Middle School ELA Teacher (Hiring Immediately)

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter

schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-

resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student

population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network

identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools

serving more than 20,000 students in five cities : Boston, Camden, New York

City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in

and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We

achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional

learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Rochester Prep currently manages six schools serving students in grades K

through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and

students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional

model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. Rochester

Prep schools are consistently some of the citys top-performing, and our

students have an impressive 85% college acceptance rate.

Job Description

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

1. Instruction

• Youll empower students to be their fullest selves by teaching an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all students.
• Youll guide students to analyze literary and non-narrative texts, assess an authors purpose, write in a variety of genres, and grapple with meaningful questions in student-led discourse.
• Youll create an inclusive and safe environment, allying with students to speak and write in their authentic voice.
• You’ll guide students to choose books of interest independently, as they develop their own passions and interests as readers.

2. Data Analysis

• Youll meet weekly with your principal andor instructional coach to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
• Youll learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

3. 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 childs learning needs.
• Youll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Youll participate in weekly, school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• Youll partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization
• 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).
• Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or other related fields of study.
• Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. Certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, but you do need to 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.

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon. We believe our compensation

philosophy and benefits should reflect our values equity, transparency, and

clarity to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their

expertise. Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to

develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality

education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position : The starting compensation for this role

based in Rochester is between $50,000 to $64,700. The starting pay will depend

on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional

experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges

for current staff members.

Other Benefits :

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• 529 college savings program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
• Financial planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence
• Fully paid parental leave
• Fully paid medical leave
• Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and

inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are

committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse

backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an

inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues

of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity

employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees

and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of

any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin,

disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation,

gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by

federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with

disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment

and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to

perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation,

please email [email protected].