Enrichment & Innovation Teacher | Elementary School | BTWA ES
elevate-charter-schools · New Haven, Connecticut, United States · onsite
USD 50,500 to 90,000 · period not stated
Position Title: Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (Full-Time Specials; Flexible Subject) | Elementary School | BTWA ES
Location: New Haven, CT
Reports To: School Principal
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Start Date: SY26-27 (Immediate Opening / Hire)
Salary Range: $50,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience
About Booker T. Washington Academy
Booker T. Washington Academies (BTWA) in New Haven, CT, serves K–4 scholars at its Elementary campus and grades 5–8 at its Middle School campus. Founded in 2014 around Booker T. Washington’s credo—“Excellence is doing common things in uncommon ways”—BTWA balances a rigorous academic program with the cultivation of morals, character, self-discipline, responsibility for one’s actions, lifestyle, work ethic, and educational uplift.
Scholars develop proficiency in reading, writing, critical thinking, discussion, and problem-solving to meet college and career goals, while embracing and demonstrating the morals, character, self-discipline, and work ethic to be leaders in life and community.
Recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction in 2018 (Category 1) and again in 2024 (Category 2)—the only New Haven public school honored that year—BTWA equips graduates to work hard, harness the power of education, elevate themselves, and give back to their communities in a transformational way.
For more information about Booker T. Washington Academy, please visit www.btwanewhaven.org http://www.btwanewhaven.org
About the Opportunity
Booker T. Washington Academy Middle School seeks a passionate and mission‑driven Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (flexible subject area; e.g., Visual Arts, World Languages, Theater / Drama, Technology & Innovation, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurialism, Health / Life Skills, MakerSpace, STEAM Lab, etc.) to join our K–4 Elementary School team. This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who believes deeply in the creative and intellectual potential of all children, is committed to equity, and is eager to foster curiosity, skill development, and self‑expression through enrichment learning in an amazing, yet historically underserved, urban school community.
As a BTWA ES Enrichment & Innovation Teacher, you will:
- Deliver engaging, standards‑aligned instruction in your area of expertise (e.g., SEL, visual arts, music, performing arts, technology, world languages, MakerSpace/STEAM Lab, or other enrichment disciplines).
- Create a joyful, inclusive classroom culture where students feel safe to explore, take risks, and celebrate their identities.
- Collaborate with colleagues to integrate enrichment learning across disciplines and contribute to a vibrant school culture.
- Partner with families and the community to showcase student growth and celebrate enrichment learning.
This role is ideal for an educator who is reflective, imaginative, and eager to contribute to a collaborative, mission‑driven school community that values enrichment as central to educating the whole child.
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Key Responsibilities of the Role
As an Elementary School Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (FT Specials Teacher: Flexible Subject) at BTWA ES, 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 BTWA’s holistic educational model, demonstrating flexibility, innovation, and ownership in a dynamic school environment while modeling professionalism, adaptability, and a growth mindset.
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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 elemen