School Overview:

Cresthaven Academy Charter School exists to provide a comprehensive education to our scholars that develops the ‘whole child” through academic excellence, physical wellness, emotional health, and character enrichment.  Our school is built on the belief that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed when given equal access to a high-quality education.  Each of our scholars will be empowered to overcome challenges and equipped to sustain their success in school and beyond.  

Cresthaven Academy Charter School opened in August 2016 with 75 kindergarten scholars, and we will continue to add a grade each academic year until we are a K-8 school.  All Cresthaven Academy scholars will receive access to the best educators and resources, serving to actualize each child’s potential and setting them on the path to college.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is supported by Cresthaven Academy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation exists to support the school and teaching  staff in all things outside of classroom instruction, reducing the risk of burnout and raising academic standards by allowing educators to focus on their scholars . Together we will incorporate comprehensive support for scholars and families into the education model, including an afterschool program and Saturday Academy, in order to inspire excellence in character, identity, and academics in each child.  

Cresthaven Academy is focused on supporting excellent teaching that closes the achievement gap.  We recognize that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement.  We also value leadership and support staff because they  facilitate, encourage, and help to foster the developmental growth of scholars to achieve physical, social and mental well-being by providing quality care and expertise in their respective roles.  

We are seeking a Bilingual/ESL Elementary Teacher who is results-oriented and does whatever it takes to ensure success for all scholars.  Why join the Cresthaven Academy Family?  Great question!  We’re really passionate about kids, fun, and improvement.  To find out more, visit our website.

Responsibilities:

What You Can Expect at Cresthaven Academy Charter School

Professional Development  We are invested in hiring, training, and retaining top talent.  Before the school year begins, we offer three weeks of targeted training for new staff.  Aligned to our data-driven approach, we hold ourselves to the highest standards in terms of collaboration and professional development.  At Cresthaven Academy, we are all “learners” and consider ourselves part of a culture of reflection, feedback, and commitment to excellence.  Support includes:

• Built-in planning time to ensure implementation and effectiveness of our co-teaching model.  Intense collaboration with co-teacher and grade team around curriculum and sharing of best practices is a non-negotiable.
• Weekly leadership-led professional development sessions, including grade-team planning meetings, training on classroom management and curriculum, strategies for working with Students with Disabilities (SWDs) and English-Language Learners (ELLs), and sessions to analyze student work.  
• Frequent observations by the Principal and/or Lead Teacher followed by targeted feedback and recommendations on how to improve teaching and learning.   

School Community  At Cresthaven Academy, we are working collaboratively with parents and community leaders to build a culture of success and student achievement.  We hold all members of our school community to high expectations, know every scholar and family by name, and offer comprehensive support to ensure success for all of our scholars.  

• After-School and Saturday Academy will be offered exclusively to all Cresthaven scholars in order to provide additional academic, creative, and athletic enrichment.  Teachers will have the option of receiving a supplemental stipend for work conducted at enrichment programming.
• Cresthaven Academy staff will communicate frequently with families and send written progress notes in English and Spanish several times per year.  The Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will assist non-Spanish speaking teachers to communicate with families and make them feel welcomed in order to support our scholars.
• We will conduct home visits for each scholar as part of the enrollment process.
• We will provide periodic Parent Academy sessions, a program designed to address the needs of our scholars and school community.
• We field questions and quickly respond to phone calls from families to maintain open lines of communication.

Resources and Technology  Our school model is designed to provide a comprehensive support system to develop the “whole child.”  We have a full-time nurse, school psychologist, and health and physical education teacher.  Additionally, you can count on the following:

• Brand new, custom-designed classrooms that are engaging and developmentally appropriate to ensure that our scholars have daily play time.  
• Educational technology including an interactive smartboard and computer center in every classroom, as well as a laptop to maintain open lines of communication with families and colleagues.
• A leadership and support team to manage many non-instructional aspects of the school day allowing the Principal to focus on instruction and teacher development.

Qualifications:

Our ideal Bilingual/ESL Teacher will have:

• New Jersey Teacher of Elementary Education Certificate Required, AND Bilingual/Bicultural Endorsement Required
• English as a Second Language - CE/CEAS - optional
• At least 2 years of full-time classroom experience.  Charter school and urban setting experience is preferred.
• A demonstrated track record of facilitating student academic growth and having a joyous, positive classroom.
• A Master’s Degree and teaching certificate in the content area.  (Bachelor’s Degree is required.)
• Passion and sustained commitment to ensure that joyful, rigorous instruction is delivered to every scholar, every day.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, be mission-aligned, and feel excited to be part of a Founding Team.

Demonstrated competencies in the following areas are a must:

• Behavior and Classroom Management - Ability to establish and maintain high expectations and create 100% engagement in a classroom of scholars at all times.  
• Accountability and Data Driven - Proven record of student achievement as evidenced by student work, learning, and data.
• Preparation - Ability to study Cresthaven Academy’s curriculum and Common Core Standards for grade level taught, commit to collegial relationships, and work collaboratively to deliver instruction at a high level.  
• Self-Reflection - Ability to seek, accept, and implement feedback from colleagues and Principal on an ongoing basis for continuous improvement.
• Stamina and grit - Ability to handle the intensity required to work an extended school day and school calendar.  

Additional Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, and provide instruction in Spanish/English that meet state and federal standards
• Provide instruction that is consistent and coordinated with the school’s instructional program so as to ensure that students meet and exceed learning targets.
• Develop and deliver lesson plans that utilize a broad range of appropriate teaching techniques and strategies.
• Address all aspects of communication through appropriate instruction that develops each scholar’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in the appropriate content area.
• Administer academic and language assessments for the purpose of evaluating student progress for meeting academic learning targets and progress in language acquisition (i.e. ACCESS for ELLs, MAP, Interim Assessments, etc.)
• Maintain complete and accurate records of student progress and evidence of growth and progress to strategically respond to student learning needs, refine curriculum, and inform instructional practices.
• Provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment that encourages student responsibility and incorporates challenging instructional strategies
• Adapt curriculum to provide individual, small group, and/or remedial instruction as to meet the needs of individual students.
• Establish and maintain standards of student behavior required to run an orderly and productive classroom environment
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and strategies to meet different aptitudes and interests of students
• Manage allotted learning time to maximize student achievement.
• Participate in the collaborative curriculum design process with grade team to ensure scholars meet WIDA English Language Development Standards.
• Share responsibility for grade-level and school-wide activities.
• Attend all recommended professional development sessions that are specific to literacy and numeracy content.
• Attend scheduled faculty meetings or sessions that pertain to ESL/Bilingual role.
• Weekly check-ins with Principal and/or Student Support Coordinator to discuss both teacher and student performance.
• Exhibit resilience to persevere and turn challenges into opportunities.

Cresthaven Academy offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.