M

Making Waves Academy

Tuition-free charter school for college readiness

Middle School Teacher

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$55.3k - $70k/yr
Mid
Bachelor's
Richmond, CA, USA
In PersonOn-site in Richmond, California.
EducationK-12 Teaching

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in a relevant field with deep content knowledge.
  • A valid California Teaching Credential, or current eligibility or enrollment in an approved intern or credential program.
  • Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background screens, including Live Scan/fingerprints, a TB screen, a CTC Certificate of Clearance, and CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
  • Maintain high expectations for every student's college- and career-ready potential.
  • Adapt quickly based on student data and coaching feedback.
Responsibilities
  • Deliver culturally relevant, standards-aligned instruction that challenges and engages every student.
  • Adapt lessons to meet diverse learning styles and support social-emotional growth.
  • Use real-time student data, including formative, summative, and performance assessments, to adjust instruction and prepare students for rigorous benchmarks such as SBAC.
  • Establish a structured, positive, and productive learning environment grounded in the academy's culture of respect and achievement.
  • Maintain frequent, proactive communication with parents and guardians to keep them invested in their student's academic goals.
  • Participate in weekly professional development, peer coaching, and team collaboration meetings.

About the company

Making Waves Academy is a tuition-free public charter school for grades 5–12 in Richmond, California, offering college-preparatory, A-G-aligned coursework and holistic student support for historically underserved students. It combines rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, and career readiness with work-based learning starting in middle school, supported by a campus funded and maintained by the Making Waves Education Foundation and public charter funding complemented by foundation grants. The school differentiates itself through a strong equity focus, early career exploration, professional skill-building, and a post-graduation program of coaching, scholarships, and financial literacy via the Foundation. Its goal is to close opportunity gaps by helping Wave-Makers gain admission to four-year colleges and complete degrees with little debt, paving pathways to sustainable higher education and careers.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Richmond, California

Founded

N/A

Get referred to Making Waves Academy

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Applications rose 5.1% in 2026, the first increase since 2019.
  • MWA won $216,377 in A-G grant funding to lift CSU and UC eligibility.
  • LCAP projects $28.5 million revenue, including $8.5 million local funds and strong philanthropic support.

What critics are saying

  • Ronald Guinto's abuse settlement and Anessa Gower's 29-count case scarred MWA's brand.
  • Middle-school demand still constrains growth: 2026 lottery offered only 143 new seats.
  • WASC renewal and strategic model shifts in 2026 expose execution risk across college-career programming.

What makes Making Waves Academy unique

  • Richmond campus-owned charter ties academics, counseling, and scholarships into one pipeline.
  • Five-year charter renewal passed unanimously in December 2024, extending operations through June 2030.
  • March 2026 data show 93% staff intent to return and 100% central-office retention.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Mental Health Support
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Professional Development Budget