Middle School Science Teacher | BTWA MS

Elevate Charter Schools•Hamden, CT

12d•$50,500 - $90,000

About The Position

Booker T. Washington Academy Middle School seeks a mission-driven, high-impact science teacher for its grades 5–8 team. The teacher will deliver rigorous, engaging science instruction and contribute to a school culture grounded in character, discipline, and educational uplift. The role involves building a joyful, structured, academically demanding classroom where scholars think critically, collaborate, and develop as scientists and problem-solvers. The teacher will help students build the habits of mind, work ethic, and personal responsibility needed for high school, college, and community leadership. The teacher will work with colleagues committed to high-quality instruction, student potential, and a learning environment where students are known, supported, and challenged. The position also contributes to BTWA’s academic and character-development mission and its ongoing commitment to educational excellence.

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 track record of strong student achievement.
Ability to build a safe, structured, intellectually challenging classroom where scholars feel supported, known, and encouraged to engage deeply 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 every scholar’s potential to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level.
Positive mindset, very strong work ethic, inner drive for excellence, and ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, results-driven environment.
Mission-driven belief in the brilliance and promise of all students, particularly students of color.
Growth-oriented approach, including welcoming feedback, reflecting on practice, and continually improving.
Flexible, solutions-focused, entrepreneurial approach.
Ability to thrive in a team-based culture and collaborate toward school success.
High standards and a student-centric, “whatever it takes” mentality.

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 build scientific thinking and align with BTWA’s academic model.
Deliver instruction developing disciplinary skills such as modeling, data analysis, constructing explanations, and scientific argumentation.
Build affirming relationships and a classroom where scholars feel safe taking intellectual risks, asking questions, and exploring scientific ideas.
Integrate culturally relevant and responsive practices that connect science to students’ identities, lived experiences, and communities.
Use data and ongoing assessments to differentiate instruction and ensure every learner is known and supported.
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 progress, and support student growth.
Support school events, lead a club or enrichment experience, and help sustain BTWA traditions and community culture.
Participate in weekly professional learning, including coaching, co-planning, department work, and grade-level collaboration.
Collaborate with colleagues to foster a positive adult culture focused on continuous improvement and shared responsibility for student success.
Give and receive feedback to refine instruction, strengthen lab and classroom routines, and improve student outcomes.
Support common school routines such as arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, and transitions.
Lead a homeroom or advisory to build community, authentic relationships, and scholars’ social-emotional development.
Help design and strengthen school-wide systems, rituals, traditions, exhibitions, performances, and public demonstrations of learning.
Take ownership of school-wide initiatives and special projects advancing BTWA’s mission and scholars’ academic and character development.