Middle School Social Studies Teacher 2023-2024

At Foundation Academies, we promise to equip our scholars to excel in learning and empower them to lead purpose-filled lives. Whether working in a classroom or support role, every member of our learning community is making a real difference in the lives of Black and Brown children. If you believe every child deserves a quality education regardless of zip code, we encourage you to read on.
We're looking for a dedicated and talented Social Studies Teacher to become part of our Middle School team!
You are the champion of education and the one who sets the foundation (pun intended) for learning! Amongst the essential functions of a teacher, your first job is to get scholars excited to learn. When you are a teacher here at Foundation Academies, you are showing up authentically, opening the doors of curiosity and possibility, and setting the expectation for our scholars to believe and do the work.
Competencies and Responsibilities
Learner Mindset

• Continuously improve your professional practice through weekly coaching sessions, professional development, and collaborative, data-driven reflection with department and grade-level teams.
• A desire to engage in and promote productive struggle

Student Achievement

• Use data to plan, teach, and assess mastery of academic skills
• Provide instruction that is culturally responsive and culturally sustaining
• Collaborate with necessary stakeholders to ensure all students are learning in accordance with the requirements of their needs, learning plans and/or accommodations.

Creating a Conducive School and Classroom Learning Environment

• Consistently and routinely, throughout the class, ensures class runs systematically, smoothly, and instructional time is maximized
• Consistently and routinely, throughout the class, utilizes positive reinforcement as a proactive measure to reinforce and recognize positive behavior and build community that helps learners feel valued and connected with the teacher and their peers
• Consistently and routinely look to provide equitable solutions based thinking in the establishment of positive school and classroom culture

Organization and Planning

• Create or Engage in whole-school events and tasks, including transitions, family conferences, tutoring, and other activities/duties as needed and assigned by school leadership.
• Execute curriculum Uses backwards planning to deliver rigorous and standards aligned instruction

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Establish rapport with learners and families to create on-going informal opportunities to engage and collaborate on the success of the learners.
• The ability to communicate in various forms with stakeholders in an emotionally intelligent manner that builds trust, community, and assists in meeting our established goals.

Personal and Professional Responsibility

• Models the core values by having a caring disposition and meeting all commitments; doing their part in keeping the community safe by adhering to the established practices and protocols.
• Participate in school, departmental and parent events and meetings
• Work closely with students, families and colleagues to create an environment that is supportive of student progress
• Investing time in the community as a stakeholder and participating in community events.

In exchange for your dedication, here are just some of the compensation and benefits we offer:
The salary for this position, which depends on prior work experience and our assessment of your fit for the role, will likely be between $60,500 - $90,000. Every teacher is credited for each year of their teaching experience as a certified teacher here at FA up to 13 years.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefit plans
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount
• Independent, conflict-free, financial wellness advising through Spring Financial
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular professional development and coaching
• Career advancement opportunities
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based work laptop computer
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

Your schedule will be Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:15pm.
Qualifications

• You preferably have 2+ years working in an urban or low-income setting and you understand how to get your students excited about learning.
• You are committed to living out our mission.
• You possess or are eligible for NJ certification inSocial Studies
• You have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (if graduated after Sept 2015) or 2.75 (before Sept 2015) for certification requirements

Did you know that research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications? Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If most of the job description applies to you, we encourage you to apply.
Supporting/Additional Documents Requested

• Semifinalist candidates will be required to provide unofficial transcripts, evidence of certification/eligibility, and 3 professional references.
• Hired candidates are responsible for the following: official transcripts, criminal clearance (fingerprinting), and medical clearance (TB/Mantoux testing) as required by NJDOE.

Want to join our FAmily?
We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey's largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation's finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We serve more than 1,000 of the city's K-12 population across four schools on two campuses. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability.
Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that's what our families deserve.
We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly's Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.