2024-2025 General Education Elementary Teacher (Queens)

Mission Statement: The Growing Up Green Charter School (GUGCS) supports children to be conscious, contributing members of their community through a rigorous, anti-racist, anti-bias, curriculum and engaging green culture. Graduates of GUGCS will be prepared to attend high-performing schools where their interdisciplinary academic foundation, knowledge of sustainability, and strong sense of self sets them apart as leaders and social justice advocates of the future.

School Culture: GUGCS teaches students our school culture through our core values: Social Justice, Collaboration, Courage, and Kindness. Students are taught the core values through assemblies, class meetings, and various lessons.

Classroom Teacher Responsibilities:

• Use the Responsive Classroom model for community-building and behavior management strategies such as Morning Meeting, Quiet Time & Closing Circle
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners
• Adhere to subject-specific grade-wide pacing calendars
• Maintain organized records of anecdotal notes and assessments
• Use data collected on assessments to modify unit plans, inform groupings, and to support student referrals
• Participate in grade team and curricular planning meetings
• Create and maintain an engaging and organized physical classroom environment, making learning accessible to all students
• Establish and maintain ongoing positive relationships with families
• Actively participate in the school community through bi-weekly staff meetings, PD opportunities, staff committees, school events, etc.
• Work with an instructional coach on specific goals throughout the year
• Respond productively to ongoing, year-round professional feedback
• Work closely with the Special Education department (learning specialists, interventionists, service providers) to best support student learning
• Use weekly lesson plans to help drive instruction in a clear manner
• Demonstrate commitment to working with diverse populations of families and students, including those at risk

Curriculum and Instruction

• Implement GUGCS curricular programs as determined by our Curriculum Coaches in ELA, Math Explore & Discover time (social studies)
• Implement GUGCS curricular programs as well as units written in-house
• Collaborate with grade team and coordinators to write rich, integrated units of study
• Adhere to grade-level pacing calendars
• Participate in grade-level team and curricular planning meetings
• Use daily or weekly lesson plans to help drive instruction
• Differentiate instruction in meaningful ways to support student learning
• Work closely with the Special Education department (learning specialists, interventionists, service providers)
• Collaborate with the Special Education and Counseling department to help meet the needs of all students
• Understand and implement interventions recommended for students as outlined by an IEP, support services, or the counseling department

Assessment

• Maintain organized records of anecdotal notes and assessments
• Administer formal and informal assessments throughout the school year (examples: Fountas & Pinnell running records, conferencing, end-of-unit rubrics, student portfolios, etc.)
• Use assessment data to modify unit plans, inform groupings, and support student referrals
• Use assessment data to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners
• Share data systems with classroom teachers as necessary

Parent and Community Engagement

• Establish and maintain ongoing positive relationships with families
• As necessary communicate social, emotional, and academic success and concerns with families
• Encourage our “open door” classroom design, inviting families to regularly be a part of classroom activities

Related Professional Responsibilities

• Actively help establish and participate in the school community through weekly staff meetings, PD opportunities, staff committees, school events, etc.
• Fulfill duties, responsibilities, and commitments as outlined in the GUGCS faculty handbook
• Work with an instructional coach on specific goals throughout the year
• Respond productively to ongoing, year-round professional feedback
• Assume any other duties from time to time as delegated by the Executive Director and/or the School Leader (note: The Executive Director and/or the School Leader may make any adjustment in the scope of responsibilities as outlined above which will be in the interest of Growing Up Green)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to Growing Up Green Charter School's Mission & Vision
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team of teachers and administrators
• Knowledge of Responsive Classroom and/or Developmental Designs
• Experience in environmental education a plus
• Ability in integrating technology into teaching
• Excellent organizational skills
• Starting salary is $61,070. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience as lead teacher in a K-12 setting and levels of attained education

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master's Degree preferred
• Teaching experience in elementary school grades preferred

Required Certificates & Licenses:

• NY Teaching Certification
• NYC DOE/Fingerprinting & Background Clearance