SY 26-27 High School Chemistry 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.
About the Role
Brooklyn Ascend High School seeks a High School Chemistry Teacher to deliver rigorous, Regents-aligned instruction grounded in scientific reasoning, quantitative precision, and laboratory inquiry.
Chemistry is a cornerstone of the 9–12 STEM pathway and prepares scholars for advanced coursework and AP-level laboratory science. This role builds scholars’ understanding of atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, and equilibrium through disciplined inquiry and real-world application.
The Chemistry teacher contributes to a department culture that prioritizes intellectual seriousness, data-driven practice, and public demonstration of learning.
Core Responsibilities
Instructional Excellence
- Teach Chemistry aligned to New York State Regents standards.
- Design rigorous lessons that emphasize conceptual mastery and mathematical fluency.
- Prepare scholars for the Regents Examination in Chemistry with strong performance outcomes.
- Integrate laboratory investigations that deepen scientific reasoning and experimental design skills.
- Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners while maintaining high expectations.
Culminating Experience & Public Demonstration
- Lead scholars in completing the Chemistry in the World Project.
- Guide students in investigating real-world applications such as environmental chemistry, materials science, or pharmacology.
- Support scholars in preparing research posters and written reports for presentation at the annual STEM Showcase.
Data & Professional Practice
- Participate in weekly STEM data meetings focused on scholar progress and instructional planning.
- Analyze Regents benchmarks and internal assessments to identify trends and intervention needs.
- Engage fully in observation and feedback cycles.
- Implement coaching feedback with urgency and professionalism.
- Contribute to department-wide curriculum calibration and vertical coherence.
Culture & Scholar Development
- Maintain a structured, orderly, and intellectually serious classroom environment.
- Partner with the Dean of Culture & Community to reinforce scholar accountability and consistency.
- Serve as an advisor as assigned, supporting scholar identity, academic planning, and post-secondary preparation.
- Model professionalism, discipline, and commitment to excellence.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related scientific field.
- Valid New York State certification in Chemistry or General Science 7–12.
- Demonstrated content mastery in high school Chemistry.
Preferred
- 2+ years of secondary teaching experience.
- Demonstrated success with Regents Chemistry outcomes.
- Experience integrating laboratory-based instruction.
- Experience in a college-preparatory or charter school setting.
Leadership Profile
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Deep content expertise and analytical precision
- High expectations for scholar achievement
- Comfort using data to drive instruction
- Receptiveness to coaching and feedback
- Commitment to disciplined adult collaboration
- Alignment to Ascend’s belief that rigor and belonging are inseparable
Compensation
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Typical salary range for experienced high school STEM teachers in NYC charter networks starts at $80,000 depending on certification and demonstrated outcomes.
Location
Brooklyn, NY
This is a full-time, in-person role requiring daily presence on campus and participation in school-wide programming and faculty collaboration.
This is a full-time, exempt position that offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
- Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits