University Preparatory Academy

Business Manager

Salaries for full time teaching positions will range from $40,000 to $60,000.

Teachers and Instructional Staff
UPA has a high-specified set of qualities it will require of its teaching faculty. UPA will adhere to all “highly qualified” requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with respect to teachers. As such, teachers in all of our core subjects – English/language arts, mathematics, science, social science, and foreign language – will meet NCLB’s highly qualified standards. Teachers will also meet the following credentialing requirements for employment as stipulated by California Education Code section 47605(l), “Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, or permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in other public schools would be required to hold…It is the intent of the legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to non core, non college preparatory courses.” Teachers of core, college preparatory subjects (i.e. English language arts, math, science, history/social science, and foreign language) and special education will be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document equivalent to that which a teacher in a non-charter public school would be required to hold. In order to ensure implementation of the school’s mission and educational philosophy, hiring preference will be given to teachers who have experience designing and implementing curriculum aligned to the state content standards and our educational program. Applicants to teach in our program will be evaluated based on the following qualifications:

Demonstrated expertise in subject area and the ability to communicate the appropriate knowledge to each student.
Possession of a CLAD credential.
Knowledge and experience with standards-based instruction: ability to align curriculum and standards and willingness to adopt grading practices that can be used in standards-based grading.
Knowledge of assessment strategies and the desire to use data to drive teaching, and to modify curriculum and instruction in order to ensure continuous improvement of student achievement.
Ability to effectively use a broad range of instructional strategies, including providing a guaranteed curriculum, challenging goals and effective feedback, differentiated instruction, and backward mapping, among others.
Demonstrated competence using advanced technology as a learning tool: willing and able to integrate technology into teaching, student learning, parent communication, and professional growth.
Outstanding classroom management skills.
Belief in our mission that all students will learn and successfully master the content and skills necessary for advanced post-secondary education.
Willingness to work as a vital part of the UPA team in developing and improving curricula and instruction, prepare and promote Advance Placement classes and school programs in order to seek continuous improvement for students, staff and the UPA Community as a whole.
Willingness and ability to work with students and parents on an ongoing basis to monitor student achievement.
Love for students, enthusiasm for teaching, the belief that each student can and will succeed and the willingness to do what it takes to make it happen.
Desire and ability to engage in continuing education, staff development and skill upgrading.
Ability to be effective in the Teacher/Advisory Program.
Positive references from most recent employment and/or college or graduate school.

These characteristics are found in the research of Robert J. Marzano and many others. Marzano, “What Works in Schools” and “Classroom Instruction that Works” by Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, and Jane E. Pollock. Based on the research showing that the teacher has the most impact on student learning, UPA will seek to find the most effective teachers based on the above factors. All teachers will be required to teach a sample lesson in their major area of study. UPA will use a rubric in the evaluation and interview process so candidates are each evaluated against a common set of standards.

Teachers will be responsible for overseeing the students’ academic progress and for monitoring grading and matriculation decisions as specified in the school’s operation policies. UPA may also employ or retain non-certificated instructional support staff in any case where a credential is not required and a prospective staff member has an appropriate mix of subject matter expertise, professional experience, and the demonstrated capacity to work successfully in an instructional capacity. Instructional support staff will not assign grades or approve student work assignments without the approval of a teacher unless they are instructing non-core or non-college preparatory courses and activities.