5th Grade ELA Teacher (SY 26-27)

Explore Schools • Brooklyn, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Explore Schools is hiring an in-person 5th Grade ELA Teacher in Brooklyn, New York, for the 2026–2027 school year. The teacher will deliver standards-aligned, culturally responsive instruction and support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. The role emphasizes student engagement, critical thinking, inclusive classroom culture, relationship-building, and collaboration with colleagues and families. The teacher will use the Responsive Classroom approach and restorative practices, and will participate in school meetings, professional development, and organizational work to dismantle white supremacy culture.

The role is exempt and is not eligible for overtime. The standard work week is 45 hours, though the job may sometimes require more. During non-student hours, staff may be able to choose their work location 1–3 days per week when possible. The position requires in-person work at one of Explore Schools’ Brooklyn locations.

For the 2026–2027 school year, annualized base salaries for teachers with 0–10 years of experience range from $62,710 to $84,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree, and from $67,486 to $93,636 for those with a master’s degree. Salary is based on relevant experience, education, and New York State certification. The posting also advertises a $6,000 signing bonus for candidates who apply to ELA Teacher roles starting September 29th and join the team. Additional compensation may include stipends, leadership opportunities, and pay for specialized certifications.

Benefits include a comprehensive benefits plan covering up to 95% of costs for employees and their families, dental and vision plans, employer-paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, vacation time, paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, an employee assistance program, childcare assistance, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching. School-based staff receive weekly professional development, year-round retreats and trainings, ongoing coaching, and scholarship support for qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition.

Requirements

• Classroom teaching experience is required.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience teaching grades 3–8.
• ELA content and pedagogical knowledge.
• Ability to use culturally responsive approaches to pedagogy and relationship-building.
• Ability to cultivate a positive classroom culture through student relationships and classroom management strategies that promote safety and inclusion.
• Clear and precise classroom communication and ability to lead inquiry-based discussions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized.
• Ability to stand for at least five hours a day, make multiple trips up and down stairs, and move quickly in an emergency.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of classroom teaching experience is preferred.
• New York State Teaching Certification is preferred.
• Master’s degree in Education is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver lessons using culturally responsive pedagogical strategies to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth and achievement.
• Prepare and internalize shared curriculum and create engaging unit and lesson plans.
• Administer and grade assessments, analyze the resulting data, and act on it.
• Maintain accurate and organized student records.
• Use Responsive Classroom practices, including morning meetings, teacher language, and interactive modeling, to cultivate a positive classroom culture.
• Foster relationships among students and use restorative practices to repair harm to the community.
• Collaborate with colleagues across content areas and grade levels.
• Attend and actively participate in PLCs, grade-level meetings, professional development sessions, and other meetings.
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences as needed and maintain ongoing communication with parents.
• Ensure student safety at all times.
• Assist with non-instructional student supervision, including arrival and dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch and playground duty, and extracurricular activities.
• Attend field trips, which may include overnight trips for specific grades.
• Engage in identity work and necessary conversations to dismantle white supremacy culture.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual increases based on tenure and no cap on years of experience for incoming teachers.
• $6,000 signing bonus for eligible ELA Teacher applicants who apply starting September 29th and join the team.
• Additional compensation opportunities, including stipends for additional time worked and leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications.
• Comprehensive benefits plan covering up to 95% of costs for employees and their families.
• Dental and vision plans.
• Employer-paid disability and life insurance.
• Parental leave benefits.
• Flexible spending account options.
• Vacation time and paid holidays.
• Professional development, including weekly professional development, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching.
• Continuing education scholarships and scholarship support for qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition.
• Referral bonuses.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Childcare assistance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level