Apprentice Teacher - Ponderosa Middle School - 5 positions available- Starting the 2026-2027 School Year

Klamath Falls City Schools • Klamath Falls, OR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Klamath Falls City Schools is seeking motivated, student-centered individuals to serve as Apprentice Teachers at Ponderosa Middle School. This groundbreaking position is designed to create a new pathway into the teaching profession by providing aspiring educators with daily classroom experience, intensive support and coaching, hands-on instructional practice, and meaningful mentorship from experienced teachers and school leaders. Apprentice Teachers work alongside classroom teachers and administrators to support student learning, strengthen instructional systems, and gain real-world experience in the profession of teaching. This is a unique opportunity for individuals considering a future career in education who want to develop their skills in a highly supportive, team-oriented environment while making a direct impact on students each day. As part of this innovative initiative, Apprentice Teachers will help support one of the first comprehensive school redesign efforts of its kind in Oregon while simultaneously building skills and experience that can launch a long-term career in education. Apprentice Teachers are embedded within the daily instructional program and provide support in classroom instruction, small-group intervention, student engagement, classroom organization, and continuity of instruction when teachers are absent. The position is intentionally designed to develop future educators, strengthen school instructional support systems, increase stability and consistency for students, and create meaningful career pathways into education. Apprentice Teachers will receive ongoing coaching, feedback, professional learning, and mentorship from experienced teachers and administrators throughout the school year. This is more than a traditional educational assistant or substitute role. Apprentice Teachers will gain meaningful classroom teaching experience, receive mentorship and instructional coaching from experienced educators, participate in ongoing professional learning, develop instructional and classroom management skills, and build a strong foundation for entering the teaching profession. This position is intentionally designed to help develop the next generation of educators while directly supporting students and classrooms today.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Candidates do not need to hold a teaching license at the time of application.
• Selected candidates must be eligible for appropriate authorization through the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), which may include a district-sponsored District Substitute Teaching License.
• This pathway does not require a bachelor’s degree but does require district sponsorship and includes assignment limitations under TSPC rules.
• Must meet all district employment requirements
• Pre-Employment Drug Screen
• Background Investigation

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree or college coursework preferred
• Experience working with children or adolescents preferred
• Interest in pursuing a career in education strongly preferred
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers and administrators
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality
• Interest in becoming an educator
• Positive attitude and growth mindset
• Strong work ethic and reliability
• Ability to connect with students
• Willingness to learn and accept feedback
• Commitment to supporting student success
• Flexibility and teamwork

Responsibilities

• Support classroom instruction under the direction of licensed staff
• Work with students individually and in small groups
• Assist with instructional routines and classroom engagement strategies
• Support implementation of schoolwide instructional systems
• Help maintain structured, supportive classroom environments
• Build positive relationships with students
• Support student engagement and participation during instruction
• Assist students during intervention and reteach opportunities
• Support positive behavior systems and classroom expectations
• Provide short-term classroom coverage when appropriately authorized, helping increase consistency for students and reduce reliance on outside substitutes
• Support classroom readiness and organization
• Assist with instructional materials and classroom preparation
• Help ensure students remain engaged in learning throughout the school day
• Participate in ongoing coaching and professional learning
• Receive feedback and mentorship from teachers and administrators
• Develop instructional, organizational, and classroom management skills
• Engage in reflective practice and continuous improvement

Benefits

• Generous Health, dental, and vision contribution from the district, currently up to $2277 (based upon family coverage), prorated based upon FTE.
• PERS Retirement: The district assumes and pays the 6% average employee contribution to the Oregon PERS system.
• Student loan forgiveness for those who qualify.
• Teacher mentoring program for teachers new to the profession.
• Opportunity to work with a diverse student population.
• District-supported child care is available.
• Work in a highly supportive environment
• Access to classroom technology including interactive white board, document cameras, and chromebooks
• Ongoing Professional Development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED