Middle School Science Teacher (SY 22-23)

Company: Uncommon Schools North Star Academy
Location: Newark
Posted on: November 22, 2022

Job Description:

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.

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ 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. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

Job Description

Uncommon Middle School Science teachers work in grade-level teams to prepare all students with the tools and knowledge to critically engage in the field of science. At the heart of all Science courses is a love for the subject and inquiry-based learning, including a robust focus on student discourse and the science practices. Science teachers employ a variety of instructional strategies to develop a passion for scientific questioning and analysis in their students. Our teachers strive for subject mastery and have a keen sense of the socio-emotional changes middle schoolers experience. At 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 teach an interdisciplinary, NGSS-aligned curriculum that includes analysis of key areas including but not limited to: Climate and Earth's systems, the cosmos, matter and energy transformations, electricity and magnetism, and molecular and ecological systems.
You'll develop students' practices of questioning, modeling, constructing explanations, data analysis, argumentation, and planning and conducting interactive labs.
You'll use your love of science to foster confidence and meaningful engagement with the subject for students.
You'll cultivate an awareness of the interconnected nature of fields of science (e.g., ecosystems, climate change, and lunar phases) and our local and global community.

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 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 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.

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 Newark is between $59,000 to $74,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, certifications, tenure with Uncommon Schools, and work location. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges. Please note: ranges may differ for staff who work from a location other than Newark.

Benefits: We offer comprehensive, flexible, and competitive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families.

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, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability. 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.%2099766%

Keywords: Uncommon Schools North Star Academy, Newark , Middle School Science Teacher (SY 22-23), Other , Newark, New Jersey