Elementary School Student Teacher

Position Title: Elementary School Teacher (Third Grade)

Location: New Haven, CT

Reports To: School Principal

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Start Date: Immediate Opening/Hire

Salary Range: $50,500 - $90,000 , commensurate with experience

About Elevate Charter Schools

Elevate Charter Schools (ECS) is a growing charter management organization dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience for students in traditionally underserved and marginalized communities. At Elevate, we believe in the power of education to transform lives, and we are committed to developing the academic potential, character, and social-emotional growth of our students. Our mission is to deliver a rigorous, personalized, and holistic education that equips every child with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in school and beyond.

As we grow, we remain dedicated to cultivating an environment of inclusion, equity, and excellence. Our growing team is motivated by a shared sense of purpose: to offer families in our communities a school choice that empowers students to thrive and reach their full potential in an ever-changing, multicultural world.

Currently operating Booker T. Washington Academy (BTWA) Elementary and Middle Schools in New Haven, CT, we are excited to incrementally expand our reach with future schools and partnerships across the state. Driven by that goal, and guided by our fundamental mission, ECS is motivated by a shared purpose: to offer families in our communities a school choice that empowers students to thrive and reach their full potential in an ever-changing, multicultural world.

For more information about ECS, please visit https://elevatecharters.org

ABOUT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ACADEMY

Booker T. Washington Academies (BTWA) in New Haven, CT, serves K–4 scholars at its Elementary campus and grades 5–8 at its Middle School campus. Founded in 2014 around Booker T. Washington’s credo—“Excellence is doing common things in uncommon ways”—BTWA balances a rigorous academic program with the cultivation of morals, character, self-discipline, responsibility for one’s actions, lifestyle, work ethic, and educational uplift.

Scholars develop proficiency in reading, writing, critical thinking, discussion, and problem-solving to meet college and career goals, while embracing and demonstrating the morals, character, self-discipline, and work ethic to be leaders in life and community.

Recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction in 2018 (Category 1) and again in 2024 (Category 2)—the only New Haven public school honored that year—BTWA equips graduates to work hard, harness the power of education, elevate themselves, and give back to their communities in a transformational way.

For more information about Booker T. Washington Academy, please visit www.btwanewhaven.org

About the Opportunity

Booker T. Washington Academy Elementary School seeks a passionate and mission‑driven Elementary School Teacher (Third Grade) to join our K–4 team. This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who believes deeply in the brilliance of all children, is committed to equity, and is eager to foster a love of learning across multiple subjects in a high‑need, urban setting.

As a BTWA Elementary Teacher (Third Grade), you will:

• Deliver rigorous, standards‑aligned instruction across core subjects (literacy, math, science, and social studies) that builds strong academic foundations.
• Create a joyful, structured classroom culture where students feel safe, supported, and challenged to grow.
• Collaborate with colleagues to refine curriculum, analyze student data, and ensure every scholar is on a path toward long‑term success.
• Partner with families to build strong relationships and shared accountability for student growth.

This role is ideal for an educator who is reflective, growth‑oriented, and eager to contribute to a collaborative, mission‑driven school community.

~~

Key Responsibilities of the Role

As a Elementary School Teacher (Third Grade)at BTWA ES, you will be primarily responsible for:

Instructional Excellence

• Plan and deliver engaging, standards‑aligned lessons across multiple subjects that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and foundational skills.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including English Learners and students with IEPs, ensuring equitable access to grade‑level content.
• Use formative and summative assessments to monitor progress, set student goals, and adjust instruction; empower students to reflect on their own growth.
• Integrate culturally responsive practices and materials that affirm student identities, broaden perspectives, and teach through an explicitly anti‑racist lens.
• Incorporate blended learning and small‑group instruction to personalize learning and accelerate growth.

Classroom Culture & Student Experience

• Establish a structured, inclusive, and joyful classroom environment rooted in high expectations, restorative practices, and mutual respect.
• Build strong relationships with students that foster trust, motivation, resilience, and self‑advocacy.
• Integrate social‑emotional learning into daily instruction and routines, helping students develop empathy, perseverance, and leadership skills.
• Reinforce BTWA’s values of character, responsibility, and excellence in daily practice.

Family & Community Engagement

• Partner proactively with families through regular communication, conferences, and collaborative goal‑setting to ensure shared ownership of student success.
• Be visible in the school community by attending after‑school events (e.g., literacy nights, open houses, community celebrations).
• Collaborate with families to support student learning at home and strengthen the home‑school connection.

