Pre-K Apprentice Teacher

Uncommon Schools; New York (NY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Training & development

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Uncommon Schools seeks an enthusiastic Pre-K teacher to cultivate curiosity and a love of learning in our students from the start. The role emphasizes a CARE culture, team teaching, and strong family partnerships while supporting academic foundations for college readiness.

You will co-teach with a lead and apprentice teacher, engage in ongoing professional development, and contribute to a nurturing classroom environment that values respect, hard work, and community involvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Experience in urban schools or communities is preferred but not required.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, especially with children.

Responsibilities

• Co-teach and create a joyful, student-centered classroom environment.
• Lead literacy, math, science, and social studies instruction.
• Collaborate with a teaching partner and grade level team on goals and strategies.
• Analyze student work and assessments with the director to tailor instruction.

Skills

Time management

Teamwork

Communication with children

Problem solving

Adaptable

Reflective

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

Uncommon Pre-K Teachers cultivate a love for learning in every student from the very start. Our teachers and students engage in a learning environment that fosters curiosity, achievement, respect, and empathy (CARE). Our classrooms are engaging, intentional and playful. We have built a community where teachers encourage our core values of respect and hard work while celebrating the uniqueness of each student and laying the academic foundations that carry students to and through college. Our classrooms are led by teaching teams that consist of a lead teacher and apprentice teacher.

Instruction

• You’ll co-teach and build an engaging and joyful classroom environment that encourages mastery and empowers students to learn through exploration and purposeful play.
• You’ll co-teach literacy (phonics, language development, vocabulary, and writing), mathematics, core knowledge (science and social studies).
• The teaching team (lead & apprentice teachers) work together to facilitate our free-choice centers and small group instruction.

Data Analysis

• You’ll meet weekly with your director to analyze and respond to trends in student work samples and assessments.
• You’ll learn and implement strategies to differentiate instruction for all learners in your classroom.

Classroom Culture

• Implement instructional model and collaborate with instructional coach/director to ensure students are achieving academic goals
• Use multiple data sources (assessments, classroom quality observations, and other data collections) to make day‑by‑day decisions about instruction (reflective)
• Provide early-learning experiences that contribute to children’s positive feelings about school, teachers, and their communities (nurturing)
• Support children’s development across social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and academic competencies (balanced)
• Apply a variety of strategies to promote both concept and skill development
• Provide modeling and support for children’s expressive and receptive language throughout the school day

School Culture

• You’ll build positive relationships with students to ensure they feel seen, loved, and heard.
• You’ll partner with students’ families to ensure appropriate resources are available to support their children’s learning needs.
• You’ll engage in practice-based professional development, mentorship, and coaching sessions.
• You’ll support morning arrival, lunch duty, student assemblies, class transitions, and after‑school dismissal.
• You’ll participate in weekly, school‑wide meetings to foster community, model our core values, and encourage student achievement.
• You’ll partner with your teaching partner and grade level team to develop academic goals and practice instructional strategies.

Qualifications

• Drive to improve the minds and lives of students in and out of the classroom
• Evidence of self‑motivation, willingness to be a team player, and has a strong sense of personal responsibility;
• Ideal candidates are hard‑working, urgent, energetic, and are willing to learn and adapt;
• Is extremely reflective and constantly wants to improve;
• Is flexible and enjoys dealing with unpredictability;
• Strong time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines;
• A strong candidate will possess strong organizational skills, communication skills (particularly with children), and problem solving skills;
• Interest in performing a critical support role and the ability to excel in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial, results‑oriented environment;
• Prior experience working in schools and/or urban communities is preferred but not required;
• Relentless commitment to mission of educating urban students. Belief in and alignment with Uncommon’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non‑negotiable.
• Required:
  • Bachelor’s Degree

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is $60,000.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].