Overview
We’re excited about specials teachers who are fired up about their lessons—who want to spend their time discussing, preparing, and immersing themselves in the rich content they teach. We value teachers who truly listen to what students are saying—who create a space for students to think their way through to answers, and who praise their insights and curiosities along the way. We value educators with a hunger for feedback and professional growth, and a dedication to excellence.
Our teachers embrace a rigorous liberal arts program and a positive approach to discipline, believe in the power of family and community partnerships, and commit to helping students succeed in college and beyond.
Why extraordinary teachers teach at Ascend
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Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools serving 5,500 students in 15 schools across Brooklyn—New York's most populous borough. Our undertaking is to lead our students on a great intellectual adventure, provide them with an exceptional college preparatory education, and place them firmly on the path to success in college and beyond.
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.
Visit our website to learn more about the Ascend approach.
Responsibilities
The middle school specials teacher will develop and teach engaging lessons that follow the rigorous, Common Core aligned Ascend curriculum. Additionally, the dance teacher will:
- Use formal and informal assessment data to drive instruction and ensure student mastery of standards
- Build a warm and inclusive classroom environment, implementing the practices of Responsive Classroom
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with students and families
- Actively participate in grade-level meetings, collaborative planning, and professional development, including an annual summer institute
- Accept ultimate responsibility for the academic progress of his or her students, and work actively to overcome setbacks
Staff and reporting relationships
The specials teacher reports to the assistant principal. They also accept direction from and works closely with the dean of students.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree and certification preferred
- The ability to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, engaged, and academically challenged
- Passion for teaching students in underserved areas and commitment to closing the achievement gap
- Relentless drive to set and achieve ambitious goals
- Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
- Growth mindset and ability to use feedback to improve practice
- Experience teaching in underserved areas preferred
Compensation
Initial salary offers for this position range from $60,000 - $90,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.
Early Hire Bonus
If you receive an early offer to join us for the 2023-24 School Year after undergoing our talent processes, and sign prior to July 31st, 2023 you are eligible to receive a one-time $5,000 bonus.
see further details below
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.
the early hire bonus is conditional and subject to all required taxes and withholdings, good standing status, to be paid within ninety (90) days following your first day of work.