Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Position(s): Kindergarten Classroom Teacher

Reports To: Principal

Compensation: Very competitive and commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package and extensive professional development opportunities are also available.

Status: Full Time

Works Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45AM - 4:00PM

FLSA Status: Exempt

Join our Team!!

We are seeking a Classroom Teacher to plan, organize and implement an appropriate instructional program in a school learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential. Work is performed under the supervision of the Principal and the Teacher will work closely with School Leadership, students, teachers, and parents.

About Merrick Academy

Merrick Academy is one of the first charter schools to open in New York City and the first to open (2000) in Queens. With a rich history and deep roots in the local community, Merrick Academy is an all-inclusive, independent Charter School with approximately 600 students in grades K-5 and a faculty and staff of 90. Queens’ first charter school, Merrick, has been educating children for over 20 years. Merrick Academy is a STEAM-based school cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry amongst all learners in an environment that provides extensive whole-child support based on ensuring equity and empowerment for all learners through effective and innovative approaches to teaching and learning fostered by a world-class faculty.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

Deliver instruction in MATH, ELA, Social Studies and Science that is aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

Incorporate short-response, open-ended, and constructed response questions weekly to facilitate scholars’ application of their knowledge. Integrate reading and writing into all subject areas.

• Learn about the cultural backgrounds of your scholars and incorporate it into the classroom culture and lesson plans.
  
• Use assessments for measuring student progress on a regular basis.
  
• Make cross-curricular connections among subject areas.
  
• Incorporate the relationship between the teacher, the student, and the curriculum. Teach the curriculum as it aligns with the standards of the school.
  
• Differentiate instruction for all students especially for students with special needs.
  
• Prepare for class daily while creating and maintaining a warm and inclusive classroom environment.
  
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with students and their families, focusing on how to align school and home life around continued student growth and success.
  
• Engage in and support new initiatives, including the use of blended learning, project-based learning
  
• Supervise the health, safety, and welfare of students at all times. Bring all significant information relevant to health, safety and welfare to the immediate attention of the Principal.
  
• Utilize all avenues to incorporate past lessons, the performance standards, and staff development sessions to design and deliver outstanding lessons.
  
• Design additional remediation for students falling behind in any aspect of the curriculum. Identify students with specific issues and work with the Principal and school-based staff developers to address their needs.
  
• Work with Special Education Teachers/Coordinator(s). Work with specialists contracted to service students with special needs inside the classroom, as they pull students aside or out for specific services.
  
• Manage administration of the classroom, including marking daily attendance and lateness, checking notebooks, checking homework, making photocopies, displaying student work, completing meal tracking forms, helping to maintain a clean physical classroom environment, as well as any other administrative aspect of teaching.
  
• Organize classroom - including materials, and visual aids in an educationally appropriate way
  
• Record each student�s progress through both monitoring forms and marking books. Prepare progress reports (3 times per year) and report cards (4 times per year) and arrange and conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences (3 times per year).
  
• Attend, contribute and listen effectively in meetings and conferences
  
• Interact with students in a firm, positive and constructive way always
  
• Engage in conversation and behavior that uplifts and guides children
  
• Recognize and encourage positive behavior
  

Non-Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintains professional competence by attending staff development programs, curriculum development meetings and other professional activities.
  
• Participates in various student and family activities which occur in school including PTO, student clubs and after-school activities.
  
• Knowledgeable of several technology platforms such as google (etc; google doc., and google classroom), zoom and etc;
  
• Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or other appropriate school leader
  

Qualifications & Behavioral Competencies

• Bachelor�s Degree in Education or related field required; Master�s Degree preferred
  
• Minimum of 2 years classroom teaching experience
  
• Knowledgeable on the Danielson Aligned Lesson Plan Template
  
• Able to interact with colleagues, parents, students, and visitors professionally
  
• New York State Certification in subject area
  
• Strong instructional and classroom management skills
  
• Demonstrated mastery and enthusiasm for content knowledge
  
• Strong organization, planning, and time management skills
  
• Professional and friendly demeanor and the ability to communicate successfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds
  
• Computer proficiency using email services and Microsoft Office
  
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
  
• Ability to learn quickly and thrive in a fast-paced environment
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to think and act strategically
  
• Passion for contributing to a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
  
• Open to feedback and committed to continuously improving
  
• Knowledgeable of Fundations; I-Ready; Dibels; Fountas and Pinell, Wit and Wisdom; Eureka
  

Americans with Disability Specifications

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

I acknowledge that:

I have read and understand the responsibilities and qualifications required to successfully perform this job. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual in this position. This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed and it is not an exhaustive list of all knowledge, skills or abilities required. There may be additional duties as assigned and the employee must follow any job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

This description excludes the marginal functions incident to the performance of this job’s fundamental duties. All essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $58,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
  
• 401(k) matching
  
• Dental insurance
  
• Employee assistance program
  
• Flexible spending account
  
• Health insurance
  
• Health savings account
  
• Life insurance
  
• Paid time off
  
• Parental leave
  
• Professional development assistance
  
• Retirement plan
  
• Tuition reimbursement
  
• Vision insurance
  

Ability to Commute:

• Queens, NY 11413 (Preferred)
  

Ability to Relocate:

• Queens, NY 11413: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
  

Work Location: In person