High School History Teacher

Position Overview

Uncommon High School History teachers work in department teams to push students towards being self-guided learners. Our teachers become experts in their course content and have a keen sense of how to motivate and inspire high school students. History classes aim to empower students' voices and develop them into global citizens by emphasizing textual analysis, analytical writing, and discourse. At the conclusion of high school, students are prepared for academic autonomy and college preparatory work. Compensation: $59,000 - $83,000

Key Responsibilities

• Build an inclusive and safe environment where students are empowered to use their voices to express evidence-based opinions and perspectives.
• Facilitate student-led discourse of historical topics, where students grapple with open-ended guiding questions, engage in peer-to-peer debate, and synthesize arguments.
• Work with the History department to determine academic and engagement goals for students.
• Guide students to understand the author's claim and the power of sourcing while developing the skills of argumentation, corroboration, inquiry, and historiography through primary and secondary source analysis.
• Teach a curriculum that prioritizes analysis of World History, US History, American Government, and Economics in preparation for Advanced Placement (AP) and collegiate level coursework.
• Learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.
• Meet weekly with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
• Partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Participate in weekly, school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• Partner with students' families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs.

Required Qualifications

• A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives.
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students' social emotional and academic development.
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students.
• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization.
• 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 must 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.
• Academic expertise in Education, History, Geography, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Social Sciences, or the Humanities.

Preferred Qualifications

• A demonstrated interest in impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities (1-2 years experience preferred).

Benefits & Perks

• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Financial planning & wellness
• New Jersey Pension program
• 529 college savings program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
• Financial planning tools and assistance
• Paid leave of absence
• Fully paid parental leave
• Fully paid medical leave
• Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance
• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans