Government & Economics Teacher

About Innovation Charter High School

At Innovation Charter High School, we believe schools can be places where young people are deeply known, challenged, and prepared to shape their futures, and where educators do some of the most meaningful work of their careers. We are a mission-driven public charter high school in New York City serving students with ambition, care, and urgency. Our team is fiercely committed to improving student outcomes and continuously strengthening the school we are building together.

This is a place for educators who believe:

• Feedback is essential to growth, for students and adults
• Curiosity is a driver of strong teaching and learning
• Great schools are built through reflection, collaboration, and persistence
• Students thrive when adults hold high expectations and provide deep support
• Supporting one another as a community and showing up as strong team players matters just as much as individual excellence

We are not interested in maintaining the status quo. We are actively working to create new ways of supporting students and new ways of working together as colleagues. That takes humility, experimentation, resilience, and heart. Our staff cares deeply. We challenge one another. We learn in public. We keep improving. If you are energized by joining a dedicated team that is building toward something better, for students and for each other, we'd love to meet you.

About the Role

We are seeking a NYS-certified Government & Economics Teacher who is passionate about helping high school students understand the systems, institutions, and economic forces that shape their communities, their country, and the world around them. This educator will design and deliver rigorous, engaging instruction in Government and Economics, helping students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become informed citizens, critical thinkers, thoughtful decision-makers, and active participants in their communities.

The Government & Economics Teacher will create inclusive, inquiry-driven learning experiences that challenge students to examine multiple perspectives, analyze primary and secondary sources, evaluate evidence, understand economic concepts, and make connections between classroom learning and contemporary civic and economic issues.

What You’ll Do

Deliver Rigorous, Engaging Government & Economics Instruction

• Plan, teach, and assess Government and Economics courses aligned with New York State Learning Standards and schoolwide instructional expectations.
• Develop engaging lessons that connect foundational concepts in government, civics, economics, and public policy to real-world issues and students' lived experiences.
• Teach students about the structure and functions of government, constitutional principles, civic participation, public policy, individual rights and responsibilities, and the role of citizens in a democracy.
• Develop students' understanding of foundational economic concepts, including scarcity, supply and demand, markets, incentives, economic systems, fiscal and monetary policy, labor, and the role of government in the economy.
• Use inquiry-based instruction, discussion, debate, simulations, case studies, research, and project-based learning to deepen student understanding.
• Incorporate primary and secondary sources, data, charts, economic indicators, and contemporary issues to help students connect course content to the world around them.
• Maintain high academic expectations while providing students with the structure and support necessary to succeed.

Develop Critical Thinkers & Engaged Citizens

• Help students analyze civic, political, social, and economic issues from multiple perspectives and develop well-reasoned, evidence-based conclusions.
• Strengthen students' ability to evaluate the credibility, reliability, and perspective of information and sources.
• Develop students' skills in argumentation, discussion, research, writing, and evidence-based reasoning.
• Create opportunities for students to explore civic participation, advocacy, community engagement, and responsible decision-making.
• Encourage respectful discourse around complex and sometimes competing viewpoints while maintaining a classroom environment grounded in curiosity and intellectual openness.
• Help students understand how government policies and economic decisions affect individuals, families, communities, businesses, and society.
• Build students' confidence in expressing their ideas, asking meaningful questions, and participating constructively in civic and academic discussions.

Design Inclusive & Responsive Instruction

• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with IEPs and students requiring additional academic support.
• Adapt texts, assignments, discussions, projects, and assessments while maintaining rigorous grade-level expectations.
• Use Universal Design for Learning, backward planning, and other effective instructional practices to create multiple entry points for student learning.
• Collaborate with special education teachers, counselors, and student support staff to implement appropriate accommodations and instructional supports.
• Use culturally responsive materials and perspectives that allow students to see connections between course content, their communities, and broader historical and contemporary issues.
• Create a classroom environment rooted in belonging, respect, intellectual curiosity, and high expectations.

Use Data & Assessment to Strengthen Student Learning

• Develop and administer formative and summative assessments to measure student understanding and skill development.
• Analyze student work and assessment data to identify learning gaps, monitor progress, and adjust instruction.
• Provide timely, actionable feedback that helps students strengthen their reasoning, writing, analysis, and content knowledge.
• Use student performance data to differentiate instruction and provide targeted academic interventions.
• Maintain accurate student grades, records, and required instructional documentation.

Connect Learning to College, Career & Civic Life

• Help students understand how government and economics connect to college, careers, financial decision-making, community leadership, and adult life.
• Introduce students to careers and postsecondary pathways related to government, law, public policy, economics, business, public service, and community advocacy.
• Incorporate authentic learning experiences such as debates, mock elections, simulations, community-based projects, guest speakers, and analysis of contemporary issues.
• Encourage students to understand their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for meaningful civic participation.
• Collaborate with colleagues and schoolwide programs to create interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities.

Contribute to a Collaborative Adult Culture

• Engage actively in feedback, coaching, and professional learning.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve instructional practice and student outcomes.
• Participate actively in department meetings, professional development, curriculum planning, and schoolwide initiatives.
• Contribute to a culture of reflection, curiosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Help create classrooms and a school community rooted in belonging, safety, equity, and high expectations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Appropriate New York State Social Studies teaching certification for Grades 7–12, or active pathway toward certification
• Strong knowledge of U.S. government, civics, economics, public policy, and contemporary issues
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to rigorous, inclusive, culturally responsive, and student-centered instruction

Strongly Preferred:

• Master's degree in Education, History, Political Science, Economics, Public Policy, or a related field
• 3+ years of teaching experience, ideally in New York City schools or urban public/charter settings
• Experience teaching Government, Economics, Civics, Social Studies, or related secondary-level coursework
• Experience supporting adolescents with IEPs in inclusive classroom settings
• Experience facilitating inquiry-based learning, academic discussion, debate, research, and evidence-based writing
• Experience using assessment data to inform instruction and intervention
• Experience incorporating project-based, experiential, or community-connected learning into Social Studies instruction

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $68,902–$95,000, based on certification level and experience.

Innovation teachers certified in New York State receive a highly competitive compensation package. Uncertified teachers receive competitive compensation with increases upon certification.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with up to 5% employer match
• Life insurance
• Professional development and coaching
• A collaborative team deeply committed to growth and support