Middle School History Teacher

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 bright future. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, a testament to our commitment to their success. We believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing 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!

Your Role: Middle School History Teacher

As a Middle School History Teacher, you will be an integral part of our grade-level teams, guiding students to become self-directed learners. Your role will focus on developing subject mastery while being attuned to the socio-emotional changes that middle school students experience. Your history classes will empower students’ voices and cultivate global citizens through:

• Textual analysis
• Analytical writing
• Engaging discourse

By the end of eighth grade, your students will be well-prepared for the academic autonomy and college preparatory focus of our high schools.

Key Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• Facilitate student-led discussions on historical topics, encouraging open-ended questions and peer-to-peer debates.
• Guide students in understanding authors' claims and the importance of sourcing while developing skills in argumentation, corroboration, inquiry, and historiography.
• Teach a curriculum that highlights the diverse histories of Indigenous peoples, African Americans, women, and ancient cultures, showcasing their impact on the United States.
• Create an inclusive and safe environment where students feel empowered to express evidence-based opinions.

2. Data Analysis

• Meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze student work samples and assessments.
• Implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

3. School Culture

• Build positive relationships with students, ensuring they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Collaborate with families to provide resources that support their child’s learning needs.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to foster community and model our core values.
• Work with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development.
• An enthusiasm for collaboration with internal and external partners in the best interest 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 Education, History, Geography, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, or the Humanities.
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration in NJ, but candidates must meet state certification eligibility requirements.

Why Join Us?

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the health, wellness, and financial stability of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity and fairness, aiming to attract and retain top talent.

Compensation

The salary for this role ranges from $56,000 to $80,000. Starting pay is determined by various factors, including relevant full-time teaching experience, educational certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

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 through the New Jersey Pension program.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support, plus wellness benefits.

*A detailed list of all benefits is available upon request.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects 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 type. We 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.