NY Foundations of Leadership Teacher (2026-2027)

Teaching Foundations of Leadership at Achievement First: Foundations of Leadership III (11th grade) 2026-2027 - College & Career Team 

Achievement First invites passionate educators to apply for the position of Foundations of Leadership III (11th grade) Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year. Teaching at Achievement First is an ideal position for an educator with deep passion for instruction who is eager to gain rigorous development to help perfect his/her craft. In addition to participating in weekly professional development and team planning meetings, teachers receive consistent high-impact coaching and feedback from a school administrator or teacher-leader. 

Purpose & Outcomes for the Foundations of Leadership III (FOL 3) Course: This course plays a critical role in the continuum of support for a student attending our high school by teaching and leading the outcomes aligned to the Foundation of Leadership III course, in service of supporting strong post-secondary outcomes. This role is a good fit for someone who wants to combine their love of teaching with the nuances and complexity of supporting students in the preparation to apply to their postsecondary college or programs. 

The domains of the Foundations of Leadership III  course can be summed up as “assess, reflect, research, and prepare”.  These represent the course’s broad goals and general arc.

• Assess: As a precursor to the post-secondary application process, students need to reflect on pieces of their identity, their habits, their interests and future plans. They’ll assess themselves and their potential interests using various tools.
• Reflect: Students will use various modalities (peer collaboration, quiet written works, etc.) to reflect on the results of their assessments and consider what those results mean for their post-secondary pathways and goals.
• Research: Students will research the necessary preparation and knowledge needed in order to be ready to pursue their post-secondary goals and pathways.
• Prepare:  Students will begin their initial preparation for pursuing post-secondary options, which includes but is not limited to building initial college or career lists, building a draft resume, completing a solid draft of their personal statement, etc.

Those outcomes of the course include the following core components:  

• SELF-ASSESSMENT: Completing a self-assessment to determine strengths and potential career interest and refining one’s purpose after additional reflection and growth
• SAT PREP: Testing preparation and knowledge in order to take the SAT at least once during Junior Year
• COLLEGE & CAREER LIST: Completing research to ensure the student has a balanced list of reach, match, and safety school that meet their academic, social/emotional, and financial fit

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUESTS: Complete process of identifying and reaching out to teachers to request writing letters of recommendation FINANCIAL AID READINESS: Engaging  with families and preparing the necessary information and paperwork to prepare for the financial aid process and inform post-secondary lists creation to maximize financial support. PERSONAL STATEMENT: Supporting juniors in understanding the purpose of the Personal Statement, its role in the application process, and brainstorming and writing the essay

Responsibilities of Achievement First teachers will include but are not limited to: 

Alignment & Coordination with College & Career Counselors on Postsecondary Outcomes: 

• Deliver strong Instruction to support students in building awareness and exposure to the post-secondary landscape
• Create systems for students to complete key actions and milestones (YouScience career assessment, personal statement, draft college and career list, letter of recommendation request, draft resume)
• Adopt and implement network curriculum with fidelity
• Engage in strong partnership, coordination and communication via coaching from the Dean of College & Career to support progress monitoring of key actions
• Commit to ongoing learning about content knowledge and/or willingness to develop knowledge on key topics aligned to post-secondary throughout the course (SAT, personal statement, post-secondary exploration, etc.)
• Update data and tracking systems consistently and with fidelity 

Outstanding academic achievement and student character development 

• Create a positive, achievement-oriented and structured learning environment that excites and invests students.
• Motivate students to realize high academic and behavioral standards.
• Build classroom community by investing families in children’s academic success and development 
• Utilize data from Achievement First’s interim assessments to drive instruction and intervention.
• Design and implement unit and lesson plans in collaboration with the grade or subject team.
• Hold all students accountable during transitions, meals, trips and school events.
• Exemplify AF’s core values in all interactions with students, families and colleagues.

Professional learning, development and growth

• Collaborate with coach, grade-level chair and school team to improve instructional, culture-building and leadership skills.
• Attend all professional development, team planning and data analysis meetings.
• Participate enthusiastically in structured and informal learning and development opportunities.

Skills and Characteristics

• Strong instructional and classroom management skills.
• High level of personal organization and planning.
• Team player: maturity, humility, strong work ethic, follow-through, sense of humor, willingness to respond positively to feedback and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude.
• Strong belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model.
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for subject matter.

Educational Background and Work Experience

• • • Two years of teaching experience preferred with a proven record of high student achievement.
    • Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from a competitive college or university; Master’s degree preferred.
    • New York certified or in the process of obtaining a certification.
    • NY: If you are not yet certified, you may learn more about the process at http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do

Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. 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. Teacher salaries in NY range from $66,040-$113,198. 
• As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/