Company Description
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!
Job Description
Uncommon Pre-K Teachers cultivate a love for learning in every student from the very start. Teachers and students engage in an environment that fosters curiosity, achievement, respect, and empathy (CARE). Our classrooms are engaging, intentional, and playful, and our educators encourage core values of respect and hard work while celebrating each child’s individuality. Through this work, teachers lay the academic and social-emotional foundations that carry students to and through college. Pre-K classrooms are led by teaching teams that include a lead teacher and an apprentice teacher.
Responsibilities
1. Instruction
- You’ll co-teach and build an engaging and joyful classroom environment that encourages mastery and empowers students to learn through exploration and purposeful play.
- You’ll teach literacy (reading comprehension, phonics, language development, vocabulary, and writing), mathematics, and core knowledge (science and social studies).
- You’ll collaborate with the teaching team (lead & apprentice teachers) to facilitate free-choice centers and small group instruction.
2. Data Analysis
- You’ll meet weekly with your Director to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
- You’ll learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.
3. Classroom Culture
- You’ll implement Uncommon’s instructional model and collaborate with the instructional coach and Director to ensure students meet academic and performance goals.
- You’ll use multiple data sources, including assessments and classroom quality observations, to make day-to-day instructional decisions (reflective).
- You’ll provide early learning experiences that foster positive feelings about school, teachers, and the broader community (nurturing).
- You’ll support student development across social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and academic domains (balanced).
- You’ll apply a variety of strategies to promote both conceptual understanding and skill development.
- You’ll model and support expressive and receptive language development throughout the school day.
- You’ll support administrative and operational tasks, including document creation, office support, and responding to student send-outs.
- You’ll assist with behavior interventions, student supervision, and accurate record-keeping to maintain a safe, structured, and positive learning environment.
4. School Culture
- You’ll provide classroom coverage as needed to ensure continuity of instruction and supervision.
- You’ll build strong, positive relationships with students so they feel seen, valued, and supported.
- You’ll partner with families to ensure appropriate resources are in place to support student learning and development.
- You’ll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching.
- You’ll support daily school operations including morning arrival, lunch duty, student assemblies, transitions, and after-school dismissal.
- You’ll participate in weekly school-wide meetings to foster community, model core values, and support student achievement.
- You’ll collaborate with teaching partners and grade-level teams to set academic goals and strengthen instructional practice.
Qualifications
A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
An enthusiasm for working with families in the best interest of students
A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
Required Experience:
A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).
Academic expertise in Elementary Education, Humanities, English, Social Sciences, or other related fields of study.
Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration at Uncommon Schools in the state of NJ, but you do need to meet NJ state certification eligibility requirements (a final undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduates on or after 9/1/16, or 2.75 if you graduated prior to 9/1/16). All instructional staff are required to become certified in the state of New Jersey within a reasonable period after beginning employment.
Additional Information
Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.
Our Approach to AI and Your Application
At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.
Compensation
Compensation for this role is between $56,000 to $80,000.
Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $56,000.
Benefits
Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
Extensive, best-in-class training and development
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
Financial Planning
Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.
At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.
As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.
