Elementary Apprentice Teacher (SY 26-27)

About Us

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing nearly 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers. As an organization, we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

About You

Explore Schools is seeking passionate and dedicated educators to join our faculty. You have some experience working with children but may have limited or no experience leading a classroom. You are interested in contributing to an environment where you can prioritize student engagement, critical thinking, and relationship building in the classroom. The most successful teachers in our network love challenges, collaboration, and building meaningful relationships with all students. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results
• Strong classroom management skills: you can set high expectations in the classroom and keep scholars engaged
• Exceptional communication skills: you shine in front of the classroom and through written and verbal communication
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Experience working with children preferred
• Bachelor's degree required

Responsibilities

This role will work as a support teacher in one classroom while refining skills under the guidance of an experienced teacher. The Apprentice Teacher will receive professional development in many aspects of teaching, including classroom management, planning standards-aligned lessons, and delivering rigorous instruction that puts the cognitive load on students. As an Apprentice Teacher, you will be expected to manage the following daily:

• Serve as the lead teacher for one period of instruction each day
• Support the mentor teacher throughout all instructional blocks
• Lead small group instruction across core content areas and/or grade levels, and build up to teaching 1 whole-group-lesson daily
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings including PLCs, grade-level meetings, and PD sessions
• Collaborate with colleagues across content areas and grade levels
• Participate in creating, revising, administering, and grading assessments
• Keep accurate and organized records of student information
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences as needed, as well as ongoing parent communication
• Ensure the safety of students at all times
• Assist with non-instructional supervision of students, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch and playground duty, or supervision of extracurricular activities
• Support with occasional coverage and substitute teaching as needed
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations in order to dismantle white supremacy culture

Benefits

Explore Schools offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Benefits include:

• Dental and vision plans
• Employer-paid disability and life insurance
• Parental leave benefits
• Flexible spending account options
• Generous vacation time and paid holidays
• Professional development and continuing education scholarships
• Referral bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Childcare assistance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching

Additional benefits for school-based staff:

• Weekly professional development, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Scholarship funds towards qualifying New York State certification costs, higher education tuition, and professional development
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week

Pay

The salary range for an incoming Apprentice Teacher is $55,000 annually for the 2026-27 school year. This range is our good faith estimate at the time of posting. We also offer a variety of additional compensation opportunities including pay for additional time worked.

Location and Physical Requirements

Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in the Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. This role requires in-person work and is exempt, meaning it is not eligible for overtime.

The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more. This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and move quickly in an emergency.