Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Assistant Principal of College and Career, the Public Speaking Teacher (College and Career Readiness Teacher) is a reliable team player with a commitment to youth development. They will play a key role in implementing DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child model by driving college and career readiness.
- Teach Studio 9 and Studio 10, DREAM's college and career readiness course for 9th and 10th grades, through the facilitation of a public-speaking focused college and career readiness curriculum;
- Develop students' verbal communication, presentation, argumentation, storytelling, and leadership skills, guiding students in developing and delivering speeches, presentations, debates, panel discussions, and professional presentations;
- Incorporate real-world speaking opportunities that connect to college, career, civic engagement, and leadership contexts, strengthening students' confidence, audience awareness, organization, and delivery techniques;
- Help students understand the role of communication skills across a wide range of careers and industries;
- Utilize data-driven instruction to drive student SEL and college and career readiness outcomes;
- Manage student completion of key college and career readiness milestones, including: resume, career interest inventories, applications to summer opportunities, etc.
- Lead the project management of student presentations to staff and other students, and provide 1:1 student support, as needed;
- Collaborate with school leaders to drive the 10th Grade Defense of Learning student portfolios and presentations;
- Supervise and manage individual youth behavior at all times using positive student culture techniques and proactive interventions to ensure the positive classroom environment;
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with students, families, and grade teams;
- Track, monitor, and assume responsibility for the academic progress for all students in the classroom;
- Actively prepare for and participate in all meetings (such as grade team meetings, Student Support Meetings, IEP Meetings, etc.), collaborative planning, and professional development including an annual summer institute;
- Work with Student Culture Team and Student Support Team to create and progress monitor individual plans for students, as needed;
- Build a warm and inclusive classroom environment and abide by school-wide practices for classroom management and individual behavior plans;
- Work with grade team, leadership team, and related service providers to analyze data, revise practices, norm on team-wide initiatives, and discuss individual scholars with a solutions-oriented mindset;
- Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree, required;
- At least two years of teaching experience, required;
- Experience with competitive speech and debate or teaching or coaching public speaking, debate, or performance in a high school setting, strongly preferred;
- Experience providing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and/or college and career supports for youth;
- Experience collecting data and implementing data-driven practices;
- Strong group facilitation skills and the ability to manage behaviors using positive youth development principles (experience with restorative justice practices strongly preferred);
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Excellent organizational and problem solving skills;
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
We offer comprehensive benefits including:
- Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment
- Referral bonuses;
- School-based 10-month employees have approximately 40 days off throughout the school year, including holidays, school breaks, personal days and wellness days, in addition to summer break;
- Benefits are subject to change.
- The salary range for incoming teachers is $75,000 to $100,000. New teacher salaries are determined based on the number of years of experience as a teacher.
- Additional compensation is added for incoming teachers with Master's degrees and NYS Special Education certifications.
- Teachers are eligible for annual salary increases based on tenure and performance; salaries for teachers who continue on at DREAM can exceed the incoming teacher band above.
- DREAM is committed to upholding highly competitive salaries and ensuring teacher pay is within the highest quartile of NYC Charter Schools.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
Come dream with us.
DREAM Maxims
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.
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.
