Middle School STEM Teacher (NYC)

About Ascend 

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K–12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

To learn more about Ascend, visit our website: https://www.ascendlearning.org/about/

About the Role

Ascend Middle School STEM Teachers are passionate educators who bring curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking to the center of classroom learning. You will help students make sense of the world around them by guiding them through rich investigations, hands-on experiences, and rigorous scientific thinking.

Our STEM program emphasizes inquiry, student discourse, problem-solving, and real-world application. Students explore big ideas in life science, earth science, and physical science through a blend of experiments, modeling, data analysis, and collaborative work. Teachers play a key role in fostering scientific literacy and supporting students’ ability to question, analyze, and communicate their ideas with confidence.

At Ascend, teaching is a craft that is continuously developed, supported, and celebrated. Our educators benefit from ongoing coaching, practice-based professional development, and pathways to grow as instructional experts and leaders. You will work alongside colleagues who communicate consistently, share ownership for student success, and hold one another accountable to the highest standards of professionalism and purpose. 

If you are energized by the chance to deepen your instructional practice, partner with students and families, and drive meaningful impact for children, you will find a strong professional community at Ascend.

Responsibilities

Instructional Excellence

• Plan and deliver rigorous, standards-aligned lessons using Ascend’s curriculum, pacing guides, and instructional expectations.
• Execute lessons that actively engage students, check for understanding, and adjust instruction in real time.
• Use formative and summative assessment data to identify learning gaps and provide targeted support.
• Maintain strong instructional routines that maximize learning time and promote student ownership.

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Data-Driven Instruction

• Analyze student work, lab reports, and assessment data with instructional leaders to identify trends and plan responsive instruction.
• Differentiate learning experiences, scaffold supports, and design extensions to meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Use data to track student progress and adjust instruction to ensure all students meet rigorous academic expectations.

School Culture & Community

• Establish and maintain a classroom culture rooted in consistency, care, and high expectations.
• Implement clear routines, transitions, and behavior systems aligned to school-wide expectations.
• Build trust-based relationships with students and families through regular, proactive communication.
• Partner with families to support student learning, development, and well-being.
• Complete required administrative tasks such as lesson planning, grading, data entry, and documentation with accuracy and timeliness.
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail in daily work.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; a Master’s degree and teaching certification are preferred.
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing educational equity and a track record of making a meaningful impact on K-8 students, ideally in communities similar to those served by Ascend.
• Classroom experience; ideal for early-career educators (1 - 2 years of experience) or career changers who are passionate about student success and instructional excellence.
• Strong instructional expertise, including the ability to create structured, engaging, and student-centered classroom environments. 
• Proficiency and ability to leverage instructional technology and data analysis to drive student learning and growth. 
• Commitment to fostering students’ academic and social-emotional development through high expectations and meaningful relationships.
• Proactive and disciplined approach to seeking and applying feedback to elevate instructional practice and drive measurable student achievement.

Compensation

Salary Range: starting at $69,500, based on Ascend’s equitable compensation scale.

Starting pay is determined using various factors, including but not limited to:

• Years of relevant full-time teaching experience
• Education certifications and licensure
• Advanced degrees
• Alignment with Ascend’s compensation philosophy and internal equity guidelines

This is a full-time, exempt position offering:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off and employee benefits
• Ongoing coaching, professional development, and career growth opportunities, including onboarding training, weekly PD, and 4 weeks of intensive summer training