High School Earth Science Teacher (26 - 27 SY)

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

The Earth Science Teacher reports to the Principal. He/she is expected to help students with the study of Earth Science. The teacher is responsible for preparing lesson plans, instructing his/her students on the composition structure, properties of matter, and educating students at all levels. The Earth Science Teacher must be able to instruct in a variety of subjects and reach students with engaging lesson plans. They show students the right ways to examine how materials interact with each other and with energy. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Your job duties and responsibilities include providing instruction about geology, nature, the environment, meteorology, oceans and bodies of water, and other related subjects. An Earth Science teacher may perform research. Develop daily lessons aligned with the CPCS curriculum in collaboration with leadership team members. The Earth Science Teacher instructs his/her students on the composition, structure, and properties of matter. They show students the right ways to examine how materials interact — with each other and with energy. ...Teach high school level science and lab classes using lectures, technology, and hands-on learning experiences

Job Responsilibilities

• Design, test, and supervise weekly laboratory experiments relevant to the current lessons being taught in class
• Ensure students understand and follow all safety rules for laboratory experiments and are aware of the proper actions to take during accidents and emergencies
• Assign and evaluate all coursework, submit grades, and maintain contact with parents regarding student performance
• Work to ensure all students are well prepared for state exams and meet school and state goals for student competency
• Maintain strict records of student attendance, participation, homework, lab work, and test results
• Plan and supervise at least one field trip per school year, obtaining parental permission for all students involved and ensuring student safety when outside the school
• Attend parent-teacher conferences each semester and have detailed evaluations ready to share for all students
• Prepare demonstrations; Assist and supervise students while conducting experiments
• Evaluate student performance on tasks established by the standards using different methods such as observation, performance-based tasks, or other standard test practices
• Establish classroom and lab rules and regulations
• Uphold high academic and behavioral expectations for students
• Participate actively in coaching and professional development programming
• Assist with school programming as needed during non-instructional time

Skills, Qualifications, and/or Competencies Required:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree  preferred
• NYS Certification in the appropriate content area
• Dually licensed preferred; content area and ESL or Special Education
• Highly motivated to teach students from underserved areas and devoted to closing the achievement gap2 years of teaching experience in an urban school setting preferred
• The ability to create a classroom setting where students of every academic level experience enjoyment, engagement, and enthusiasm in their learning
• Strong teamwork ethic
• Ability to use data to drive instruction
• The ability to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported,d and challenged
• Passion and commitment to teaching scholars in underserved areas and to closing the achievement gap
• Relentless drive to set and achieve ambitious goals
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
• Growth mindset and the ability to use feedback to improve practice
• Experience teaching in underserved areas is a plus

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Paid Time Off
• 403b plan with a matching 3% contribution
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account

The salary offer is based on year(s) of classroom teaching experience, educational requirements, and NYSED certification. 

Work Year 

This is a full-time twelve-month position. 

School Sites

Grades K-1: 1279 Redfern Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 2-5: 710 Hartman Lane, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 

Grades 6-8: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Grades 9-12: 1520 Central Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Recruitment Process

Phase I -  Phone interview with a member of the recruitment team  

Phase II - In-person Interview with feedback from the Middle/High School Leadership Team

Phase III - Final Interview with the Principal (9-12) and Senior Director

Phase IV - Reference Checks

Final - Offer with a tentative start date

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.