Job Description
Job DescriptionJoin Our Mission at Uncommon Schools!
At Uncommon Schools, we are more than just a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools; we are a community dedicated to transforming the educational landscape for students in economically disadvantaged areas. With schools in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are on a mission to close the college completion gap and prepare every student for a successful future. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, a testament to our commitment to their success. We believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing them with weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development. If you're ready to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference, we want you on our team!
About the Role: Special Education Teacher
As a Special Education Teacher at Uncommon Schools, you will play a vital role in advocating for students with special needs. Your passion for developing and monitoring accommodations will help ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and physically—all while maintaining high expectations.
Your Responsibilities
1. Instruction
- Modify, differentiate, and teach an inclusive curriculum that celebrates diversity.
- Collaborate with families and Special Education teams to create 504 and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that provide tailored accommodations.
- Foster an inclusive and safe environment where students feel empowered to become self-guided learners.
2. Special Education Specific Responsibilities
- Work alongside general education teachers and school leaders to analyze student work and ensure compliance with IEPs.
- Gather academic growth data and set goals in preparation for annual IEP meetings.
- Deliver pull-out, push-in, small group, and one-on-one instruction, implementing strategies to differentiate learning for all students.
3. School Culture
- Build positive relationships with students, ensuring they feel seen, loved, and heard.
- Partner with families to provide the necessary resources for their child’s learning needs.
- Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
- Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to cultivate community and encourage student achievement.
- Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and instructional strategies.
Qualifications
- A strong commitment to supporting students’ social, emotional, and academic development.
- A collaborative spirit, eager to work with internal and external partners for the benefit of students.
- A self-directed learner who actively seeks and implements feedback to improve outcomes.
- Required Experience:
- 1-2 years of experience impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities preferred.
- Academic expertise in Special Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite, but you must meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements.
Why Join Us?
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits designed to support the health, wellness, and financial stability of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity and fairness, ensuring we attract and retain top talent.
Compensation
The salary for this role ranges from $56,000 to $80,000, determined by factors such as relevant teaching experience, educational certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely start at $56,000.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
- Extensive, best-in-class training and development opportunities.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, along with pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
- Financial planning support through the New Jersey Pension program.
- Paid leave options for parental, medical, and disability needs.
- Mental health and counseling support, plus wellness benefits.
*A detailed list of all benefits is available upon request.
Our Commitment to Diversity
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that reflects the diverse perspectives and experiences of the communities we serve, with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any kind. We ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process.