(2026-2027) Middle School Associate Teacher

About Alma

Alma del Mar is a K-8 charter school whose mission is to put every one of our scholars on the path to college and to challenge them to be service-minded leaders. We do this by immersing our scholars in a highly demanding, highly supportive environment where they receive a content–rich education. As an Expeditionary Learning school, Alma brings to life a three dimensional vision of student achievement that includes mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.

We’re located in New Bedford, Massachusetts a beautiful coastal city known for its history as the heart of the whaling industry and as a central hub of the abolitionist movement.

Alma gets results for kids. Alma scholars not only outperform their district peers on MCAS, they often outperform their peers in the surrounding suburbs. In some areas, our scholar achievement now matches some of the highest performing schools in the Commonwealth. We have been nationally recognized for our work with English Language Learners.

The Associate Teacher Role

Our Associate Teacher role is designed to give talented individuals new to the teaching profession a hands-on introduction to the craft and a pathway to becoming a lead teacher. Associate Teachers will serve as part of a grade-level team, working in collaboration with and under the guidance of experienced Lead Teachers. Associate Teachers will take on increasing responsibility for lesson planning and lead teaching as the year progresses. They will receive ongoing professional development and frequent, targeted feedback and coaching.

The content areas and instructional roles of each Associate Teacher varies depending on the time of year, the needs of our scholars and the approach of each teaching team.

Who We’re Looking For

We seek outstanding people with the following qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree is required
  
• A passion for working with kids and a belief that all kids can succeed
• The desire to become a classroom teacher
• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply and will be compensated higher.

In addition, the ideal candidate has the following competencies:

• Show me the Outcomes: Filters every decision through the lens of potential impact on their class
• High Demand, High Support: Sets a high bar for self, colleagues and scholars.
• Oxygen Mask: Builds the kind of personal habits that support physical and mental health in order to be able to maintain consistently strong work and be a reliable colleague.
• Crew: Believes that working with a diverse crew --with a range of perspectives, backgrounds and communication styles– makes us stronger. Seeks to uncover and address personal biases and structural inequities.
• It's Your Ship: Takes collective responsibility for the success of their class
• Challenge, Challenge: Sees difficult problems as opportunities to increase capacity and grow skills. Seeks out, and improves through, feedback.

What You Can Expect

• Weekly meetings with a manager who supports you
• Fully stocked supply closets for all your classroom needs (+ a supply budget!)
• Prep periods every day
• Weekly meetings with a manager who supports you
• A comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Paid sick and personal day, as well as paid holidays, and paid school breaks
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with PPO and HMO options
  • Paid parental leave and short term disability available
  • Multiple retirement options, including a 403(b) with matching
• Friendly, supportive, #almazing colleagues

This is an academic year position starting in August 2026. School hours are 8:20-4:00 for staff.

Compensation: Salary for this role is $42,000. Multilingual candidates are compensated higher.

Alma del Mar is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus.