Job 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 Middle School Performing Arts Teachers foster a love for learning in every student. Our Performing Arts program is culturally-responsive, fast-paced, and fun—with plenty of acting, dancing, and singing in every lesson. Teachers cultivate communication skills and build student self-confidence by sharing their expertise in musical theater. We have built a community that encourages respect and hard work and celebrates our students’ academic and nonacademic achievements. Our performance based program goal is to train students to express their authentic unique selves with confidence.

Responsibilities

1. Teaching:

• You'll create an environment where students feel empowered to express themselves through song, dance, and drama.
• You'll teach enunciation, projection, acting, singing, and movement through our culturally relevant performance based program.
• You'll collaborate with fellow performing arts teachers to further develop a network-wide curriculum. 
• You'll teach Uncommon Schools performing arts curriculum which involves music, acting and movement.
• You'll design, direct, and produce multiple school productions annually.

2. Producing:

• You'll direct annual productions that enhance and reflect school culture.
• You'll create or order costumes, production sets, and props when needed.
• You'll craft production elements such as lights, sound, and set. 

3. School Culture: 

• You’ll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• You’ll partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their children’s learning needs.
• You'll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions. 
• You’ll support morning arrival, lunch duty, student assemblies, class transitions, and after-school dismissal. 
• You’ll support weekly morning circles and community meetings to celebrate student accomplishments and increase school spirit.
• You'll partner with your grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools
• 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
• A passion for musical theatre (singing, acting, and dancing) and an ability to provide individual and small group instruction
• Required Experience:
• A minimum of 2 years of combined experience as a performer, producer, playwright, director, and/or technical support.
• 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

  • Retirement benefits available based on role eligibility

• 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.

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