About the job
At Uncommon Schools, our High School English Language Arts (ELA) teachers are dedicated to inspiring a love for literature and fostering an engaging, challenging classroom environment. Our educators excel in their subject matter and possess a unique ability to motivate and inspire high school learners. Our curriculum emphasizes reading and encourages student-led discussions, allowing students to develop their voices and agency. By the end of the academic year, students are not only prepared for the demands of college coursework but also cultivate a lasting appreciation for literacy.
Key Responsibilities
1. Instruction
- Deliver a comprehensive literature curriculum that incorporates diverse and inclusive texts, setting students up for success in Advanced Placement (AP), SAT, and collegiate courses.
- Guide students through a deep analysis of literature from authors like James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Shakespeare, and Yaa Gyasi, sparking their passion for literature and enhancing their critical thinking skills.
- Help students enhance their independent and collaborative reading, writing, and discussion abilities.
- Facilitate student-led discussions, teaching them to substantiate their claims with evidence and to critically evaluate arguments and rhetoric.
- Regularly assess student comprehension and writing, adapting lessons to optimize learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with your department and grade-level teams to design content and instructional strategies that foster student success.
2. Data Analysis
- Engage in weekly meetings with your principal and/or instructional coach to analyze student performance trends.
- Implement differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
3. School Culture
- Build strong relationships with students, ensuring they feel valued and understood.
- Work with families to provide resources that support their children's educational needs.
- Participate in professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions to continually improve your teaching practice.
- Join weekly school-wide meetings to foster community, embody our core values, and promote student achievement.
- Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic strategies that cater to diverse learning needs.

