Democracy Prep teachers must do whatever it takes for our students to succeed in college and to engage in their communities as active democratic citizens. This ambitious goal can only be attained through exemplary teaching by every member of the faculty as well as the leadership team.

Recruiting the Best: Democracy Prep teachers are experienced urban educators and veterans of programs such as Teach For America and recruited from public, private, and parochial schools around the world. We hire only the top .5% of applicants. This is accomplished by providing excellent compensation along with a supportive professional environment. Teacher salaries at Democracy Prep start at least 10% higher than the New York City system with raises for school-wide academic performance and stipends for summer and Saturday teaching. Additionally, merit-based financial bonuses are awarded by the Head of School to teachers whose students demonstrate objective academic improvement above and beyond the school-wide statistical norm. Teachers receive a competitive benefits package that improves over time as an incentive to promote faculty longevity.

Collegial and Professional Environment: Teachers at Democracy Prep are treated as professionals, provided with all necessary technology (computer, cell-phone, voicemail, email, etc.), appropriate classroom supplies and essential support at all times. Teachers receive a minimum of two dedicated hours of preparation time daily, Monday through Thursday, exclusively for grading and lesson planning. Teachers also have preparation time with subject area colleagues to ensure the opportunity to collaborate, discuss pertinent student issues, and to be used for peer observation.Thus, faculty have at least 14 hours of dedicated preparation time each week. Most importantly, our teachers work closely with colleagues who get great results and are committed to the same mission.

Consistent Instructional Practices: One of the most frustrating experiences for a teacher is to work hard to establish norms in a classroom only to have them undermined in a room down the hall. At Democracy Prep, there are consistent instructional practices in every classroom. While there is not one correct way to teach content, students must have consistent routines, blackboard configuration, grading practices, and behavioral expectations in every class.