ESL Teacher

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 54 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond. 

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

Job Description

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher will help provide and guide instruction for K-12 ESL students across several campuses at North Star Academy. The ESL teacher will work closely with the school-based Special Education Coordinators, as well as with teachers and leaders throughout the region, so this position requires the ability to travel between our Newark campuses.  The ESL Teacher will report to the Associate Director of Special Education.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate a relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students both in and out of school
• Show unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness
• Provide in-class support in the general education setting and small group instruction to ESL students
• Provide support and feedback to content teachers on sheltered instruction strategies as needed
• Attend and participate IEP meetings for English Learners as directed by the Associate Director of Special Education
• Follow ESSA guidelines for identification, instruction, assessment, and exiting ESL students
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
• Implement curricula and activities to meet academic and language acquisition standards aligned to the WIDA English language development standards
• Complete training for administering WIDA assessments used to identify and determine continued eligibility for ESL services
• Provide consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and strict code of conduct
• Be accountable for students’ mastery of academic and language acquisition standards
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
• Engage families in their children’s education
• Commit to continual professional growth

Qualifications

• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Flexibility to adapt to the needs of our students
• Proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for academic subjects
• Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
• Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred; and
• Minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred
• By the time that employment begins, candidates must have received a Bachelor's degree from a College or University. For teaching roles in New Jersey, the candidates must have earned a cumulative 2.75 GPA (for candidates graduating before September 1, 2016) or 3.0 (for candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016).
• Valid NJ English as a Second Language State Certification is required
• Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to