Detroit Achievement Academy exists to provide a world-class, equitable education that will give a diverse group of students a foundation of academic excellence and character development while fostering a love of learning and passion for exploring and fulfilling their extraordinary potential as learners, leaders, and world-changers.

POSITION GOALS: UPPER SCHOOL CREW LEADER (ELA OR MATH TEACHER, GRADES 5-8)

“We believe that when a student is done with school and enters adult life, she will be judged for the rest of her life not by her performance on tests of basic skills, but by the quality of her work and the quality of her character.” - Ron Berger, Chief Academic Officer, EL Education

We measure student and adult crew success along three dimensions of achievement: culture & character development, mastery of knowledge and skills, and high quality work. Our schools value, encourage, and require a constant cycle of inquiry toward this success with the following overarching goals for all teachers:

• Culture & Character: Teachers create and nurture a positive, inclusive, and responsive learning environment.
• Mastery of Knowledge and Skills: Teachers engage students in rigorous, inspiring content that aligns with appropriate national and state standards for excellence.
• High Quality Work: Teachers inspire a love of learning and passion for exploring that leads to high quality work through intentional expeditions, units, and lessons.
• Cycle of Inquiry: Teachers constantly gather, analyze, and act on qualitative and quantitative data to plan units and lessons that drive toward the three dimensions of student achievement and build student ownership of learning.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated middle school teacher to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for teaching and a commitment to supporting the academic and social-emotional growth of middle school students. This position is available for either English Language Arts (ELA) or Mathematics, depending on the candidate's expertise and qualifications. As an upper school (middle school) teacher, you will be responsible for planning and delivering engaging lessons, assessing student progress, and fostering a positive learning environment conducive to student success. The hours for this position are 7:45am - 4:00pm daily in accordance with the district calendar. Some hours may vary throughout the school year for Student-Led Conferences or Professional Development as requested by school administration or district leadership. This position reports directly to the Director of Upper School.

WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK AT DETROIT ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY

• Our work is active. We learn by doing and getting our hands dirty. Students are scientists, urban planners, historians, and activists, investigating real community problems and collaborating with peers to develop creative, actionable solutions. Adults are active guides of student learning and active members of their professional learning community.
• Our work is inclusive and equitable. Students and adults celebrate the diverse backgrounds of their peers. School leaders work to recruit and attract a population of families and faculty that represents different socio-economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Our work is excellent. Students at all levels are pushed and supported to do more than they think they can. Excellence is expected in the quality of their work and thinking. School leaders, teachers, students, and families share rigorous expectations for quality work, achievement, and behavior.
• Our work is reflective. Students and adults reflect as they triumph and as they stumble. Students and adults offer direct and sensitive feedback to their peers. Trust, respect, responsibility, and joy in learning permeate the school culture.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Curriculum Development and Lesson Planning:
• Develop and implement comprehensive lesson plans that align with grade-level standards and objectives.
• Create engaging and differentiated learning activities that cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of middle school students.
• Integrate technology, literature, and real-world examples to enhance the relevance and depth of instruction.
• Classroom Instruction:
• Deliver clear and dynamic instruction in either ELA or Math concepts, depending on the subject area.
• Utilize a variety of teaching strategies and instructional methods to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where all students feel valued, respected, and motivated to learn.
• Assessment and Progress Monitoring:
• Assess student understanding and mastery of subject matter through formative and summative assessments.
• Analyze assessment data to identify student strengths and areas for improvement, and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to students to support their academic growth and achievement.
• Classroom Management:
• Establish and maintain a positive and orderly classroom environment conducive to learning.
• Implement effective classroom management strategies to promote student engagement, participation, and cooperation.
• Enforce classroom rules and expectations consistently and fairly, while also fostering a culture of mutual respect and accountability.
• Parent and Community Communication:
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding students' progress, performance, and behavior.
• Collaborate with parents/guardians to support students' learning at home and address any concerns or questions.
• Participate in parent-teacher conferences, school events, and community outreach activities as needed.
• Professional Development:
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities to enhance teaching skills and stay current with best practices in education.
• Collaborate with colleagues to share resources, ideas, and instructional strategies for improving teaching and learning.
• Engage in reflective practice to evaluate and continuously improve teaching effectiveness.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive base salary
• Generous health, dental, and vision benefits
• Employer contributions to staff retirement plans
• Up to $500 annually in reimbursable Wellness Funds
• Reimbursement for continuing education or student loan assistance, up to $3,000 annually
• Childcare support reimbursement, up to $1,500 annually
• $0 (employer-paid) healthcare coverage option for individuals and their families
• Weekly professional development with more than 250 professional development hours each year

QUALIFICATIONS

• Belief in the potential of all students to achieve at high levels across three dimensions and become leaders of their own learning
• Commitment to and desire for continuously improving personal practice and school culture through rigorous coaching and professional development
• Proven ability to contribute to and collaborate with a high-performing team toward high, equitable achievement for all students
• Outstanding emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical and organizational skills
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Michigan teaching certificate (current or in progress) with appropriate content endorsement

APPLICATION

To apply, submit a cover letter and response to the three below questions to: careers@detroitachievement.org

1) Why do you want to work at Detroit Achievement Academy?

2) What grade level and/or content area do you prefer? Why?

3) What's your experience working in schools or with children?

4) What are your professional goals?

Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep are dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to gender, age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or disability. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds. This Organization participates in E-Verify. Esta Organización participa en E-Verify.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $81,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• 5th grade

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

School subjects:

• English
• Math

School type:

• Charter school
• Public school

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Michigan Teaching License (Preferred)
• Teaching Certificate w Content Endorsement (ELA or Math) (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Detroit, MI 48235 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Detroit, MI 48235: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person