Middle School ELA Teacher

Uncommon Schools • Boston, MA

20h • $71,000 - $116,000

About The Position

Uncommon Middle School English Language Arts teachers teach an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum focused on literature, writing, discourse, reading comprehension, and student agency. They build engaging, safe classroom cultures that support students’ academic and social-emotional development and help students find and use their authentic voices. Teachers develop subject mastery and an understanding of middle school students’ social-emotional needs, using research-based instructional strategies to prepare students for the academic autonomy and college-preparatory focus of high school.

The role includes analyzing student work and assessments with school leaders, differentiating instruction, partnering with families and grade-level colleagues, and participating in coaching, professional development, and school-wide meetings. The position requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 by the start of employment. Teacher certification is not required for hiring, but Massachusetts educator licensure or required MTEL exams and endorsements are required as applicable.

Requirements

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social-emotional and academic development.
• Enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in students’ best interests.
• Ability to learn independently, solicit and implement feedback, improve outcomes, and achieve objectives.
• Demonstrated interest in impacting K–12 students in urban schools and communities; 1–2 years of experience is preferred.
• Academic expertise in Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or a related field of study.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by the start of employment, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
• For Commonwealth charter teachers, an appropriate Massachusetts educator’s license or passing the required MTELs, including Communications and Literacy, the subject-specific MTEL, and the MTEL SEI endorsement, within the first year of employment, as applicable.
• Core academic teachers assigned to teach English learners must earn the SEI endorsement; a teacher without it has one year from assignment to teach English learners to earn the MTEL SEI endorsement.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience impacting K–12 students in urban schools and communities (1–2 years preferred).

Responsibilities

• Teach an inclusive, culturally responsive curriculum that seeks equitable outcomes for all students.
• Guide students in analyzing literary and non-narrative texts, assessing authors’ purposes, writing in different genres, and engaging in student-led discourse.
• Create an inclusive and safe environment where students can speak and write in their authentic voices.
• Guide students in independently choosing books of interest and developing their reading passions.
• Meet weekly with the principal and/or instructional coach to analyze student work and assessment trends and respond to them.
• Learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners.
• Build positive relationships so students feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support student learning needs.
• Participate in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model core values, and encourage student achievement.
• Partner with the grade-level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation of $71,000–$116,000; starting pay depends on factors including relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.
• Paid time off including sick time, paid holidays, and approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks across spring, winter, and summer.
• Extensive training and development.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts, dependent care flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.
• Financial planning.
• Pension through the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System.
• 403(b) retirement savings program.
• Transit commuter benefit with employer subsidy toward eligible transit expenses.
• Paid leave of absence options, including parental, medical, and disability leave.
• Mental health and counseling support and wellness benefits.

What This Job Offers

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