Enrichment & Innovation Teacher | Middle School | ECPA (Specials: Flexible Subject)
1 day ago
New Haven
Job Description:\n\nPosition Title: Middle School Specials / Enrichment Teacher (Flexible Subject) Location: New Haven, CT Reports To: School Principal Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt Start Date: SY26-27 Salary Range: $50,000 - $90,000 , commensurate with experience About Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is New Haven’s first dedicated middle school for young men. Our mission is to develop resourceful, resilient, and responsible young men who think critically, lead ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. ECPA provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters mastery of learning while preparing students to navigate real-world choices with confidence and integrity. Through exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, leadership development, and hands-on learning opportunities, our young men cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in high school, college, and beyond. For more information about ECPA, please visit www.edmondscofieldprep.org About the Opportunity Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men seeks a creative, mission‑aligned Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher to help build a dynamic enrichment program for grades 5–7. As Connecticut’s first all‑boys public charter school, ECPA is still in its founding years, with a small but growing community of young men and a staff committed to building strong routines, meaningful relationships, and a school culture designed specifically for boys. As we expand grade levels and deepen our identity, you’ll help shape the traditions, systems, and learning experiences that will define the school for years to come — bringing your subject‑area expertise to an enrichment program that sparks curiosity, builds skills, and gives students meaningful avenues for self‑expression. This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who believes deeply in the intellectual and creative potential of boys, is committed to equity, and is eager to design engaging learning experiences in a school community that is still writing its story. As the ECPA Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher, you will: Deliver engaging, standards‑aligned instruction in your area of expertise — whether world languages, theater/drama, technology and innovation, financial literacy and entrepreneurialism, health/life skills, or another enrichment discipline. Create a joyful, inclusive classroom culture where young men feel safe to explore, take risks, and develop confidence as learners and creators. Design foundational curriculum, routines, and structures for your discipline, helping establish an enrichment program that will grow as ECPA expands to serve grades 5–8. Collaborate with colleagues to integrate enrichment learning across disciplines and contribute to a vibrant, values‑driven school culture during these critical founding years. Partner with families and the community to showcase student growth, celebrate learning, and make enrichment a visible, celebrated part of ECPA’s identity. This role is ideal for an educator who is reflective, resourceful, and energized by the possibilities of a founding school. Someone who is passionate about supporting and developing young men, believes in their brilliance, and is excited to shape a program that will influence hundreds of students as ECPA grows to serve grades 5–8. ~~~ Key Responsibilities of the Role As a Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (Flexible Subject) at ECPA, you will be primarily responsible for: Instructional Excellence Design and deliver engaging, standards‑aligned lessons in your enrichment discipline that build foundational skills, creativity, and confidence. Foster exploration and risk‑taking while developing technical skills, critical thinking, and appreciation for diverse perspectives. Differentiate instruction to support varied developmental levels and learning needs, including English Learners and students with IEPs, ensuring equitable access to enrichment learning. Use portfolios, performance tasks, rubrics, and student reflections to assess growth and encourage self‑evaluation and pride in learning. Integrate culturally responsive materials and practices that affirm student identities, celebrate global traditions, and teach through an explicitly anti‑racist lens. Collaborate with classroom teachers to support interdisciplinary learning and integrate enrichment into core academic subjects. Classroom Culture & Student Experience Create a joyful, inclusive, and organized learning environment where students feel safe to explore, express, and take risks. Build strong relationships with students that foster trust, motivation, and a sense of belonging. Incorporate social‑emotional learning into enrichment practice, helping students develop empathy, perseverance, and confidence. Reinforce BTWA’s values of character, responsibility, and excellence through collaborative projects, routines, and classroom norms. Family & Community Engagement Partner proactively with families through regular communication and collaborative goal‑setting to support student growth. Organize and lead school‑wide enrichment events, showcases, or performances that celebrate student learning and build community pride. Collaborate with families to support enrichment exploration at home and strengthen the home‑school connection. Collaboration & Professional Learning Participate actively in weekly professional learning communities, coaching cycles, and peer observations to continuously refine practice. Collaborate with grade‑level teams and specialists to align curriculum, share best practices, and support interdisciplinary projects. Contribute to a positive, high‑performing adult culture that values feedback, reflection, and collective responsibility for