Middle School Teacher (English Language Arts)
VOICE Charter School (www.voicecharterschool.org) is an elementary and middle school located in Long Island City, Queens, currently serving grades K-7. We combine rigorous academics with daily instruction in choral singing, encouraging creative and critical thinking while improving academic performance. Adding a full grade each year, we will serve students in grades K-8 this school year. We are looking to identify extraordinary educators and administrators committed to urban education and high academic achievement who wish to join a dynamic learning community.
Our mission is to create a safe and healthy learning environment that will nurture, motivate and challenge all of our children to achieve the highest level of academic excellence and to develop into mindful, responsible, contributing participants in their education, their community and the diverse society in which we live.
What makes VOICE different?
At VOICE, it’s not just about the music. It’s about the people. It’s about what you can be. It’s about using your passion. It’s about relationships. It’s about having the opportunity to choose. It’s about caring enough. It’s about each individual child. Our teachers, administrators, students and parents support one another in our children’s education and operate as part of a professional learning community that promotes collegiality, shared work, and unending reflection and growth. At VOICE, you will be pushed to become more.
We believe in efficacy. At the core of our academic culture is the idea that all students are capable of doing well in any discipline. At VOICE, all students will learn.
We support and develop the effectiveness of our teachers. We believe that teachers need time to collaborate to build their practice, so we provide them with over two hours of planning time a day as well as additional days for curriculum development and training during the school year.
We promote participation in music and the arts. As music and art help develop problem solving and critical thinking skills and open children’s imaginations, all VOICE students participate in and learn from daily activities in the arts including rigorous choral training. We design our arts-integrated curriculum to bring joy to the lives of our children, providing them with the skills necessary to forge their own path.
All Faculty and Staff at VOICE:
• Love and nurture all of our students as they become deeply caring and responsible individuals;
• Take personal responsibility and work collaboratively to ensure that all students achieve and grow, understanding that the performance and progress of our students is directly under our control;
• Hold themselves to the highest standards;
• Push and support themselves, their students, and their colleagues;
• Proactively seek and incorporate feedback;
• Help each individual child gain the opportunity to choose what his or her future will be.
________________________________________________________________________
Position Responsibilities:
Curriculum and Planning
• Collaborate with colleagues in developing purposeful, rigorous, and engaging daily and long-term plans aligned to standards and in regularly revising these materials
• Create, administer, and analyze meaningful and frequent assessments from which re-teaching is planned
In the Classroom
• Maintain a productive, safe, and disciplined learning environment in which teaching points, process charts, and student work are clearly displayed
• Uphold all school policies within the classroom
• Infuse VOICE values, rigor, and joy into lessons
• Integrate feedback and goal-setting into lesson delivery
• Provide the differentiation and accommodations needed for the growth and success of all students
• Model strong written and verbal skills
• Go above and beyond to ensure that all students are meeting appropriate standards
• Review and comply with the guidelines of students’ IEPs, follow IDEA reporting requirements, and provide information about student performance and services received
Communication and Collaboration
• Fully embrace VOICE’s mission and values and promote them to students, parents, and colleagues
• Collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team coordinating all instructional activities with grade-level teachers, coaches, and other teachers
• Proactively seek assistance or advice when faced with challenging teaching situations
• Maintain positive relationships with and support the learning of all staff members
• Appropriately give and receive feedback to/from students, parents, faculty, staff, and administration
• Keep parents well-informed of student performance and progress
Professionalism and Work Day Expectations
• Fully participate in all school and grade-level meetings, designated school functions outside of school hours, and opportunities for individual and school-wide professional development
Position Qualifications:
Skills and Characteristics
• Deep belief in VOICE’s mission, vision, and values
• Unwavering commitment to the high academic achievement of all students
• Flexibility, exemplary written and verbal communication, and outstanding critical thinking skills
• Willingness to give and receive feedback to facilitate the growth of both students and faculty
• Unwavering humility, perseverance, and kindness
• Willingness to serve as a content specialist in a setting that may include teaching additional subject matter
• Serve as a founding member of a newly established middle school model which is seeking specific expertise in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
• Deep knowledge of and love for literature and writing
Educational Background and Work Experience
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• New York State teaching certification
• Achievement of NCLB “Highly Qualified” status for New York State
Compensation and Benefits: Compensation is competitive and based on experience. VOICE’s starting salary for teachers is above the district average, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package. VOICE is also a participant in the New York State Teachers Retirement System.
How to Apply: Please submit an electronic application (including a VOICE-specific cover letter and resume) at https://voicecharterschool.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.
VOICE Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In its employment decisions, VOICE does not discriminate on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law.