Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

North Star Academy currently manages fourteen schools in Newark, NJ serving students in grades K through 12. We believe in strong authentic relationships between teachers and students, supported by effective school systems and an engaging instructional model that enables students to flourish academically and personally. North Star Academy is NJ's #1 highest performing public charter school and has served Newark families for over 20 years.

Job Description

Performing arts teachers at Uncommon Schools train communication skill through musical theatre. They hold responsibility for the implementation of Uncommon Schools’ performing arts curriculum and the success of its students. This performance-based program, which teaches during the school day, ensures that students perform multiple times annually. 

Our Performing Arts Mission Statement: Uncommon NSA-CP Performing Arts team is an inclusive collective of anti-racist artist activists, dedicated to closing the opportunity gap by training confident communicators through theatre, music, and dance. By building a comprehensive communication toolkit, scholars will be able to express their authentic voices with confidence, seize opportunity, choose their own path and become agents of change. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Performing Arts teacher’s responsibilities fall under 3 categories: teaching, producing theatrical and community events and supporting/building the school culture. 

Teaching: 

• Teach Uncommon School’s Performing Arts musical theatre curriculum which involves music, acting and movement (at Uncommon Schools much of this curriculum is already planned and written, so teacher is responsible to implement it, or select from show options depending on show) 

• Implement curricula and activities to meet grade level performing arts standards 

• Collaborate with our Performing Arts Team in curriculum development process. 

Producing: 

• Direct and produce school productions annually ( can include: Community Circle, Latinx & Hispanic Show, Black History Show, Spring Musical and Moving Up Ceremony for every grade level annually) 

• Adapt scripts annually. 

• Create or order costumes, sets, props when needed, assign costumes/adapt annually. 

• Supervise and craft production elements such as lights, sound, set. 

School Culture and Daily School Activities: 

• Produce and oversee the school’s Community Circle. This involves organizing all traffic patterns, chants, cheers, drummers, mascots, flags, working with principal to rehearse and prepare all students. 

• Oversee breakfast for students daily, greeting students, visitors and assisting with the start of the day. 

• Assisting around the school when not teaching if needed 

• Share responsibility for grade-level and school-wide activities 

• Commit to continual professional growth, participating actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings if requested 

• Participate in an annual three-week staff orientation and training in August 

Writing: 

• Crafting new performance content pieces with PA team and Dean to add to shows, sharing across program. 

• Supporting with creation of curriculum materials to be shared across program.

Qualifications

• Musical theater skills (singing, acting and moving) and ability to model all 3 content areas. 

• Some production skills preferred such as producing, playwriting, directing, or technical support. 

• Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player. 

• Bachelor’s degree is required with GPA 3.0 or higher. 

• Professional experience on stage is preferred. 

• Strong desire to teach in an Uncommon Schools setting 

• Willingness to teach using Uncommon teaching methods is required. 

• Valid NJ Certification is helpful but not required. 

• Belief in and alignment with Uncommon Schools’ core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.

Additional Information

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in Newark is between $59,000 to $83,000.  The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.  Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members. 

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • New Jersey Pension program
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial  planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

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.