Job Description

Join Our Mission at Uncommon Schools!

At Uncommon Schools , we are more than just a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools; we are a community dedicated to transforming the lives of students in economically disadvantaged areas. With schools in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are on a mission to close the college completion gap and prepare every student for a successful future. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, a testament to our commitment to their success. We believe in investing deeply in our educators, providing 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!

Your Role: Special Education Teacher

As a Special Education Teacher at Uncommon Schools, you will play a vital role in developing and monitoring accommodations for students with special needs. Your passion for advocacy and specialized instruction will help increase academic achievement and provide essential support—academic, emotional, and physical—while maintaining high expectations for all students.

Key Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• Modify, differentiate, and teach an inclusive curriculum that celebrates diversity.
• Collaborate with families and Special Education teams to create 504 and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that ensure appropriate accommodations.
• Foster an inclusive and safe environment where students feel empowered to become self-guided learners.

2. Special Education Specific Responsibilities

• Work alongside general education teachers, school leaders, and families to analyze student work samples and assessments, ensuring compliance with IEPs.
• Gather academic growth data and set goals in preparation for annual IEP meetings.
• Provide pull-out, push-in, small group, and one-on-one instruction, implementing strategies to differentiate learning for all students.

3. School Culture

• Build positive relationships with students, ensuring they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• Partner with families to provide the necessary resources to support their child’s learning needs.
• Engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• Participate in weekly school-wide meetings to cultivate community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• Collaborate with your grade-level team to develop academic goals and refine instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social, emotional, and academic development.
• An enthusiasm for collaboration with internal and external partners in the best interest of students.
• A self-directed learner who actively seeks and implements feedback to improve outcomes.
• Required Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience impacting K-12 students in urban schools and communities preferred.
  • Academic expertise in Special Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM, or related fields.
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Teacher certification is not a prerequisite for consideration in NJ, but candidates must meet state certification eligibility requirements.

Why Join Us?

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the health, wellness, and financial stability of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity and fairness, aiming to attract and retain top talent.

Compensation

The salary for this role ranges from $56,000 to $80,000 , determined by factors such as relevant teaching experience, educational certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time teaching experience will likely start at $56,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, plus pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health savings accounts (HSA).
• Financial planning options, including the New Jersey Pension program.
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• Mental health and counseling support, along with wellness benefits.

*A detailed list of all benefits is available upon request.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects 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 Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type. We ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and in performing core job functions.

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