Middle School ELA Teacher

Company Description

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. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

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

• You‘ll empower students to be their fullest selves by teaching an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all students.

• You‘ll 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.

• You‘ll 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

• 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.

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 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 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

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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 bachelor‘s degree from an accredited college or university and have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher by the time employment begins. You do not need to be certified to be hired; however, if hired you will need to pass state teacher certification tests to meet the MA state requirements.
- All Commonwealth charter teachers must either have an appropriate MA educator’s license or pass required the MTEL(s) including the Communications and Literacy MTEL , Subject Specific MTEL, and the MTEL SEI (Sheltered English Immersion) Endorsement within first year of employment. All core academic teachers
* assigned to teach English learners are required to earn the SEI endorsement.…