VOICE Charter School (http://www.voicecharterschool.org/) is an elementary and middle school located in Long Island City, Queens that serves about 650 students across grades K-8. We are located just minutes from Manhattan (two stops outside of Manhattan on the F, N, and W train lines) and Long Island City’s growing waterfront district, thriving arts community, and rapid residential growth. We are looking to identify extraordinary educators and administrators committed to urban education who wish to join a dynamic professional learning community. Our mission is to create a safe and healthy learning environment that will nurture, motivate and challenge all of our children to achieve the highest level of academic excellence and to develop into mindful, responsible, contributing participants in their education, their community and the diverse society in which we live. What makes VOICE different? At VOICE, it’s not just about the music. It’s about the people. It’s about what you can be. It’s about using your passion. It’s about relationships. It’s about having the opportunity to choose. It’s about caring enough. It’s about each individual child and adult. We believe in efficacy. At the core of our academic culture is the idea that all students are capable of doing well in any discipline. At VOICE, all students will learn – being smart is not something that you are, it is something you become. At VOICE, you will be pushed to become more. We support and develop the effectiveness of our teachers. We believe that teachers need time to collaborate to build their practice, so we provide our team with over two hours of planning time a day as well as additional days for collaborative thought partnership and planning during the school year. We promote participation in music and the arts. As music and art help develop problem solving and critical thinking skills and open children's imaginations, all VOICE students participate in and learn from daily activities in the arts including rigorous choral training. We design our arts-integrated curriculum to bring joy and wonder to the lives of our children, providing them with the skills necessary to forge their own path. All Staff at VOICE:Love and nurture all of our students as they become deeply caring and responsible individuals;Take personal responsibility and work collaboratively to ensure that all students achieve and grow, understanding that the performance and progress of our students is directly under our control;Ask questions and empower students to exercise curiosity and wonder about the world around them;Hold themselves to the highest standards;Push and support themselves, their students, and their colleagues;Proactively seek and incorporate feedback;Help each individual child gain the opportunity to choose what his or her future will be.________________________________________________________________________ Position Responsibilities: The Middle School Science Teacher works to foster excitement and curiosity in students (grades 6-8) for how the physical world works. S/he provides students with a safe and healthy learning environment that will nurture, motivate and challenge all children to achieve the highest level of academic excellence and to develop into mindful, responsible, contributing participants in their education and communities. Curriculum and PlanningLearn content and skills as detailed in curriculum support materials (e.g. teacher guides), VOICE framework for teaching, as well as Common Core or other related standardsCollaborate with colleagues in developing purposeful, rigorous, and engaging daily and long-term plans aligned to standards, and in regularly revising these materialsSubmit necessary curriculum documents (e.g. scope and sequence, curriculum maps, lesson plans, reteach plans, intellectual preparation documents) as requestedCreate, administer, and analyze meaningful and frequent assessments from which reteaches are plannedMaintain the necessary records of student progress toward academic goals; meet deadlines for submitting data to other departments In the ClassroomMaintain a productive, safe, and disciplined learning environment in which classroom values, teaching points, process charts, and student work are clearly displayedMaximize instruction time by keeping the flow of classroom activities moving smoothly and efficiently throughout the dayUphold all school policies within the classroomInfuse VOICE values, rigor, and joy into lessonsIntegrate feedback and goal-setting into lesson deliveryProvide the differentiation and accommodations needed for the growth and success of all students; go above and beyond to ensure that all students are meeting appropriate standardsModel strong written and verbal skillsInvest time in knowing students and demonstrate an active interest in their well-being; use kind, firm body language to convey authority and careReview and comply with guidelines of students’ IEPs, follow IDEA reporting requirements, and provide information about student performance and services received Communication and CollaborationFully embrace VOICE’s mission and values and promote them to students, parents, and colleaguesCollaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team coordinating all instructional activities with teachers, assistants, and instructional leadersProactively seek assistance or advice when faced with challenging teaching situations;Maintain positive relationships with and support the learning of all staff membersAppropriately give and receive feedback to/from students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrationKeep families well-informed of student performance and progressProvide feedback and guidance to classroom assistants Professionalism and Work Day ExpectationsFully participate in all school and grade-level meetings, designated school functions outside of school hours, and opportunities for individual and school-wide professional developmentMeet expectations including punctuality and professionalism in conversation and in writing; consistently meet deadlines and communicate frequently and appropriately on progress on projects and goals.Reflect on professional practice through self-analysis and engagement in informal and formal feedback processes Position Qualifications: Attitude and FocusUnwavering humility, patience, and kindnessProfessional demeanor with the ability to influence and facilitate decision-making among multiple, diverse partiesPerseverance to create clarity while allowing for complexity and nuanceOpenness to work collaboratively to solve problemsHigh sense of urgency, demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment, and ability to be self-directed and take initiativeOrganized and systems drivenFastidious and attentive to detail Skills and KnowledgeDeep belief in VOICE’s mission, vision, and valuesBasic principles of curriculum designChild learning theory and behavioral approachesDifferentiation strategies (conferencing; small group work); basic understanding of English as a Second Language and Special Education approaches and proceduresElements of effective classroom environment and managementFamiliarity with the American Museum of Natural History, or other museums/ institutions such as the Hall of Science, Liberty Science Center, etc.Analyzing data using defined but different processes in order to inform student progressAbility to adapt to changing work prioritiesAbility to maintain confidentiality; exhibit tact and patienceBuilding strong and effective collegial relationships as part of a team, including but not limited to co-teachers and grade teams; be able to effectively manage an assistantBuilding individual relationships with students and maintaining a kind, firm voice and body languageBuilding effective sequential long-term lesson plans and mastery-oriented short term lesson plansMaintaining high academic expectations through purposeful building of thinking skills, standards-aligned independent practice, questioning and discussion techniques, high standards for language and evidence, and structured support for studentsCommunicating effectively and frequently with familiesReflecting on own practice and implementing action steps; embodying VOICE values in everyday interactions and work productsUsing time efficiently; prioritizing tasks appropriately; meeting deadlinesAbility to come up with create and meaningful examples in your instructionAbility to use different methods to explain difficult to understand concepts Educational Background and Work ExperienceBachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university requiredNew York State teaching certification required [VOICE will consider only candidates that are either (a) already fully certified at time of application, or (b) on track to become fully certified by the first day of employment] OR exceptional scientific experience requiredCompletion of at least 30 course credits in biology, earth science, physics, and/or chemistry requiredExperience with and interest in working with high needs students preferredExperience with state test preparation or supervision preferredPassion for science disciplines (science coursework in college or graduate school) preferred [Please note: All offers of employment are contingent upon the employee meeting all prerequisite job qualifications by the first day of employment.] Compensation and Benefits: Compensation is competitive and based on experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including participation in a pre-tax commuter benefits program and partial reimbursement for monthly commuting expenses, gym reimbursement, cultural enrichment reimbursements, participation in the Teachers Retirement System pension program, frequent access to baked goods, and many opportunities to get to know your VOICE colleagues! How to Apply: Please submit an electronic application (including a VOICE-specific cover letter and resume) at https://voicecharterschool.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx VOICE Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In its employment decisions, VOICE does not discriminate on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, unemployment status, or any other status protected by law.