Middle School Enrichment / Innovation Teacher (Art Teacher or Flexible Subject)

Position Title: Founding Middle School Enrichment Teacher

Location: New Haven, CT

Reports To: School Principal

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Start Date: SY25-26 (launching in August with onboarding in July)

Salary Range: $50,000 - $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 thrilled to partner with Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men by leading the search for their Founding Team!

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

ABOUT EDMONDS COFIELD PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is New Haven’s first dedicated middle school for young men. Our mission is to develop resourceful, resilient, and responsible young men who think critically, lead ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. ECPA provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters mastery of learning while preparing students to navigate real-world choices with confidence and integrity. Through exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, leadership development, and hands-on learning opportunities, our young men cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in high school, college, and beyond.

For more information about EC Prep, please visit: https://www.edmondscofieldprep.org

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and mission-aligned Founding Middle School Enrichment Teacher to join our founding team at ECPA. This unique position offers the opportunity to shape an innovative enrichment course aligned to your area of expertise—whether in Art, Dance, Theater/Drama, Technology, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, or another compelling discipline.

As a founding year teacher, you will work closely with school leadership to design and implement a program that not only engages students but also fosters identity development, critical thinking, creativity, and confidence. The ideal candidate will be excited by the challenge of building something from the ground up, passionate about empowering young men through their discipline, and driven by the belief that enrichment education plays a vital role in holistic student development.

We are particularly interested in educators who bring high standards for excellence, a deep understanding of culturally responsive instruction, and the vision to make their subject matter relevant and transformative in the lives of young men.

This is a rare opportunity for high-quality, experienced and entrepreneurial educators who want to shape an innovative school community and make a lasting impact on the lives of young men in New Haven, CT.

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Key Responsibilities

As a Founding Year Enrichment Teacher (Art of Flexible Subject), you will be primarily responsible for:

Excellence and High-Impact Enrichment Instruction

• Design and refine a year-long scope and sequence and unit plans aligned to your enrichment area and school-wide learning goals.
• Develop and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate enrichment lessons in your area of expertise (e.g., Art, Dance, Theater, Technology, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, etc.) that promote creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression.
• Use your subject to foster identity development, personal confidence, and real-world skill building in young men.
• Create a safe, affirming, and inclusive classroom culture that encourages creative expression, collaboration, and personal growth.
• Implement strong classroom management practices that promote student ownership, self-discipline, and community accountability.
• Maintain high expectations for student achievement, behavior, and character.
• Differentiate instruction to support diverse learners, including students with varying needs, backgrounds, and learning profiles.
• Monitor student progress, maintain relevant assessment data, and adjust instruction to ensure mastery and growth in both content and character development.

Culture and Community Leadership

• Establish a structured, joyful, and inclusive classroom environment where students feel seen, challenged, and celebrated.
• Inspire students to take pride in their growth, creative work, and contributions to the school community.
• Reinforce EC Prep’s values, character development model, and identity as a school for young men through your content and pedagogy.
• Collaborate with staff to build a strong school culture and contribute to events, showcases, and performances that engage families and celebrate student talent.
• Lead or support enrichment-based extracurriculars, clubs, or school-wide initiatives connected to your area of expertise.

Collaboration and Professional Growth

• Actively participate in professional development, collaborative planning, and coaching opportunities aligned to school-wide and content-specific goals.
• Partner with academic teachers and support staff to identify cross-curricular connections that deepen student learning and engagement.
• Seek and apply feedback in pursuit of continuous growth, and contribute to a high-performing, mission-driven team culture.
• Adapt lessons and materials to align with EC Prep’s academic calendar, daily schedule, and broader student experience.

Founding Leadership Responsibilities

• Help design and implement school-wide systems, rituals, and traditions that build a strong, affirming school identity.
• Demonstrate flexibility, innovation, and ownership in a dynamic start-up environment.
• Take initiative on school-wide projects and lead efforts to elevate the role of enrichment in EC Prep’s holistic educational model.
• Build new school-wide traditions by integrating opportunities for student performance, exhibitions, or public demonstration of learning when possible.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

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

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Art Education, Performing Arts, Business Education, Computer Science, etc.)
• Valid teaching certification in the subject area or the ability to obtain certification upon employment (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)
• At least 2–3 years of successful teaching experience, preferably in a middle school or enrichment context
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver high-quality, culturally responsive curriculum
• Passion for working with young men and deep alignment with EC Prep’s mission and values
• Strong classroom management and an ability to create a structured, joyful learning environment
• Creativity, initiative, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications

• ​​5 years of teaching experience in a high-expectations urban or charter school setting
• Experience launching or expanding an enrichment program within a school setting
• Ability to integrate project-based learning, real-world application, or community partnerships into the curriculum
• Background in more than one enrichment area (e.g., art and technology)
• Experience in founding or start-up school environments is highly preferred

Mindsets We Value

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset, a strong work ethic, and an inner drive for excellence—and will thrive in an entrepreneurial, student-centered environment.

We are especially looking for educators who demonstrate:

• Mission-Driven: You believe deeply in the brilliance and potential of all students, particularly young men of color, and want to be part of their success story.
• Growth-Oriented: You embrace feedback and view every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, resourceful, and excited by the challenge of building something new.
• Collaborative: You value teamwork and believe that we are stronger together.
• Committed to Excellence: You hold yourself and others to the highest standards and model the habits of success, all in the best interest of students.

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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 Founding Middle School Enrichment Teacher position is $50,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualification, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications.

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 throughout the classroom and school building regularly.
• Vision & Hearing: Ability to observe and monitor student behavior and engagement, and respond to visual and auditory cues.
• Dexterity: Ability to manage instructional materials, demonstrate techniques, and support student activities.
• Stamina: Capacity to lead classes and supervise students across a full school day.

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

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you located in Connecticut and within daily, reliable, commuting distance to New Haven?
• If extended the opportunity to step into this role, when would you be able to start?
• For this Founding Year Enrichment & Innovation Teaching role we are looking for a educator who is adept at teaching Art and/or another compelling discipline. If offered an opportunity to step into this role, what specific enrichment subject would you teach?
• Do you hold a valid teaching certification in that subject or have ability to obtain required certification upon employment? (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required)
• Do you share a deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and EC Prep, 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.
• Do you have experience (or a specific interest in/passion for) teaching in a single-gender and/or founding school environment?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $50,000 - $90,000