Middle School Science Teacher | BTWA MS

Elevate Charter Schools•Hamden, CT

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Booker T. Washington Academy (BTWA) Middle School seeks a mission-driven Science Teacher to teach students in grades 5–8. The teacher will deliver rigorous, engaging, standards-aligned, phenomenon-based science instruction and foster scientific thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and students’ confidence as scientists. The role includes building a joyful, structured, academically demanding classroom grounded in character, discipline, responsibility, and educational uplift; supporting students’ academic and social-emotional growth; and contributing to the school’s community and mission. The teacher will work collaboratively with colleagues, families, and school leaders, participate in weekly professional learning, and contribute to school routines, events, enrichment, and school-wide initiatives. The position is full-time and exempt, reports to the School Principal, and is based in Hamden / New Haven, Connecticut. The start date is the 2026–27 school year, with an immediate opening/hire. Salary is $50,500–$90,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Elevate Charter Schools offers comprehensive benefits packages to regular, full-time employees; specific benefits are not listed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Valid teaching certification or eligibility to obtain required Connecticut certification through reciprocity.
2–3 years of successful teaching experience with a demonstrated record of strong student achievement.
Ability to build a safe, structured, intellectually challenging classroom where students feel supported and known while being challenged to engage in meaningful work.
Reflective practice and personal accountability for student growth, achievement, and overall experience.
Commitment to BTWA’s mission and values, including excellence, character, self-discipline, responsibility, and educational uplift.
Commitment to educational equity, youth development, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including multilingual learners and students with IEPs.
Belief in the potential of every student to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level.
Positive mindset, strong work ethic, drive for excellence, and ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, results-driven environment.
Openness to feedback and continuous improvement; flexibility, collaboration, and commitment to high standards and student success.

Nice To Haves

3–5+ years of teaching experience with a strong record of student achievement.
Experience in an urban, high-expectations, or charter school setting.
Experience teaching middle-grade learners, ideally in a values-driven school community.
Experience integrating hands-on, inquiry-based, or lab-based science instruction.

Responsibilities

Plan rigorous, standards-aligned, phenomenon-based science lessons that develop students’ scientific thinking and align with BTWA’s academic model.
Deliver science instruction that develops modeling, data analysis, explanation construction, and scientific argumentation skills.
Build affirming relationships and a classroom where students feel safe taking intellectual risks, asking questions, and exploring scientific ideas.
Use culturally relevant and responsive practices to connect science to students’ identities, lived experiences, and communities.
Use assessment and student data to differentiate instruction and support every learner.
Establish a structured, joyful classroom with mutual respect, high expectations, consistent routines, scientific discourse, and collaboration.
Model and reinforce BTWA’s values of excellence, character, self-discipline, and responsibility.
Partner with families to build trust, share student progress, and support student growth.
Support school events and lead a club or enrichment experience.
Participate in weekly professional learning, including coaching, co-planning, department work, and grade-level collaboration.
Collaborate with colleagues and give and receive feedback to improve instruction, classroom and lab routines, and student outcomes.
Support common school routines, including arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, and transitions.
Lead a homeroom or advisory that builds community, relationships, and students’ social-emotional development.
Help develop school-wide systems, rituals, traditions, exhibitions, performances, and public demonstrations of learning.
Take ownership of school-wide initiatives and special projects that advance BTWA’s mission and students’ academic and character development.