Special Education Apprentice Teacher (2023-2024 School Year)
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.
POSITION: Special Education Apprentice Teacher (2023-2024 School Year)
GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions
LOCATION: Currently hiring at multiple locations (see openings here). We will inquire about your interests (including location preference) at the time of interview.
DURATION: This is a one year program with the hope that you will join us as a full time teacher in year two.
SALARY: $44,000 with a $4000 scholarship to the Relay Graduate School of Education
STATUS: Full time, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position (Denver, CO)
START: First day of DSST new staff training is at the end of July 2023. You can view the current School Year Calendar here. If you require a later start, please still apply and let our team know.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Launch your Special Education 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, getting direct feedback from their assigned Mentor Teacher, as well as participating in their school and network provided development.
- You will build meaningful relationships with and make a tangible impact on the minds and lives of students.
- At the end of your gradual year long onboarding, you will have the confidence and opportunity to lead your own classroom within our network.
- 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.
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 their 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.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Teaching experience is not required to become an Apprentice Teacher!
- Bachelor's Degree
- Candidates should have a 2.75 college grade point average or higher. 3.0 or higher is preferred
- Gain entrance into the CU Denver's ASPIRE to Teach Licensure Program by September 1, 2023.
- 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
INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS
For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible! 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 to learn how we deliver on this promise.
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.