Elementary School Apprentice Teacher

Job Description

The Apprentice Teacher position provides a unique opportunity for talented individuals with limited or no teaching experience to explore the field of education and to gain hands-on practice and the training necessary to become a successful full-time classroom teacher. Apprentice Teachers will have an opportunity to observe best practices in classroom instruction and education reform from experienced teachers and school leaders at a leading charter management organization in New York City. Apprentice Teachers observe and learn from Master Teachers, co-teach with teacher-leaders, provide in-house substitute teaching coverage for teachers, and support teachers with tutoring, grading, and individual or small group student instruction. Depending on school needs and candidate background, Apprentice Teachers may also teach their own class of students, allowing for direct teaching experience within a more limited teaching load. Apprentice Teachers will also assist with a variety of work inside and outside of the classroom, including teaching Enrichment classes, organizing student events, and developing mentoring relationships with students. Through full participation in summer and school-year professional development, as well as regular meetings with an instructional coach, Apprentice Teachers will have many opportunities to gain the experience and support necessary to develop their teaching skills. By the end of the year, Apprentice Teachers will be very strong candidates for full-time teaching positions.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist teachers with instruction, assessments, grading, and other classroom responsibilities
• Meet regularly with a coach to implement feedback on lessons and instruction
• Support students by providing one-on-one and small group tutoring daily, and small group intervention and student support
• Periodically plan and deliver instruction, gradually taking on more responsibility throughout the year
• Provide substitute teaching coverage for teachers within the school
• Teach or help coordinate an Enrichment class
• Observe Master Teachers in order to improve instructional techniques and classroom management
• Develop teaching skills to potentially become a full-time teacher at the school
• Potentially teach one class or small groups of students
• Teach classes on behalf of Deans and teacher-leaders who are observing other teachers

As appropriate, perform all duties expected of classroom teachers, including but not limited to:

• Participating in an annual three-week staff orientation and training.
• Being accountable for students mastery of academic standards
• Helping to co-lead advisory/homeroom in the morning and afternoon
• Providing consistent rewards and/or consequences for student behavior
• Using assessment data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices
• Implementing curricula and activities to meet academic standards
• Communicating effectively with students, families, and colleagues
• Supervising students during transitions, breakfast, lunch and afterschool
• Serving as an advisor to a small group of students
• Participating in collaborative curriculum development, grade-level activities, and school-wide functions, events, and trips
• Designing and implementing assessments that measure progress towards academic standards

Qualifications

• By the time that employment begins, candidates must have received a Bachelor's degree from a College or University. For teaching roles in New Jersey, the candidates must have earned a cumulative 2.75 GPA (for candidates graduating before September 1, 2016) or 3.0 (for candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016)
• Prior experience working in schools and/or urban communities is preferred but not required
• A strong candidate will possess strong organizational skills, communication skills (particularly with children), and problem solving skills
• is flexible and enjoys dealing with unpredictability
• Ideal candidates are hard-working, urgent, energetic, and are willing to learn and adapt
• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Relentless commitment to mission of educating urban students. Belief in and alignment with Uncommons core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable.
• Interest in performing a critical support role and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, results-oriented environment
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
• Is extremely reflective and constantly wants to improve
• Evidence of self-motivation, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility

Additional Information

Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in New York Cityis $50,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members.

Our people are what makes us Uncommon. We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values-equity, transparency, and clarity-to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise. Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Other Benefits:

• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer) + additional sustainability half days throughout the school year
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Financial planning & wellness
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial planning tools and assistance
• Paid leave of absence
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.