Teacher 7th Grade Science Teacher
Job Description
Neighborhood Charter School: Harlem has been chartered by the New York State Education Department and opened in Central Harlem in August 2012 with kindergarten and first grade. Neighborhood Charter School: Harlem currently serves grades K-6 and we will add a grade each year until the school accommodates scholars in kindergarten through eighth grade. The school has an accomplished and committed Board and support Network, and is one of the highest performing schools in the city. We are looking for experienced educators who are excited by the challenge of being part of a new school and have the dedication and motivation to make it happen.
Mission of the School
Our mission is to provide the children of Harlem with new educational opportunities through a rigorous, comprehensive K-8 program that cultivates the intellectual, social and emotional development of each child. Our students, who will include high functioning children with autism spectrum disorders, will become independent learners and critical thinkers, will acquire the academic skills that they need to succeed in college preparatory high schools and will exhibit the social and emotional skills that will allow them to reach their full potential.
Teaching at Neighborhood Charter School: Harlem:
High quality teachers who have a professional and personal dedication to student achievement are the single most important factor to the success of students and the school. Therefore, recruiting and selecting the best teaching staff is paramount to our success.
Each of our teachers will be supported by:
- Attending a new staff orientation
- Professional development sessions that target:
- Deep knowledge of the curricular programs used in the school
- Delivery of instruction
- Intensive methodology in scaffolding curriculum to meet diverse learners
- Developing assessments to track effectiveness of lessons
- Higher-order thinking
- Inquiry-based learning
- Classroom management
- Inclusion of families as partners
Responsibilities of our Science Teacher:
Belief System
- Have an unyielding belief that all students will achieve
- Desire to tailor instruction and “think outside of the box” to expose students to high quality, meaningful instruction at all times
Planning and Preparation
- Set and hold students accountable for high academic and behavioral standards
- Design rigorous, inquiry-based Science lessons that are aligned to state standards and are rich with opportunity for students to participate in meaningful and thoughtful discovery through hands-on exploration
- Immediately adjust lessons and teaching style if it is not resulting in academic and emotional growth
- Consider the various learning styles of students when planning and implement opportunities for all students to participate in every lesson
Delivery of Instruction
- Deliver fast paced and stimulating lessons that are hands-on and engage students in the scientific process
- Design inquiry based lessons that permit students to engage in daily experiments
Classroom Management and Classroom Culture
- Maintain impeccable order in the classroom with clear expectations and routines
- Develop and maintain a phenomenal room environment that is clean, organized, student centered and print rich
Developing as a Professional
- Willingness to give and accept feedback in order to grow professionally
- Willingness to be a public learner and participate in learning opportunities with colleagues
Student Data and Assessments
- Develop and implement frequent student assessments that gauge the academic growth of students
- Use informal and formal assessments to adjust teaching in order to better meet the needs of students
- Communicate assessment data with students, families and supervisors
- Maintain student portfolios
- Create and implement performance based tasks for multiple subject areas
Professionalism and Skills
- Impeccable attendance and punctuality is expected
- Superior inter and intra personal skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong work ethic
Educational Background and Work Experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- New York State certification or eligible
- Demonstrated success working with students
- One year of teaching experience working an urban setting (preferred)
- Knowledge and experience working with students with disabilities, specifically high-functioning autism spectrum disorders
