level meetings, and PD sessions
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences as needed, as well as ongoing parent communication
• Ensure the safety of students at all times
• Assist with non-instructional supervision of students, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch and playground duty, or supervision of extracurricular activities
• Attend field trips throughout the year, which may include overnight trips for specific grades
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations to dismantle white supremacy culture

Compensation and Benefits

Explore Schools offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package. Our salary scale for this role is based on relevant years of experience, education, and NYS certification, using an equity lens.

• Teachers with a bachelor's degree and 0–10 years of experience: $62,710–$84,000 for the 2026–2027 school year
• Teachers with a master's degree and 0–10 years of experience: $67,486–$93,636 for the 2026–2027 school year

Salary increases are offered each year based on tenure. Additional compensation opportunities include stipends for extra time worked, leadership roles, specialized certifications, and more.

• A comprehensive benefits plan covering up to 95% of costs for employees and their families, including medical, dental, and vision plans
• Employer-paid disability and life insurance
• Parental leave benefits
• Flexible spending account options
• Generous vacation time and paid holidays
• Professional development and continuing education scholarships
• Referral bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Childcare assistance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching

School-based staff also receive:

• Weekly professional development, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching
• Scholarship funds for New York State certification costs, higher education tuition, and professional development
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1–3 days a week when possible, within a structured 45-hour work week

Location and Physical Requirements

Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in the Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. This position requires in-person work and is exempt, meaning it is not eligible for overtime. The standard work week is 45 hours, though you may work more at times.

This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down stairs, and move quickly in an emergency.