Apprentice Teacher (27-28)

New Canaan Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 9 co-ed, independent day school, serves approximately 570 students from diverse backgrounds living in 18 different towns/cities across Fairfield and Westchester counties. Our mission is to create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose.

About the role

The Apprentice Teacher Training Program at New Canaan Country School provides "on the job" training for individuals interested in becoming elementary and middle school teachers. Classroom placements range from kindergarten to sixth grade. Each apprentice works directly alongside a lead teacher, and together, they provide instruction to students in language arts, mathematics, and social studies. For those interested in sports, apprentices have opportunities to coach in the school’s interscholastic athletic program. On Wednesday afternoons, apprentices attend faculty meetings and participate in seminars that address a variety of topics in teaching and education.

This program is uniquely designed to give beginning teachers the experience and training they need to go into leading classrooms of their own. The school provides a stipend of $30,000 to its first-year apprentices (with an increase for each following year of service), and housing is available for a modest fee. There is some financial support for apprentices who wish to begin graduate work. Upon completion of the program, most apprentices either apply for lead teacher positions or enter graduate school.

5 openings available for the 2027-2028 school year.

Placements

• Early Childhood Division: Kindergarten
• Lower School Division: Grades 1-4
• Middle School Division: Grades 5-6

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with Lead Teacher in all aspects of classroom life including:
  • Supporting and modeling positive discipline
  • Preparing and planning curriculum materials
  • Evaluating student work and communication with families
  • Gradually increasing responsibility for teaching students in small and whole groups in all subject areas
• Divisional supervisory responsibilities including:
  • Early Childhood & Lower School: recess supervision, lunch table management, escorting of students to other classrooms, bus coordination
  • Middle School: recess supervision, lunch table management, bus coordination, assistant or lead coaching
• Attend faculty meetings and Professional Development seminars
• Be available Monday-Friday 7:45-4:15 on school days and for some evening events throughout the year

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Successful experience working with children
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in teaching
• Understanding of technology and its applications in schools

Preferred, but not required:

• Interest in coaching or assisting with After School activities
• College or university GPA of 3.0 or above
• Experience with Responsive Classroom approach

Desired Qualities

• Self-reflectiveness
• Collaboration with colleagues
• Communication to multiple audiences
• Comfort with and adaptability in fast-paced environments
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Inexhaustible energy
• A sense of humor
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and fostering of a culture of belonging for our community
• Willingness to be challenged

Pay

$30,000 stipend for first-year apprentices (with an increase for each following year of service). Housing is available for a modest fee.