Apprentice Teacher

Apprentice Teacher

DSST Public Schools (DSST) seeks an Apprentice Teacher to join one of the leading charter school organizations in the nation. We serve 6-12 th grade students across Denver and Aurora. Our mission is to transform urban public education by eliminating educational inequity and preparing all students for success in college and the 21 st century.

We believe a diverse, equitable and inclusive team leads to innovation, which allows us to better support our students, families, and the community – regardless of background, experience, social and/or cultural identity. DSST aims to be an inclusive & equitable workplace by valuing race, gender, sexual orientation and all aspects of individual identities. When reading this job description, we hope you feel energized by what you see, feel and hear. If you believe you could bring passion and commitment to the role but aren't sure you meet every qualification, please apply! Above all, we are looking for people who believe in our mission to eliminate educational inequity.

Overview of Position :

DSST Public Schools seeks aspiring teachers with the potential for high-impact on student growth and achievement to join our next cohort of teachers preparing to provide a rigorous college preparatory program to a diverse population*. Our teachers are leaders who play an integral role in ensuring student success through supporting our school goals, developing and instructing a rigorous core curriculum, and using data to drive their daily practice.

Our DSST Apprentice Teachers:

• Develop meaningful relationships with and make a tangible impact on the minds and lives of students,

• Seek to drive their continuous growth and development in a program designed to improve their craft through intentional learning, observation, and practice,

• Spend a year in a gradual onramp to teaching under the guidance of an exemplary mentor teacher, and

• Leave their first year ready to take on a classroom of their own in the following year as a lead teacher.

This mid-year role is an opportunity for an aspiring teacher to jump in to support a mentor teacher and school as we reopen our schools for hybrid learning. Since this is a mid-year opening, this position has the opportunity to transition into a full-year Apprentice Teacher role in 21-22 or to a full time teaching role in 21-22 depending on the candidates readiness. Additionally, this role may spend a portion of the day supporting the placement school with substitute teaching to build experience in a variety of grade levels and content areas. Enrollment in the Relay Teaching Residency will be available in your following year if you transition to a 21-22 Apprentice Teacher, but you would not have the opportunity to enroll in Relay Graduate School of Education for the 20-21 school year.

Teaching experience is not required to become an Apprentice Teacher. We will inquire about your interests (including location preference) at the time of interview.

*Please visit our website to better understand the demographics of each of DSST’s campuses.

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.

Essential Functions :

Overview

• Demonstrate relentless drive and passion to improve the minds and lives of youth

• Take individual and holistic accountability for student success- taking ownership of each student’s academic success or failure

• As a DSST teacher you will responsible for modeling and maintaining high expectations

  • For example; dress code, silent times, behavioral intervention systems, punctuality, etc (expectations may vary by grade-level and campus)

• Reinforce the school’s core values, guiding philosophy, rules, and school spirit

• Engage fully in development opportunities in pursuit of professional growth

Classroom Teaching

• Exhibit mastery and enthusiasm for the assigned academic subjects and classes

• Work closely and collaboratively with student, parents, and other teachers within the school and throughout the DSST network

• With support of mentor teacher, gradually increase teaching responsibilities over the year

• In conjunction with mentor teacher, use the network’s curriculum and standards to plan and implement targeted lessons and assessments for each student

• Support mentor teacher in grading assignments and keeping an up-to-date gradebook

• Work to learn, implement, and master DSST Public Schools’ core instructional practices

  • Which include Tone & Presence, Student Engagement, Classroom Routines, Sense of Urgency, Checks for Understanding, etc.
    

Data and Analysis

• In conjunction with mentor teacher, implement a variety of network assessments 6- 10 times a year depending on grade level

• In conjunction with mentor teacher, use assessment data to identify and address any racial, gender, special education and linguistically diverse inequities and disparities across all data points

• In conjunction with mentor teacher, use data to adapt lessons and instructional practices to help students meet the school's performance standards

  • Use of data includes re-teach weeks, spiraling skills, and using varied techniques/differentiating to meet student needs
    

Professional Development

• Devote the time an energy required to master the craft of teaching

• Engage in frequent coaching and development sessions with mentor teacher and an instructional coach

• Seek out and request opportunities for growth and continuous improvement in teaching, both in and out of the classroom

• Be open to and actively seek out feedback from students, colleagues, and school administration

• Actively support and participate in the school’s professional development programs

  • This includes weekly staff meetings, data analysis and designing, planning, leading, and participating in best practice sessions, and peer coaching.

Additional Duties:

School Life

• Model, live, and reinforce the school’s core values and policies inside and outside the classroom with colleagues, students, parents, and the larger community

• Serve as a recruiter for new students; actively engage prospective families in an effort to draw more students to choose your school; be willing to take on additional tasks to support recruitment, as needed

• Serve as an advisor to a small group of advisees by overseeing their academic and student life

  • Taking attendance

  • Checking homework completion

  • Holding regular academic and behavioral conferences

  • Meeting & communicating with families regularly

  • Leading weekly Advisory activities and lessons

  • If applicable, leading reading and culture circles
    

Grade level teammate

• Participate in weekly meetings to support student culture and academics for the whole grade

• Participate in data tracking and observations for students via Multi-tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS)

• Participate in planning and execution of grade level events

Weekly Staff Meetings

• Participate in weekly whole school staff meetings to support school culture and teacher initiatives

• Participate in planning and proctoring extra teacher responsibilities throughout the week, as needed

  • Lunch Duty, Morning Duty, After School Duty, Enrichment, Academic Interventions (College Prep, Mandatory Tutoring), Hallway duty, etc.
    

