K-3 Assistant Teacher

Great Hearts Academies; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401K matching

Professional development

Job summary

Great Hearts Academies seeks a dedicated Assistant/Apprentice Teacher to support lead teachers in delivering the Core Knowledge curriculum. This role emphasizes mentorship and a clear path to leadership within a classical liberal arts environment.

No bachelor’s degree is required for the Apprentice track, and the position prioritizes collaboration, professional growth, and a respectful, intellectually vibrant school community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree not required for Apprentice Teacher track.
• AA, 60 hours college credit, or ParaPro exam may be required in some locations.
• Background check and fingerprint clearance required before starting.

Responsibilities

• Support lead teacher in implementing a Core Knowledge curriculum.
• Act as a second teacher in the classroom, not responsible for all planning.
• Learn teaching craft through mentorship with a Master Teacher.
• Collaborate with teachers to support instruction and daily activities.
• Attend faculty meetings and school events; pursue professional growth.

Skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Adaptability

Liberal arts knowledge

Education

Associate degree

60 college credits

ParaPro exam

Job description

Position Title: Assistant/Apprentice Teacher
Department: Instructional

Location: Great Hearts Lake Charles (1500 Country Club Rd)

Reports To: Headmaster

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.

Distinctive benefits for Great Hearts faculty :

• Exceptional Benefits (medical, dental, vision etc.) with minimal employee cost
• Matching 401K program
• Uniquely valuable professional development offerings, from great books seminars with academy colleagues, to leadership and special education coursework/pathways, to reduced tuition graduate degree support with select partner universities

Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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
• Through mentorship with a Master Teacher, you learn the craft of teaching in a classical, liberal arts, primary-school environment.
• Many of our Apprentice Teachers become lead teachers at either lower or upper schools (assuming a bachelor’s degree).
• 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.

Required/Preferred Education:

• 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 ParaProfessional proficiency exam before beginning work.

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.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.