Position Title: Middle School Specials / Enrichment Teacher (Flexible Subject)
Location: Hamden / New Haven, CT
Reports To: School Principal
Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt
Start Date: SY26-27
Salary Range: $50,500 - $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
Booker T. Washington Academy Middle School seeks a creative and student-centered Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (flexible subject area; e.g. World Languages, Theater / Drama, Technology & Innovation, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurialism, Health / Life Skills, etc.) to join our 5–8 team. This is an exciting opportunity for an educator who believes deeply in the creative and intellectual potential of all children and is committed to fostering curiosity, skill development, and self‑expression through high‑quality enrichment learning.
This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about creating engaging, identity‑affirming learning experiences that broaden students’ horizons, spark new interests, and help them discover their strengths. You will join a community that values creativity, joyful learning, and equitable access to opportunities — and where enrichment is seen as a powerful lever for student growth, confidence, and belonging.
As a BTWA Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher, you will:
Deliver engaging, standards‑aligned instruction in your area of expertise .
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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As a Middle School Specials / Enrichment & Innovation Teacher (Flexible Subject) at BTWA MS, 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.
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.
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Mindsets We Value
Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy. 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 BTWA, 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.
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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.
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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 [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.
