Secondary Science Educator

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing high-performing public charter schools that deliver exceptional K-12 education in underserved communities. Our schools reflect the diversity of our student body, with over 60% of our educators and staff identifying as people of color. Currently, we operate 53 schools, serving more than 20,000 students across five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. Our graduates are remarkably successful, persisting in and graduating from college at five times the national average. This success is achieved through a strong academic framework, co-curricular activities, and a focus on social-emotional learning that equips students for college and future endeavors.

Rochester Prep oversees six schools catering to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. We emphasize the importance of authentic relationships between educators and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that fosters both academic and personal growth. Our schools consistently rank among the top performers in the city, boasting an impressive 85% college acceptance rate.

The role of a High School Science Teacher at Uncommon Schools involves collaborating with colleagues across the network to equip all students with the necessary tools and knowledge to engage critically in scientific fields and cultivate them into independent learners. Central to all Science courses is an inquiry-based approach, emphasizing student discourse and scientific practices. Our educators utilize diverse instructional strategies to ignite a passion for scientific inquiry and analysis among students. We aim to prepare every student to pursue and excel in any STEM field, fostering a generation of citizen scientists who possess the skills to engage critically in science, irrespective of their future academic or professional paths. Our teachers are experts in their subject matter and are adept at motivating and inspiring high school learners.

Key Responsibilities

1. Instructional Duties

• Deliver a curriculum encompassing Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Sciences, preparing students for Advanced Placement (AP) and college-level coursework.
• Cultivate students' skills in questioning, modeling, constructing explanations, data analysis, argumentation, and conducting interactive laboratory experiments.
• Foster an environment where students feel empowered to express their ideas and engage in scientific discussions.
• Facilitate student-led discussions, encouraging the use of evidence to formulate sophisticated claims and evaluate arguments.
• Guide student-led inquiries into various scientific topics and involve students in lab and project-based assessments.
• Collaborate with the Science department to set academic and engagement objectives for students.

2. Data-Driven Instruction

• Participate in weekly meetings with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze and respond to trends in student performance and assessments.
• Implement strategies to differentiate instruction for diverse learners in your classroom.

3. Cultivating School Culture

• Establish positive relationships with students to ensure they feel valued and understood.
• Collaborate with families to ensure that appropriate resources are available to support their child's educational needs.
• Engage in professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions focused on practice improvement.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to foster community, exemplify our core values, and promote student success.
• Work with your grade-level team to set academic goals and refine instructional strategies.

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and a dedication to our vision of being an anti-racist organization.
• A proven commitment to supporting students' social-emotional and academic growth.
• A passion for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students.
• A self-motivated learner who actively seeks and applies feedback to enhance outcomes and achieve goals.
• Required Experience:
  • A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban settings (1-2 years of experience preferred).
  • Academic expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related fields.
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required prior to employment. Certification is not mandatory for hiring at Uncommon, but candidates must meet New York state certification eligibility requirements. To fulfill these requirements, enrollment in a teacher preparation program is necessary, along with maintaining a GPA of 2.75 or higher during employment if the degree is not in education. Uncommon Schools teachers are expected to obtain certification in New York within a reasonable timeframe after starting employment.

Our staff is 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 while rewarding their expertise. Our educators receive top-tier training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: The starting salary for this role based in New York ranges from $50,000 to $64,700. The initial pay will be influenced by various factors, including relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. We value staff tenure in a role and do not impose salary caps for current employees.

Additional Benefits:

• Generous paid time off, including sick leave and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer), along with additional sustainability half days throughout the academic year.
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development opportunities.
• Choice of three comprehensive health insurance plans.
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health savings accounts.
• Financial planning and wellness resources
  • 403(b) retirement savings program with employer matching.
  • 529 college savings program.
  • Assistance with Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications.
  • Financial planning tools and support.
• Dependent Care FSA, backup 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, along with wellness benefits.

Uncommon is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We strive to build an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students while ensuring an inclusive community that promotes meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on 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 essential job functions.