4th Grade Apprentice Teacher

About the role

We are looking for life-long learners passionate about shaping students' hearts and minds. Join Great Hearts Academies, a growing network of 49 public, open-enrollment, tuition-free classical schools in Phoenix (AZ), Baton Rouge (LA), Dallas/Ft. Worth (TX), and San Antonio (TX). Great Hearts currently provides over 30,000 K-12 students with access to a high quality, classical liberal arts education. We believe the highest goal of education is to become good, intellectually and morally. The position is located at Great Hearts Northern Oaks Lower School (17223 Jones Maltsberger Rd., San Antonio, TX 78247). As a K-5 Teaching Assistant, you support the lead teacher in the implementation of a rich Core Knowledge curriculum; a bachelor’s degree is not required for this role. As an Apprentice Teacher, you function as a second teacher in the classroom without shouldering the burden of all planning, grading/evaluation, and parent communications, learning the craft of teaching through mentorship with a Master Teacher in a classical, liberal arts primary‑school environment. Many Apprentice Teachers become lead teachers at lower or upper schools (assuming a bachelor’s degree).

Responsibilities

• Support and advance the mission of Great Hearts by contributing to a respectful, intellectually vibrant school community.
• Collaborate with teachers to support instruction, student learning, and daily classroom activities.
• Uphold school policies and promote an orderly, professional learning environment.
• Participate in faculty meetings, school events, conferences, and assigned duties.
• Pursue ongoing professional growth and a deepening knowledge of the classical tradition.

Requirements

• Associate's or bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
• Some locations (e.g., Title I schools) may require assistant teachers to have an AA, 60 hours of college credit, or be able to pass a ParaPro proficiency exam before beginning work.
• U.S. work authorization is required.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.
• Travel required: may need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

• Exceptional benefits (medical, dental, vision, etc.) with minimal employee cost.
• Texas Retirement System.
• Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, including great books seminars with academy colleagues, leadership and special education coursework/pathways, and reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities.