STEM Apprentice Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
DSST Public Schools
POSITION: STEM Apprentice Teacher (2025-2026 School Year)
GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions
SUBJECT: Apprenticeship available in Math, Science, & STEM Elective classrooms
LOCATION: Hiring at multiple locations. You can find more information about our different campuses here.
SALARY: $46,000 with a $4,000 scholarship to the Relay Graduate School of Education. Possibilities for up to $25,000 extra pay through Student Educator Stipend Program and substitute teaching. Finally we also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!
STATUS: Full time school year (fixed term), benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position
START DATE: ATs in Relay GSE attend a week-long intensive in mid-July. The first day of DSST new staff training is at the end of July. You can view the current School Year Calendar here.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Launch your teaching career with a team of extraordinary educators! DSST’s STEM 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 have your license and the option of pursuing a Master’s in Art in Teaching at a heavily subsidized rate. Our goal is at the end of this gradual year-long experience, you will have the confidence and opportunity to lead your own classroom within our network.
Your primary responsibility is to learn!
Shadow an assigned Mentor Teacher
Observe various DSST Teachers
Practice teaching real classes
Get direct feedback from Mentor Teacher
Participate in school and network provided development
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. Explore many of our possible additional duties here.
Please note that this is a 11-month program (July 2024-June 2026), and we are looking for aspiring educators who can commit to the length of the program in its entirety.
Apprentice Teacher Sample Schedule
This is an example and will vary depending on your campus placement, mentor teacher, and content area. Most middle and high school teachers teach the same content to 3-4 different groups of students per day.
Mentor: 7th Grade Science Teacher. Date: Mid-September
8:20-8:50: Co-lead Homeroom, focusing on your advisory of 15 students
8:53-10:05: Meet with mentor to review the day’s lesson & prep materials
10:08-11:20: Observe as mentor teaches 7th Grade Science class
11:20-11:50: Lunch duty - supervise cafeteria
11:53-1:05: Observe 15 min as mentor teaches 7th Grade Science, then observe an 8th Grade Science class for remainder of period
1:09-2:21: Eat lunch & debrief with mentor about what you observed. Get ready to teach beginning of last period
2:24-3:36: Teach first 15 minutes of 7th Grade Science class, then observe mentor for remainder of period
3:36-4:00: Students dismissed - organize classwork that was turned in & make copies for tomorrow
Key Differences between Apprentice Teachers and Lead Teachers:
In the beginning of the Apprentice Teaching experience, the Apprentice Teacher will be observing and supporting their mentor (lead teacher) in their classroom, as well as likely managing a small advisory group. Lead Teachers assume full responsibility for long term planning, daily planning; assessment creation, data analysis, or behavior management. Through an intentional gradual release, the Apprentice Teacher will transition to managing more of these lead teacher components 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 responsibility of a classroom in the following school year as a lead teacher.
STEM Apprentice Teacher Pathway & Relay GSE
DSST Apprentice Teachers commit to the Relay GSE Residency Program (licensure and master's degree pathway). For math and science teaching candidates, this preferred partner program is aligned with DSST’s core teaching practices and is highly regarded by our DSST Apprentice Teacher alums. More information can be found here.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A completed Bachelor’s Degree (any major) prior to start date
Passion for Math, Science, or other STEM-related subjects
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
A plan and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of your content area (Math or Science) by September 1, 2025.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
Any experience working with youth ages 11-18
Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students
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”.
INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS
For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! 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 and benefits highlight guide to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.
Some Highlights:
Excellent Healthcare Plan: We encourage you to check out our benefits guide to see the ways we are committed to the wellness of our staff. We are always looking to improve how we care and, through staff feedback, we’ve been able to implement innovative new benefits such as Fertility Benefits as well as staffing a Mental Health Counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST Staff.
Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy 11+ weeks off per year + paid PTO (from Day 1!)
Career Development: In addition to weekly coaching from a designated coach, you’ll have access to internal training and development pathways designed by our Professional Development & Training Team as well as external development opportunities.
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.