Specialist / academic

Detroit Prep (DP) exists to provide a world-class, equitable education that will give all students a foundation of academic excellence and character development while fostering a love of learning and passion for exploring and fulfilling their extraordinary potential as learners, leaders, and world-changers.

POSITION OVERVIEW: ELEMENTARY LEVEL SPECIALIST (TITLE-FUNDED)

We are looking for extraordinary leaders and learners to join our team who:

• Teach to give students a strong foundation of academic excellence,
• Foster the social-emotional and character development of young learners,
• Build a love of learning in all students,
• Engage families as partners in our students’ education,
• Commit to constant learning, reflection, and improvement of their own practice,
• Bring their passions, personalities, humor, and joy to school every day,
• Thrive in a start-up environment, and
• Are committed to equity and the belief that all children in Detroit can reach their full potential.

The Grade Level Specialist will deliver instruction, collaborate on planning with the grade level team(s), and fully participate in the life of 2nd grade classrooms. The Grade Level Specialist will primarily support students performing below grade level standards through small group and individualized instruction within the 2nd grade classrooms. The Grade Level Specialist will have significant opportunities to learn from the Lead Teachers and the entire Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep staff, as well as participate in outside professional development. This position will be responsible for the academic growth and grade level proficiency of all 2nd grade students on their campus. An ideal candidate for this role has experience teaching or leading 2nd grade content, core standards, and expected skills. This is an 18-month position, through August 2026. The Grade Level Specialist will report to the Director of Elementary and Head of School.

WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK AT DETROIT PREP

• Our work is active. We learn by doing and getting our hands dirty. Students are scientists, urban planners, historians, and activists, investigating real community problems and collaborating with peers to develop creative, actionable solutions. Adults are active guides of student learning and active members of their professional learning community.
• Our work is inclusive and equitable. Students and adults celebrate the diverse backgrounds of their peers. School leaders work to recruit and attract a population of families and faculty that represents different socio-economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Our work is excellent. Students at all levels are pushed and supported to do more than they think they can. Excellence is expected in the quality of their work and thinking. School leaders, teachers, students, and families share rigorous expectations for quality work, achievement, and behavior.
• Our work is reflective. Students and adults reflect as they triumph and as they stumble. Students and adults offer direct and sensitive feedback to their peers. Trust, respect, responsibility, and joy in learning permeate the school culture.

POSITION GOALS AND RESPONSIBILITIES || 2nd GRADE GRADE LEVEL SPECIALIST

“We believe that when a student is done with school and enters adult life, she will be judged for the rest of her life not by her performance on tests of basic skills, but by the quality of her work and the quality of her character.” - Ron Berger, Chief Academic Officer, EL Education

We measure student and adult crew success along three dimensions of achievement: culture & character development, mastery of knowledge and skills, and high quality work. Our schools value, encourage, and require a constant cycle of inquiry toward this success with the following overarching goals for all teachers:

• Culture & Character: Educators create and nurture a positive, inclusive, and responsive learning environment. The Specialist is responsible for implementing and managing culturally responsive interventions for identified academic needs, collaborating with 2nd Grade Crew Leaders and other members of the adult crew, and ensuring that all students are able to learn in a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Mastery of Knowledge and Skills: Educators engage students in rigorous, inspiring content that aligns with appropriate national and state standards for excellence. The Specialist ensures that all moments of the school day are grounded in learning, leveraging all instructional sessions (small group, individual, whole-group, lunch bunch, recess learning, etc) and lead students to high levels of grade level academic mastery. The Specialist is responsible for implementing and managing culturally responsive interventions for academic challenges, collaborating with Crew Leaders and other members of the adult crew, and ensuring that all students are able to learn and access grade level material.
• High Quality Work: Educators inspire a love of learning and passion for exploring that leads to high quality work through creating and maintaining systems and beautiful spaces that encourages pride in identity and our school community. The Specialist is responsible for high quality work personally and across the grade band and Student Support Team.
• Cycle of Inquiry: Educators constantly gather, analyze, and act on qualitative and quantitative data to plan rigorous units and daily lessons that drive toward specific skills that students will need to access grade level material aligned with the three dimensions of student achievement and build student ownership of learning. Educators are self-managed, self-reflective, and personally driven and responsible in pursuing goals for their students, staff, and their own professional development.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive base salary
• Generous health, dental, and vision benefits
• Employer contributions to staff retirement plans
• Up to $500 annually in reimbursable Wellness Funds
• Reimbursement for continuing education or student loan assistance, up to $3,000 annually
• Childcare support reimbursement, up to $1,500 annually
• $0 (employer-paid) healthcare coverage option for individuals and their families
• Weekly professional development with more than 250 professional development hours each year

QUALIFICATIONS

• Belief in the potential of all students to achieve at high levels across three dimensions and become leaders of their own learning
• Commitment to and desire for continuously improving personal practice and school culture through rigorous coaching and professional development
• Proven ability to contribute to and collaborate with a high-performing team toward high, equitable achievement for all students
• Outstanding emotional intelligence, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical and organizational skills
• 2nd Grade-specific knowledge and/or experience (preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree (required), Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Michigan teaching certificate (current or in progress)

APPLICATION

To apply, submit a cover letter and response to the three below questions to: [email protected]

1) Why do you want to work at Detroit Prep?

2) What's your experience working with children?

3) What experience do you have teaching students currently performing below grade level? How did/do you measure success?

4) What are your professional goals?

Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep are dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to gender, age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or disability. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds. This Organization participates in E-Verify. Esta Organización participa en E-Verify.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $81,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• Michigan Teaching Certificate (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Detroit, MI 48214 (Required)

Work Location: In person