student achievement. Leadership & Contribution Beyond the Classroom Lead enrichment opportunities such as clubs, performances, showcases, or community projects that extend learning beyond the classroom. Support and facilitate common school routines, including arrival and dismissal, lunch and recess duties, and transitions, ensuring safety, consistency, and a positive school culture. Lead a homeroom or advisory setting that fosters authentic relationships, builds community, and supports students’ social‑emotional learning and development. Help design and implement school‑wide systems, rituals, and traditions — including opportunities for student performance, exhibitions, and public demonstrations of learning — that build a strong, affirming school identity. Take initiative on school‑wide projects and lead efforts to elevate the role of enrichment in ECPA's holistic educational model, demonstrating flexibility, innovation, and ownership in a dynamic school environment while modeling professionalism, adaptability, and a growth mindset.~ ~ ~ Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences: Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher Valid teaching certification in an enrichment discipline or Elementary Education with an enrichment endorsement (CT certification or eligibility for reciprocity required) At least 2–3 years of teaching experience with a strong track record of student engagement and growth Ability to create a classroom environment in which students feel safe, supported, and inspired to explore creatively Strong sense of reflection and personal accountability for student growth, achievement, and experience Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, youth development, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and culturally responsive pedagogy Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and BTWA, including a resolute belief in the potential of every student Preferred Qualifications 3+ years of teaching experience with a proven track record of student achievement Experience in an urban, high-expectations, and/or charter school setting Familiarity with elementary visual arts curricula, interdisciplinary planning, and arts integration strategies Experience differentiating instruction for diverse learners, including ELs and students with IEPs Familiarity with project‑based learning, inquiry‑driven instruction, or blended learning models Experience organizing student exhibitions, performances, or community arts initiatives Experience leveraging the arts to support early literacy, numeracy, and other forms of developmentally relevant and appropriate interdisciplinary learning. ~~~ Mindsets We Value Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset, a very strong work ethic, an inner drive for excellence and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment Additionally, we deeply value, and are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate, the following mindsets and beliefs: Mission-Driven: In addition to deeply aligning and embodying the mission and values of ECS and ECPA, you believe in the brilliance and promise of all students, particularly students of color, and want to be part of their success story. Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback, are deeply reflective on your personal practices, and are constantly seeking to improve your craft. Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, solutions-focused, and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up. Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success. Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself, and others, to the highest of standards and have a student-centric, “whatever it takes” mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive. ~ ~ ~ Compensation and Benefits At Elevate Charter Schools, we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. The salary range for the Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (Flexible Subject) position is $50,500 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualification aligned to our organizational salary scale, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualification. In addition to competitive compensation, Elevate offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular, full-time employees at a competitive value. ~ ~ ~ Physical Requirements This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodation: Mobility: Ability to move around the school building and classrooms, attend meetings, and participate in professional development activities. Vision: Clear vision to engage with students and stakeholders in a variety of settings and to monitor classrooms/school environments for student safety and well-being. Hearing: Ability to hear conversations and presentations in various settings. Communication: Clear speech to effectively communicate with teachers, staff, administrators, and families/caregivers. Occasional Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as books and documents), bend or reach to access files or materials, and stand for extended periods during meetings or presentations. Stamina: Ability to lead instruction across the school day with sustained energy and focus. Elevate Charter Schools is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elevate is a non‑profit charter management organization serving public charter schools in Connecticut’s urban communities. Our scholars are 99% Black and Brown, and Elevate deeply values inclusion, representation, and diversity across our staff. Elevate Charter Schools is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all stakeholders. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve. If you have questions about the application process, experience any challenges, or need support completing your application, please reach out to our talent team at talent@elevatecharters.org. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.