High School Culinary Arts Teacher Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Since its founding in 2010, Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway, Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our school’s mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically, to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standards, and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual, aesthetic, social, emotional, and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission, Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe, supportive, technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence, authentic field experiences, career counseling, and college coursework.  It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites, and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.

Understanding the Role

You will provide exceptional instruction that affords all students the opportunity to excel academically and meet grade-level standards. You will bring content-specific expertise to instructional planning and delivery in order to equip students with the skills necessary for success in future careers in the food-service and production industry. This teacher will deliver specified instruction in the areas of food safety, commercial production, and culinary arts. Through this role, you will work relentlessly to increase student achievement levels by consistently setting rigorous academic and behavioral goals for students, monitoring progress towards these goals, and adjusting course when necessary. The Culinary Arts Teacher will work to actively build positive and beneficial relationships with parents, guardians, and community members in order to positively impact their students’ academic performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Develops and administers culinary arts curriculum consistent with school district goals and objectives
• Evaluates student progress on a regular basis and prepare progress reports
• Instructs pupils in citizenship, basic communications skills, and other general elements of the course of study common to all teachers, as specified in state law and administrative regulations and procedures of the district
• Provides individual, small, and/or large group instruction, whenever appropriate, in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of pupils with varying intellectual and special abilities
• Instructs pupils in proper care and use of textbooks, equipment, and materials
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to provide an orderly and productive environment
• Selects and requisitions books, instructional materials, equipment, and aids, and maintains required inventory records
• Develops instructional plans and organizes class time to provide a balanced program of instruction
• Develops and maintains professional competence through participation in in-service education activities provided by the district and in self-selected professional growth activities
• Supervises out-of classroom activities for pupils during the assigned working day, as required
• Plans and coordinates the work of aides, teacher assistants, and other paraprofessionals
• Identifies pupil’s needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping pupils solve health, attitude, and learning problems
• Communicates with parents and pupil personnel staff members on the individual pupil’s progress and development
• Provides instruction on the use and development of skills in culinary arts including safe techniques and hospitality and tourism. Instructs students in the use, care, and safe operation of business equipment
• Develops and participates in the sponsorship of student activities and faculty committees
• Acts as a resource person on an interdepartmental level to relate appropriate aspects of his/her subject area to other subject areas
• Works to establish and maintain open lines of communication with students and their parents concerning the academic and behavioral progress of all assigned students

Skills, Qualifications, and/or Competencies Required:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• You possess an exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results
• Strong classroom management skills: you can set high expectations in the classroom and keep scholars engaged
• Classroom presence: you are clear and precise when sharing new content with students and can effectively lead students through inquiry-based class discussions
• Detail-oriented, and highly organized
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, Master’s Degree, preferred
• NYS Teaching Certification in Culinary Careers, or working towards certification
• Certificate of Eligibility in Culinary or related field and/or Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certification
• Current possession or immediate attainment of Food Protection Certificate

Benefits & Compensation

• Employees at Challenge Preparatory Charter School are provided with a generous salary. Our salaries are highly competitive, set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills and experiences relevant to the role.
• As a regular full-time employee of Challenge Prep, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and Paid Family Leave.
• We also offer flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care, and transit.
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round training, and the ongoing coaching by professionals

Salary is based on qualifications and experience.

School Sites

Grades 9-12: 15-20 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Selection Process

Phase I - Virtual Interview with the HR Recruiter 

Phase II - Demo, Panel Interview, and Interview with the Senior Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning 6-12

Final - Reference Check, Offer, and Contract

Work Year

This full-time position begins in mid-August and goes through the end of June.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Challenge Charter School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, particularly in the Far Rockaway area, and committed to educating students. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our relentless work. Challenge Charter School offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Learn more about our mission, team, and the exciting things happening at Challenge by visiting

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.