USCS Job Board Announcement

Charter School Teacher: K-8 Organization: SJ Green Charter School and Arthur Ashe Charter Middle School Type of Job: Teacher Grades: Elementary, Middle School Job Description: THE OPPORTUNITY We are looking for teachers who are committed to closing the achievement gap and providing a rich educational experience in two K – 8 non-selective, college preparatory schools in New Orleans. This is a great opportunity for talented teachers to join a small network of charter schools dedicated to providing an outstanding college-preparatory education for all their students by: (*) Ensuring high academic achievement through a rigorous and engaging academic program, with systematic formative assessment and responsive learning support (*) Providing a rich educational experience through strong programs in music, sports and the arts (*) Cultivating a school community that nurtures students’ social and emotional development (*) Providing teachers and staff with quality, on-going professional development opportunities focused on excellent teaching and on the key levers of high performing, non-selective urban schools THE SCHOOLS S. J. Green Charter School S. J. Green Charter School is the post-hurricane incarnation of the long-struggling S. J. Green Middle School. This school had just transitioned into a K-8 charter school two weeks prior to hurricane Katrina. The school reopened on January 9, 2006 and has made significant progress since that time, with increased achievement and attendance along with the establishment of a variety of enrichment programs, including a partnership with the New Orleans Saints and an “edible schoolyard” gardening program in partnership with Chez Panisse Restaurant and its famed chef Alice Waters. We are looking for teachers to join our team of committed educators and build upon this initial progress to take the school to the next level in terms of achievement and quality Arthur Ashe Charter School (formerly New Orleans Charter Middle School) New Orleans Charter Middle School, the city’s first charter school, was founded in 1998 and was for several years the highest performing, open admissions middle school in the city. The school was widely recognized for its innovative educational practices, including a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, strong arts and music programs, and a range of programming to nurture students’ healthy social and emotional development. The original school campus was flooded following hurricane Katrina, and with substantial damage to the campus and fewer students in the city, the school remained closed until September 2007, when it reopened on a new campus and with a new and substantially reduced student body of 48 students in fourth through sixth grades. The school will be converting to a K – 8 school with a corresponding change in the school name to Arthur Ashe Charter School. We are looking for teachers who can help build the primary school program from the ground up. THE EDUCATION LANDSCAPE IN NEW ORLEANS New Orleans offers an unprecedented opportunity to help create a decentralized system of urban schools. Following Hurricane Katrina, local teachers and school leaders have been joined by educators from around the country to create what Walter Isaacson described in Time magazine as “the greatest education lab [in the country].” Many of these educators share a common goal: to create a critical mass of non-selective schools that closes the achievement gap and convincingly demonstrates that it is possible for all students to receive a high quality education. We are looking for talented teachers to join this effort. Qualifications: TEACHER CANDIDATES We are looking for candidates who are: (*) knowledgeable about primary or middle school education and about teaching practices needed to ensure that students in a non-selective urban school setting receive the necessary preparation to succeed in rigorous, college preparatory high school programs (*) skillful in their ability to teach and motivate students, create a nurturing and motivational classroom environment, develop effective curriculum, and regularly assess students’ progress to identify needs. (*) experienced in teaching in a non-selective urban school, with: * at least two years teaching in a non-selective K-8 urban school * demonstrated experience in a student improvement * a master’s degree and/or school leadership certification preferred but not required Salary & Benefits: Salary is competitive based upon experience. All full-time teachers receive a full benefits package, including health and life insurance, dental and vision plans, and retirement.