Mastery-Based Career Ladder

Overview  

Teacher quality is the single greatest determinant of student success. By professionalizing the teaching corps and creating a learning community of mentorship, reflection, and growth our teachers develop at an unprecedented rate. This daily focus on adult empowerment directly leads to high-quality instruction and student achievement. Within each teaching team, pedagogues are given the mentorship and support to improve their practice and advance professionally.

Our four-step career ladder (Apprentice, Associate, Partner, Master) professionalizes teaching with a pay scale ranging from $50,000 to $120,000, plus benefits. By offering competitive salaries, we attract the best and brightest to the classroom. On average, our teachers will make 38% more than comparable NYC DOE teachers; with salaries and responsibilities increasing as they ascend along the career ladder. Promotion is based on comprehensive review of pedagogy, competence and ability, not just test scores or seniority.

 Master Teacher

Each New American Academy teaching team is led by a Master Teacher. The Master Teacher has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring quality of instruction, ensuring appropriate division of teaching duties, monitoring student learning, developing curriculum, and actively participating as a member of the School Leadership Team (SLT). The Master Teacher also mentors and develops the other members of their team and ensures ongoing parental involvement and communication. Master Teachers embody and maintain the schools mission, purpose, and core values, and carry the highest burdens of responsibility for student, teacher, and school success. In addition, as the school model replicates into other communities, Master Teachers will be the primary ambassadors for transferring the replication of the school’s tenets and instructional program. To qualify as a Master Teacher, a candidate must demonstrate a high level of pedagogical expertise, as well as the ability to promote adult development.

 Partner Teacher

Each teaching team will have at least one Partner Teacher providing support to the Master Teacher. An experienced educator, the Partner Teacher provides a high level of instructional, curricular, and classroom management expertise to their teaching team and embody the schools mission, purpose, and core values. The Partner Teacher has the opportunity to build upon his or her leadership skills and, if interested, to be considered for Master Teacher vacancies as they arise. To qualify as a Partner Teacher, a candidate must demonstrate a high level of instructional competence and history of student growth.

 Associate Teacher

Associate Teachers are responsible for daily instruction and student support. Under the mentorship of the Master Teacher, they meet the range and diversity of student learning needs. This includes coaching of small subsets of students and one-on-one direct instruction. Associate Teachers will be considered for Partner Teacher upon demonstration of a higher level of competence. To qualify as an Associate Teacher, a candidate must demonstrate that they embody, preserve, and support the schools mission, purpose, and core values and have a history of successful pedagogical practice.

Apprentice Teacher

The entry level of teacher classification is that of Apprentice Teacher. This person is a first or second year teacher who will be supported and developed by the other three teachers of the teaching team. The Apprentice Teacher is responsible for daily instruction and student support and for meeting the range of student needs. Apprentice Teachers have the opportunity to be considered for Associate Teacher upon demonstration of a higher level of competence. To qualify as an Apprentice Teacher, a candidate must demonstrate that they embody, preserve, and support the school’s mission, purpose, and core values and a commitment to professional development.