High School Living Environment Science Teacher (26 - 27 SY)

Who We Are

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school’s mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework.  It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

Understanding the Role

The Living Environments Teacher reports to the Principal. The teacher is expected to support students in the study of Living Environments by delivering instruction that builds understanding of life science concepts. The position includes preparing and implementing lesson plans, providing instruction in core content areas such as the structure and function of living organisms, ecosystems, and the flow of matter and energy, as well as delivering meaningful learning experiences for students at all levels.

The Living Environments Teacher must be able to teach effectively across a range of related science topics and use engaging, student-centered strategies to ensure all learners are reached. The teacher guides students in conducting investigations and applying scientific methods to examine how organisms interact with each other and with their environment, and how matter and energy move through living systems.

• Your job duties and responsibilities include providing instruction about Living Environments, including ecosystems, life processes, organism interactions, and environmental influences on living things, as well as other related science topics connected to the Living Environments curriculum. A Living Environments teacher may perform research.

  Develop daily lessons aligned with the CPCS curriculum in collaboration with leadership team members. The Living Environments Teacher instructs his/her students on the structure, function, and processes of living organisms, and how matter and energy move through living systems. They show students the right ways to examine how living organisms interact with one another and with their environments, using safe, inquiry-based investigations.

  …Teach high school level science and lab classes using lectures, technology, and hands-on learning experiences.

  Job Responsibilities

  • Design, test, and supervise weekly laboratory experiments relevant to the current lessons being taught in class.
  • Ensure students understand and follow all safety rules for laboratory experiments and are aware of the proper actions to take during accidents and emergencies.
  • Assign and evaluate all coursework, submit grades, and maintain contact with parents regarding student performance.
  • Work to ensure all students are well prepared for state exams and meet school and state goals for student competency.
  • Maintain strict records of student attendance, participation, homework, lab work, and test results.
  • Plan and supervise at least one field trip per school year, obtaining parental permission for all students involved and ensuring student safety when outside the school.
  • Attend parent-teacher conferences each semester and have detailed evaluations ready to share for all students.
  • Prepare demonstrations; assist and supervise students while conducting experiments.
  • Evaluate student performance on tasks established by the standards using different methods such as observation, performance-based tasks, or other standard test practices.
  • Establish classroom and lab rules and regulations.
  • Uphold high academic and behavioral expectations for students.
  • Participate actively in coaching and professional development programming.
  • Assist with school programming as needed during non-instructional time.

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree  preferred
• NYS Certification in the appropriate content area
• Dually licensed preferred; content area and ESL or Special Education
• Highly motivated to teach students from underserved areas and devoted to closing the achievement gap2 years of teaching experience in an urban school setting preferred
• The ability to create a classroom setting where students of every academic level experience enjoyment, engagement, and enthusiasm in their learning
• Strong teamwork ethic
• Ability to use data to drive instruction
• The ability to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported,d and challenged
• Passion and commitment to teaching scholars in underserved areas and to closing the achievement gap
• Relentless drive to set and achieve ambitious goals
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
• Growth mindset and the ability to use feedback to improve practice
• Experience teaching in underserved areas is a plus

• Competitive Salary
• Paid Time Off
• 403b plan with a matching 3% contribution
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account

Work Year 

This is a full-time twelve-month position. 

School Sites

Grades K-1: 1279 Redfern Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 2-5: 710 Hartman Lane, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 

Grades 6-8: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 9-12: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Recruitment Process

Phase I -  Phone interview with a member of the recruitment team  

Phase II - In-person Interview with feedback from the Middle/High School Leadership Team

Phase III - Final Interview with the Principal (9-12) and Senior Director

Phase IV - Reference Checks

Final - Offer with a tentative start date

Salary : $62,000 - $95,000