• Behavioral Support Intervention (depending on campus)

  • Refocus, silent lunch, core values point system, etc.

• Support as a substitute teacher when necessary

**there may be additional duties depending on the DSST campus**

Job Requirements :

DSST Public Schools seeks candidates with strong character, passion for excellence, a relentless commitment to and passion for student achievement and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Job applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

• In order to be considered qualified to teach as an apprentice teacher at DSST Public Schools, you will need:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university - please submit unofficial transcripts in the additional materials section of the application

  • Candidates should have a 2.75 college grade point average or higher. 3.0 or higher is preferred
    

• You need a plan and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of your content area by September 1, 2021. In Colorado this means one of the three option below:

  • Degree with approved major in your content area

  • 24 approved credits in your content area

  • Praxis II Exam- Passing a content knowledge exam in your content area: Secondary Mathematics (6 - 12) exam #5161 with a 152 or higher, Middle School Mathematics (6 - 8) exam #5169 with a 165 or higher, or the Science exam #5435 with a 152 or higher.
    

• Please include a cover letter with your application. In your cover letter we would love to see:

  • Your story

  • Your interest in a career working with DSST students

  • Key experiences that may not have been highlighted in your resume

  • Why you would be a great fit for this role

Commitments:

Commitment to Equity

• We believe that if we actively commit to equitable and inclusive practices aligned to our mission and values, our students and staff will achieve at high levels.
  

Commitment to Continuous Growth

• We believe that if we foster our own growth mindsets, our students and staff will develop a commitment to continuous improvement and thus maximize their potential.
  

Commitment to Healthy Team

• We believe that if we commit to modeling and fostering healthy teams, our students and staff will achieve a collective success that surpasses that of the individuals
  

Drives to Results

• We believe if we strategically develop systems and people with a driven sense of urgency and focus on results, our students and staff will achieve ambitious goals.
  

Classification : Exempt

Reports to : School Director

Compensation and Benefits : DSST Public Schools is committed to providing our staff with benefit offerings that empower each of our employees to make the choices that best meet their individualized and personal needs while also keeping cost in mind.

DSST Benefit highlights include:

· Medical Plans offered through Aetna

· Annual Health Savings account (HSA) gift from DSST Public Schools

· 2 Dental Plans options offered through Aetna Insurance and Vision through the Eyemed network

· Employee Assistance and Counseling Support

· 401(k) retirement plan with 5% annual gift from DSST regardless of personal contribution

· Access to additional discounts through our benefit partners exclusively for DSST staff

· Paid leave beginning day one

*Candidates placed in Aurora Science & Tech. will be eligible for a PERA Retirement Plan

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.

DSST Public Schools proudly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Denver School of Science and Technology does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. (Protected Classes).

DSST Public Schools does not unlawfully discriminate against a member of a Protected Class in admission or access to, or terms and conditions of employment, or in its programs and activities. DSST Public Schools shall operate as an equal opportunity employer and will provide and safeguard the opportunity for all persons to seek, obtain, hold and advance in employment within the district without discrimination. The District shall actively promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive, aggressive, continuing affirmative action program.

Further, DSST Public Schools affirms the rights of all Protected Classes to be free from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and/or harassment.

DSST Public Schools shall inform students, parents, employees and the general public each school year that the educational programs, activities and employment opportunities offered by the district are offered without regard to ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. The announcement shall also include the name/title, address and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate Title IX and Section 504 and ADA compliance activities.

Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact the Assistant Superintendent or Human Resources.

DSST Public Schools Overview:

DSST Public Schools (DSST) operates a network of tuition-free, open-enrollment public STEM charter schools. DSST schools operate within the Denver Public Schools (DPS) and Aurora Public Schools (APS) districts. Our schools focus on building a community where students and staff are valued for their unique talents. Meaningful relationships are at the core of our model which is why our schools are small enough so that every student is known and valued for their individuality. We have developed systems and structures to ensure our students will be prepared for college, career and life. The student population across the DSST network is 84% students of color and 71% qualify for free and reduced lunch. This year, DSST will serve approximately 6,000 students at fifteen schools on nine campuses across Denver and Aurora.

DSST Public Schools employees support each other not only to have fulfilling careers, but more importantly, to lead fulfilling lives that combines deeply meaningful professional work with personal well-being. Our core values are central to our program and to our results. These values are embedded in everything that we do and how we do it, both for our students and our staff. The six DSST core values are:

Respect - We appreciate each person and their story through our words, actions, and attitudes. We value their unique perspective and treat others with dignity.
Responsibility - We acknowledge that our actions and choices impact ourselves and our community. We take ownership for what we do and how we choose to do it.
Integrity - We act and speak with honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness. We consistently align our words and actions.
Courage - We possess the confidence and resolve to take risks, push ourselves, and persevere in the face of pressure, adversity or unfamiliar circumstances.
Curiosity - We are eager to learn, questions, and explore. We have a thirst for knowledge, a love of investigation, and a desire to learn about ourselves, our community, and our world.
Doing Your Best - We put our best effort into everything we do. We know that individual and collective effort are required for our community to thrive.