College Seminar Teacher

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering 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!

The College Seminar Teacher is responsible for the implementation of Uncommon’s college seminar curriculum. The College Seminar Teacher will teach freshmen and sophomores with the goal of students building a stronger sense of purpose, a college-going mindset, and a tool kit of strong high school habits to ensure their academic and personal success. The College Seminar Teacher will also support the college office and assist with other college and school-wide initiatives as needed.

The College Seminar Teacher role is a great opportunity for an experienced academic teacher who may be interested in transitioning to a College Counselor position. If successful in this role, the College Seminar Teacher may be considered for a College Counseling position in the subsequent school year if there is an opening.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement College Seminar 9 and 10 curricula and activities to meet our high academic standards
• Build a college-going culture and mindset in our 9th and 10th grade students through effective implementation of curriculum, motivation, and inspiration
• Focus constantly on student learning, thinking critically and strategically to respond to student learning needs
• Create a positive, structured learning environment to ensure that students observe the school’s core values, high expectations, and code of conduct
• Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues
• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in our annual, three-week staff orientation training in August and instructional training throughout the school year
• Support with operations and administrative tasks in the college office, as directed by the Director of College Counseling, College Team and school leaders
• Provide school-wide coverage and perform other whole-school teacher duties as needed

Strong applicants will possess the following:

• Relentless drive to improve the minds, characters & lives of students both in and out of school
• Unwavering commitment to urban youth achieving greatness
• Enthusiasm for supporting youth to develop a stronger sense of purpose and identity
• Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is a must
• Evidence of self-motivation, willingness to be a team player, and a strong sense of personal responsibility
• Ability and desire to implement feedback from school leaders and colleagues to become a more effective educator in service to our students
• A background in education is not required, but strong candidates should show a demonstrated passion for working with high school students and prior experience working in schools and/or urban communities is preferred
  • Required experience:
    • Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher by the time employment begins. You do not need to be certified to be hired; however, if hired you will need to pass state teacher certification tests to meet the MA state requirements.
    • Candidates must embody a passion for empowering students and helping them discover their purpose; knowledge of college prep is a plus but not a requirement.

Our people are what make us Uncommon.We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application
At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $71,000 to $116,000.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $71,000.

Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).

• Extensive, best-in-class training and development

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)

• Financial Planning

  • Pension through Mass. Teachers Retirement System

  • 403(b) retirement savings program

• Transit Commuter Benefit with employer subsidy toward eligible transit expenses

• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)

• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of 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 provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].