Thank you for your interest in joining us as an Apprentice Teacher for the 2024-2025 School Year! Please read the position description in detail before applying. By completing this application, you will be placed into our talent pool for this program. If you have additional questions or require a different timelines, please reach out to us at humancapital@scienceandtech.org.
POSITION: Apprentice Teacher (2024-2025 School Year)
GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions
LOCATION: Currently hiring at multiple locations. See a map of our 16 schools here.
SALARY: $44,000 with a $4000 scholarship to the Relay Graduate School of Education + financial support with relocation if applicable. Possibilities for up to $25k extra pay through Student Educator Stipend Program and substitute teaching. Finally we also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!
STATUS: Full time school year, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position
START DATE: ATs in Relay GSE attend a week-long intensive in mid-July. First day of DSST new staff training is at the end of July. You can view the current School Year Calendar here.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Launch your teaching career with a team of extraordinary educators! DSST’s Apprentice Teacher (AT) Program is a year-long teaching residency designed to support you in learning to teach at DSST Public Schools while also earning a competitive salary. You’ll gain transformative classroom experience and development under the guidance of a DSST Mentor Teacher and a program designed to improve your craft through intentional learning, observation, and practice. At the end of your first year, you’ll also have the option of pursuing a Master’s in Art in Teaching at a heavily subsidized rate.
Your primary responsibility is to learn! Our ATs spend time observing various DSST Teachers, practicing teaching real classes, getting direct feedback from their assigned Mentor Teacher, and participating in their school and network provided development.
At the end of your gradual year-long onboarding, you will have the confidence and opportunity to lead your own classroom within our network.
You will build meaningful relationships with and make a tangible impact on the minds and lives of students.
Apprentice Teachers may also take on additional duties as assigned such as supporting student recruitment, running a small group advisory class, after school tutoring, etc. See many of our possible duties here.
Please Note: teaching experience is not required to become an Apprentice Teacher! We are excited to interview anyone who has completed (or will complete!) a Bachelor’s Degree in any major and wants to make a difference in the lives of 6th-12th grade students. We will inquire about your subject interests & location preference at the time of interview.
Key Differences between Apprentice Teachers and DSST Teachers:
An Apprentice Teacher, unlike a DSST Teacher, does not have the responsibility of managing the learning and culture of his/her own classroom until the end of the year. In the beginning of the Apprentice Teaching experience, the Apprentice Teacher will not assume full responsibility for long term planning, daily planning; assessment creation, data analysis, or behavior management-- the DSST Mentor Teacher will manage all of these classroom components and help the Apprentice Teacher transition to managing more on their own as the year progresses. By the end of the year, it is the goal of the Apprentice Teacher to manage the majority of long and short-term planning, assessment creation, data analysis, and behavior management so that they are ready to assume full leadership of a classroom in the following school year.
Apprentice Teacher Pathway
DSST Apprentice Teachers commit to the following pathway to support their development as a teacher. Enrollment and good standing in this pathway is a requirement for continued participation in the DSST Apprentice Teacher Program.
Relay Residency Program (Licensure and master's degree pathway): Most DSST Apprentice Teachers (including recent college graduates and career changers) enroll in the highly acclaimed Relay Teacher Residency program. For math and science teaching candidates, this preferred partner program is aligned with DSST’s core teaching practices and is highly regarded by our DSST Apprentice Teacher alums.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Teaching experience is not required to become an Apprentice Teacher!
A completed Bachelor’s Degree (any major) prior to start date
An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in high school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives
Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator
Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve
You need a plan and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of your content area by September 1, 2024.
For Apprentice Teachers in the Relay Residency Pathway, full enrollment and continued participation in the Relay GSE program is required.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
WHO WE ARE
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring ALL students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about why we’ve been selected as the 2018 Broad Prize Winner and as a Denver Post “Top Place to Work”.
Not interested right now but might be in the future, or want to learn about other positions? Complete our Interest Form to connect with a member of our Talent Team.
INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS
For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process here.
TOTAL REWARDS
At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out our website and our benefits highlight guide to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.
Some Highlights:
Staff Experience Bonus: DSST celebrates staff that continue to choose our network by rewarding a bonus every 3 years in increasing increments from $3,000-$6,000.
Excellent Healthcare Plan: We encourage you to check out our benefits guide to see the ways we are committed to the wellness of our staff. We are always looking to improve how we care and, through staff feedback, we’ve been able to implement innovative new benefits such as Fertility Benefits as well as staffing a Mental Health Counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST Staff.
Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy 11+ weeks off per year + paid PTO (from Day 1!)
Career Development: In addition to weekly coaching from a designated coach, you’ll have access to internal training and development pathways designed by our Professional Development & Training Team as well as external development opportunities.
REFERRAL
Know someone who would be a great fit? Refer them here! Anyone can refer a candidate and we offer a $500 referral bonus for every successful referral.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.