Job Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks , reflecting our dedication to their success. With over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color , we exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusion. We invest deeply in our educators , offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon High School Performing Arts Teachers foster a love for learning in every student. Our Performing Arts program is culturally-responsive, fast-paced, and fun—with plenty of acting, dancing, and singing in every lesson. Teachers cultivate communication skills and build student self-confidence by sharing their expertise in acting and musical theater. We have built a community that encourages respect, hard work, and celebrates our students academic and nonacademic achievements. Our performance based program goal is to train students to express their authentic unique selves with confidence.

Responsibilities

1. Instruction

• You'll create an environment where students feel empowered to express themselves through song, dance, and drama.
• You'll teach enunciation, projection, acting, singing, and movement through our culturally relevant performance based program.
• You'll collaborate with fellow performing arts teachers to further develop a network-wide curriculum. 
• You'll teach Uncommon Schools performing arts curriculum which involves music, acting, and movement.
• You'll design, direct, and produce multiple school productions annually which includes communicating with outside vendors and the internal Operations team. 

2. Producing

• You'll direct annual productions that enhance and reflect school culture.
• You'll create or order costumes, production sets, and props when needed.
• You'll craft production elements such as lights, sound, and set. 

3. School Culture and Daily School Activities

• You’ll support weekly morning circles and community meetings to celebrate student accomplishments and increase school spirit.
• You’ll source artistic material from your unique student populations to inform the development of your performing arts content. 
• You’ll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard. 
• You’ll partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their child's learning needs.
• You'll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.

Qualifications

• A commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting students’ social emotional and academic development
• A belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core values and educational philosophy.
• An enthusiasm for collaborating with internal and external partners in the best interest of students
• A self-directed learner who solicits and implements feedback to improve outcomes and achieve objectives
• A passion for musical theatre (singing, acting, and dancing) and an ability to provide individual and small group instruction
• Required Experience:
  • A minimum of 2 years of combined experience as a performer, producer, playwriter, director and/or technical support. 
  • Prior to the start of employment, you must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Certification is not required to be hired at Uncommon, but you do need to meet NY state certification eligibility requirements. To meet these requirements, you must enroll in a teacher preparation program and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher during your employment with us if you do not have a degree in education. Uncommon Schools teachers are required to become certified in the state of New York within a reasonable period after beginning employment.

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $72,000 to $115,000. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant full-time teaching experience, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Candidates without full-time Teaching experience will likely have a starting salary of $72,000. 

* The range above represents our compensation scales for the 2025-2026 school year. If starting prior to June 30th, 2025, compensation will be based on a slightly lower range, reflective of current compensation scales. New hires who fall into this category will see an increase in their compensation starting on July 1st, 2025 for next school year which aligns to the scale above.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE .

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.

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