Associate Teacher

We guide our students to think critically and independently, and to enjoy education as an end in itself. We teach a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures students’ natural curiosity about the world. We foster a positive, non-punitive school culture where students feel connected, empowered, and safe to take academic risks. And we design our school buildings to reflect the incredible accomplishments that happen within their walls and our high aspirations for teaching and learning.

To create this kind of vibrant learning community, we invest heavily in our faculty by providing ongoing professional training and support and encourage our educators to collaborate closely and push each other to achieve great outcomes.

Ascend is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist community, through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.

Visit our website to learn more about the Ascend approach.

Responsibilities

• Build pedagogical skills through professional development sessions with Ascend staff
• Prepare and internalize lesson plans for core content areas
• Create lesson plans
• Supervise in class and whole school procedures
• Observe, assist, or co-teach, gradually increasing responsibility; teach full lessons independently by mid-year
• Facilitate classroom activities, tutor small groups, develop homework assignments, grade assessments, analyze student data, create plans for remediation, and assume extracurricular activities
• Actively participate in grade-level meetings, collaborative planning, professional development sessions, and community-building events

Staff and reporting relationships

The associate teacher reports to the principal. They also receive direction from and work closely with their co-teacher and assistant principal.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be:
  • College graduate or expected graduate in spring 2024 (bachelor's degree)
• Candidates must demonstrate a:
  • Deep passion for the importance of a liberal arts education and a particular academic discipline
  • Commitment to teaching students in underserved areas and the drive to combat the systemic inequities in America’s schools
  • Strong track record of academic achievement and extracurricular leadership
  • Relentless pursuit of and track record of setting and achieving ambitious goals
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills
  • Strong organization and time management
  • Ability to quickly implement feedback to improve practice

Diversity at Ascend

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.

Compensation

Initial salary offers for this position is $50,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.

Ascend's Vaccination Policy Statement

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of staff, students, family members, interns, volunteers, and visitors to Ascend’s premises from COVID-19 infection, Ascend requires all staff to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. This policy is mandatory except for staff with a documented medical or religious reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.