Opportunity Education ยท 9 hours ago
Founding High School Science Teacher | Cedar Rapids Prep
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expCedar Rapids Prep is a tuition-free, college-preparatory school that opened in August 2025, aiming to empower students through academic excellence and leadership. The Founding High School Science Teacher will develop a dynamic science program, deliver engaging instruction, and support students in their academic and personal growth.
Education
Responsibilities
Deliver engaging and rigorous instruction in alignment with state standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and school priorities
Develop and implement student-centered lesson plans that promote inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and real-world application of biological concepts
Design and facilitate engaging laboratory experiences that allow students to explore key biological processes, practice the scientific method, and develop lab skills
Utilize a variety of instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, including project-based learning, data analysis, and hands-on experiments
Regularly assess student progress using a combination of formative and summative assessments to guide instruction
Provide students with clear, actionable feedback that supports growth in scientific understanding and reasoning
Build strong relationships with students, fostering a culture of high expectations, accountability, and support
Serve as an Advisory teacher, mentoring a small group of students in academic and personal growth throughout their four-year experience at Cedar Rapids Prep
Differentiate instruction and provide targeted interventions to ensure all students succeed, including students reading below grade level
Collaborate with Special Education staff and other support personnel to meet the needs of all learners, including those with IEPs or 504 plans
Contribute to the development of a strong STEM school culture through tutoring, clubs, or extracurricular opportunities such as a Science Olympiad team, STEM club, or environmental sustainability initiatives
Work closely with fellow teachers and school leadership to align curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies
Participate in school-wide professional development to continuously refine instructional practice, including regular data and assessment reflection cycles
Engage in feedback cycles with the Dean of Academics and Principal to improve teaching effectiveness
Communicate regularly with families about student progress, celebrating successes and addressing challenges proactively
Participate in school events, family conferences, and outreach efforts to build strong relationships with families and the community
Help students and families see the relevance of science in their everyday lives, future careers, and societal challenges
Qualification
Required
3+ years of teaching experience, preferably in high school biology or life sciences
Strong track record of student achievement in science
Experience designing and implementing differentiated instruction to meet the needs of students at varying levels of scientific understanding
Proven success in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, including facilitating lab experiments and interactive projects
Experience integrating technology, data analysis, and real-world applications into science instruction
Deep belief in all students' potential and a commitment to holding high academic and behavioral expectations
A growth mindset, constantly seeking to refine and improve instructional practice
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues
Adaptability and excitement about being part of a founding team at a new school
Readiness to go above and beyond, including putting in extra time in and outside of your role, to build Cedar Rapid's premier college prep school
Company
Opportunity Education
Opportunity Education is a non-profit foundation that empowers students worldwide with growth-oriented learning programs.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Joe Ricketts
Founder
Company data provided by crunchbase