In order to fulfill its mission, WCHS is looking for exceptional teachers. Our teachers play very critical roles in realizing the core mission, philosophy, and unique youth-centered approach to the school's educational design. WCHS teachers are not just classroom teachers, but school teachers-educators that are committed to facilitating the entire learning and instructional process and coaching young people to become independent learners, thinkers, and researchers.
Current Openings : Living Environment, Earth Science and Special Education Science Teacher)
Prospective Williamsburg Charter High School Teachers :
- Are committed to the idea that every child can succeed at high levels
- Believe that they have been called to teach and empower young people
- Demonstrate a commitment to providing students with a rigorous academic experience
- Are resilient, resourceful, relentless, and well-able to adapt to the many changes that can happen in an organization focused solely on doing what is best for students
- Excel at working in a highly collaborative, professional setting but can also work independently
- Understand the unique needs of the community they serve as well as the complex issues that affect urban youth and their families
- Are committed to inquiry-based teaching
- Engage a youth development approach in their interactions with young people by being sensitive to their developmental needs
- Are passionate and positive about school culture
- Feel full responsibility for students' achievement
- Love the details and realize that student success depends almost exclusively on them
- Are reflective and willing to improve upon their practice through professional development and support
- Effectively manage their time, resources, and technology
- Are convinced of the transformative power of education for all students, families, and educators
Position Description
The ideal Williamsburg Charter High School teacher will provide our students with rigorous instruction. They will be responsible for the following :
Teacher as Advisor
As students transition to high school, one of the things they could lose is the comfort of having a teacher who understands their background, challenges, and successes. Research has shown that this relationship is a key part of having students feel accounted for and by extension, accountable. In support of our students, our teachers are also Advisors to between 12-15 students for the duration of their high school career. This allows the teacher to become a part of the developmental process of their students and allows each family to have primary contact within the school at all times. Advisors serve students and families by :
Taking complete ownership of the academic, behavioral, and overall success of a group of 12-15 studentsEnsuring advisees are in attendance, punctual, excelling in all their classes, and seeking out appropriate supportCreating an advisory period that acts as a home base for each studentBeing the academic expert on each adviseeActing as the liaise between the student, the family, and the school teamsTeaching the advisory curriculum that has been created for their advisees' gradeAccompanying advisees on educational field trips as determined by the School LeaderContacting their advisee's families a minimum of seven times a year and responding within 24 hours to all communications from their advisee's familiesDeveloping and overseeing Individual Student Support Plan plans twice a year for each of their adviseesFacilitating discipline-related required meetings on behalf of their adviseesPerforming any other advisor-related duties as requestedEnsuring Student Learning Through Data-driven Instruction :
Prepare rigorous, student-centered lesson plans that will engage and motivate students to learnPlan standards-based units of study with clear, intended outcomes and goals in mindProvide meaningful feedback on student work to determine student progress and to make suggestions for improvementProactively and relentlessly seek new ways to promote student learningCreate thoughtful, standards-based assessmentsWork closely with school leaders and colleagues, using data to drive instruction and by extension, consistently raising student achievement and intervening with improvement plans and support for struggling studentsHave fun and pass the love of learning on to students!Design opportunities for students to use the world around them as a classroom through field trips and or / inviting guests into the classroom as appropriateHold students to high behavioral and academic expectations and support students to succeedModel professional and collegial behavior for studentsEngage in the process of collaborative evaluation with school leadersEnsure that students are well-prepared for all New York State exams and WCHS interim assessmentsPersonal Commitment to On-Going Learning
Participate in all assemblies, meetings, school-sponsored events, and professional development activities offered during or after work hoursParticipate in focus groups, evaluations, and committees as requested to assist with the constant improvement of the school as a wholeParticipate and support WCHS's open-door classroom policy, allowing parents and teachers, and other stakeholders to informally observe your work and actively seeking to observe the work of your colleagues for professional developmentPositively Contributing to Student and Teacher Culture
Arrive at school no later than 7 : 55 AM (to ensure that the classroom is clean, supplies are prepared and the instructor is ready to receive students) and leave no earlier than 3 : 10 PM (to hold necessary interventions, hold office hours, attend school meetings, and to ensure that students that need extra help are able to receive it). Even with these times parameters in mind, we ultimately seek educators that will simply do whatever it takes and will work relentlessly to ensure each student's learning is maximizedTeach four class periods per school dayServe two periods of School Service per week as determined by his / her supervisor (e.g., Study Hall supervision, cafeteria duty, hallway duty, monitoring of student entry and exit, etc.)Cover at least five periods per semester for absent teachersProactively involve the student's family in their learning through regular communications including (but not limited to) : weekly informal communication via emails, notes, telephone calls, and meetingsRealize that although student achievement is central to our work, Williamsburg Charter High School graduates are not just academically well-prepared, but also good citizens of their community. The cornerstone of our ideology is based on providing students with life skills and a sense of responsibility to their community in addition to an excellent educationShare expertise and curriculum with colleaguesRespond to all school-related communications within 24 hours, including but not limited to voicemails and emails, from Williamsburg Charter High School faculty and staff (including supervisors and other teachers)Attend and participate in school-related activities and events outside of normal school hours (e.g., Parent Advisory meetings, Back-to-School Night, field trips, student events, and performances, etc.)Adhere to the WCHS Student Handbook, Teacher Handbook, Personnel Policies, and Instructional ManualEducation and Credentials :
Bachelor's degreeAt least two years of experience teaching in an urban high school settingNew York State certification, Gr 7-12New York State Department of Education Fingerprint clearanceCOVID-19;All employees are required to wear face covering, as well as maintain at least three feet of distance. Vaccinations are required.
