Science Teacher | Middle School | BTWA MS

Elevate Charter Schools•Hamden, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Booker T. Washington Academy (BTWA) Middle School is seeking a mission-driven, high-impact Science Teacher for grades 5-8. The role involves delivering rigorous and engaging science instruction within a school culture focused on character, discipline, and educational uplift. The ideal candidate will create a joyful, structured, and academically demanding classroom where scholars develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. This position contributes to BTWA's legacy as a Connecticut School of Distinction and its commitment to academic and character excellence. The role is suited for educators with strong instructional skills, a deep care for students, and a commitment to developing young leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher
Valid teaching certification, or eligibility to obtain required CT 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, and intellectually challenging classroom where scholars feel supported, known, and pushed 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
Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy
Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including multilingual learners (ELs) and students with IEPs
Belief in the potential of every scholar to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level

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 is a plus

Responsibilities

Plan rigorous science learning by intellectually preparing standards-aligned, phenomenon-based lessons that build students’ scientific thinking and align with BTWA’s academic model.
Deliver high-quality instruction that develops core disciplinary skills—modeling, analyzing data, constructing explanations, and engaging in scientific argumentation.
Build strong, affirming relationships that create a classroom where scholars feel safe taking intellectual risks, asking questions, and exploring scientific ideas.
Integrate culturally relevant and responsive practices to make science meaningful, identity-affirming, and connected to students’ lived experiences and communities.
Use data and ongoing assessment (exit tickets, lab checks, discourse, formative tasks) to differentiate instruction and ensure every learner is known and supported.
Establish a structured, joyful classroom grounded in mutual respect, high expectations, and consistent routines that support productive scientific discourse and collaboration.
Model and reinforce BTWA’s values —excellence, character, self-discipline, responsibility—to help scholars grow as leaders in school and community.
Partner with families to build trust, share progress, and ensure shared ownership of student growth.
Contribute to school life by supporting events, leading a club or enrichment experience (STEM-related or otherwise), and helping sustain BTWA’s traditions and community culture.
Engage in weekly professional learning, including coaching, co-planning, department work, and grade-level collaboration focused on strong science instruction and deeper learning.
Collaborate with colleagues to build a positive, high-performing adult culture centered on continuous improvement and shared responsibility for student success.
Give and receive feedback to refine instructional practice, strengthen lab and classroom routines, and improve student outcomes—demonstrating adaptability, openness, and a growth-oriented mindset as part of your professional practice.
Support common school routines (arrival, dismissal, lunch, recess, transitions) to ensure safety, consistency, and a positive school culture.
Lead a homeroom/advisory that builds community, fosters authentic relationships, and supports scholars’ social-emotional development.
Help design and strengthen school-wide systems, rituals, and traditions, including exhibitions, performances, and public demonstrations of learning that reinforce BTWA’s identity and celebrate scholar voice.
Take ownership of school-wide initiatives and special projects that advance BTWA’s mission and support scholars’ academic and character development.