Collaboration & Professional Learning

• Participate actively in weekly professional learning communities, coaching cycles, and peer observations to continuously refine practice.
• Collaborate with grade‑level teams to align curriculum, analyze student data, and share best practices.
• Contribute to a positive, high‑performing adult culture that values feedback, reflection, and collective responsibility for student achievement.

Leadership & Contribution Beyond the Classroom

• Take initiative in shaping school culture by leading enrichment opportunities such as clubs, reading groups, or community service projects.
• Serve on committees or contribute to school‑wide initiatives that strengthen academic systems, culture routines, and enrichment experiences.
• Support and facilitate common school routines, including arrival and dismissal, lunch and recess duties, and transitions, ensuring safety, consistency, and a positive school culture.
• Lead a homeroom or advisory setting that fosters authentic relationships, builds community, and supports students’ social‑emotional learning and development.
• Model professionalism, adaptability, and a growth mindset in all aspects of the role, embracing feedback and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges.

~ ~ ~
Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in elementary education or a related field
• Valid teaching certification in Elementary Education (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)
• At least 2–3 years of teaching experience with a strong track record of student achievement
• Ability to create a classroom environment in which students feel safe, supported, and challenged to engage deeply in meaningful work
• Strong sense of reflection and personal accountability for student growth, achievement, and experience
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social‑emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy
• Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and BTWA, including a resolute belief in the potential of every student

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of teaching experience with a proven track record of student achievement
• Experience in an urban, high‑expectations, and/or charter school setting
• Familiarity with early literacy and numeracy development, phonics instruction, and small‑group interventions
• Knowledge of foundational math concepts and experience implementing early math curricula and interventions that build number sense, problem‑solving, and conceptual understanding.
• Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including ELs and students with IEPs
• Familiarity with project‑based learning, inquiry‑driven instruction, or blended learning models

~ ~ ~

Mindsets We Value

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset, a very strong work ethic, an inner drive for excellence and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment

Additionally, we deeply value, and are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate, the following mindsets and beliefs:

• Mission-Driven: You embody the mission and values of ECS and BTWA and hold an unwavering belief in the brilliance, identity, and limitless potential of all students — particularly students of color from extraordinary yet historically underserved communities. You create the conditions for children to discover their strengths, grow with purpose, and thrive as positive contributors and emerging leaders within their communities.
• Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback, are deeply reflective on your personal practices, and are constantly seeking to improve your craft.
• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, solutions-focused, and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.
• Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.
• Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself, and others, to the highest of standards and have a student-centric, “whatever it takes” mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

~ ~ ~

Compensation and Benefits

At Elevate Charter Schools, we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role.

The salary range for the Elementary School Teacher position is $50,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualification aligned to our organizational salary scale, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualification.

In addition to competitive compensation, Elevate offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular, full-time employees at a competitive value.

~ ~ ~

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Mobility: Ability to move around the school building and classrooms, attend meetings, and participate in professional development activities.
• Vision: Clear vision to engage with students and stakeholders in a variety of settings and to monitor classrooms/school environments for student safety and well-being.
• Hearing: Ability to hear conversations and presentations in various settings.
• Communication: Clear speech to effectively communicate with teachers, staff, administrators, and families/caregivers.
• Occasional Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as books and documents), bend or reach to access files or materials, and stand for extended periods during meetings or presentations.
• Stamina: Ability to lead instruction across the school day with sustained energy and focus.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

~ ~ ~

Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Elevate is a non-profit charter management organization serving charter schools in Connecticut's inner cities. Our scholars are 99% Black and brown, and Elevate greatly values inclusion and diversity in our staff.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all stakeholders. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,500.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• How many years of teaching and/or classroom-based youth development experience do you have?
• Do you hold a valid teaching certification or have ability to obtain required certification upon employment (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)?
• Are you located within daily and reliable commutable distance to New Haven/Hamden, CT?
• This role is an immediate hire position. If extended the opportunity to step into this role, when would you be able to start?
• Do you share a deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and BTWA, including a resolute and unshakable belief in the potential of every student to learn, grow and achieve at a high level?
• Do you have experience in an urban, high-expectations school setting (Preferred but not required); Experience in, and/or deep knowledge of the landscape and nuances of, charter schools is a plus.
• [Optional] Is there anything else you would like to share with us at this stage — experiences, skills, or perspectives — that you believe would strengthen your application for this role?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,500 - $90,000