Apprentice Teacher

Meridian Public Charter School • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Meridian Public Charter School is seeking an Apprentice Teacher for SY26-27. The Apprentice Teacher works alongside a special education classroom teacher to instruct elementary school students in a self-contained classroom of fewer than 10 students. The role provides classroom, resource-center, and other school-area support, including student supervision, direct student support, and instructional assistance in a specialized setting.

Under the classroom teacher’s supervision, the Apprentice Teacher helps plan and deliver lessons to individuals, small groups, and the whole class; observes students and records anecdotal notes; supports assessment and student plans; and helps maintain classroom materials, records, and a safe learning environment. The role also assists with physical and occupational therapy and speech, language, vision, and hearing support programs, including helping students with gross and fine motor activities, feeding, and toileting. Additional duties include lunchroom support, communicating with school community members, assisting with classroom setup and administration, attending assigned meetings, and performing other duties assigned by administration.

Meridian describes its environment as collaborative and mission-driven, with clear expectations, intentional support, ongoing professional development and instructional coaching, thoughtful onboarding, and opportunities for leadership. Compensation is based on the school’s teacher salary scale and depends on experience and education; additional income opportunities may be available through school leadership, extracurricular activities, and tutoring programs. Meridian is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability and passion for working with students and families from diverse backgrounds and with special needs.
• Meet the federal NCLB 'highly qualified' requirements for instructional paraprofessionals: hold a high school diploma or GED and satisfy at least one of the following: possess an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university; complete two years of full-time study (at least 60 credit hours) at an accredited college or university; or pass the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a score of at least 461.
• At least one year of experience working with students with special needs and/or providing middle school classroom support.
• Commitment to educating students for academic achievement and empowering them to make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Belief in every student’s capacity for high academic achievement and commitment to creating a highly structured, effective, and engaging learning environment.
• Experience with small-group instruction.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in planning and implementing daily lessons and reinforce learning individually, in small groups, or with the whole class.
• Implement instructional programs and lesson plans under the classroom teacher’s supervision to support students’ academic progress.
• Plan lessons and deliver instruction to students in whole-group, small-group, or one-on-one settings under the classroom teacher’s supervision.
• Observe students and take anecdotal notes to inform planning, grouping, classroom setup, and assessment.
• Administer tests, homework, make-up work, and other assignments to support instruction.
• Communicate with teachers to assist in evaluating student progress and implementing IEP objectives, 504 plans, or other student plans and trackers.
• Maintain classroom equipment, work areas, and manual and electronic files and records.
• Support classroom teachers and other school personnel in implementing curriculum and teaching methodologies.
• Assist physical and occupational therapy, speech and language, vision, and hearing support programs.
• Assist students with gross and fine motor activities, including feeding and toileting.
• Assist with lunchroom duties, including carrying and organizing meal trays and cleaning up meals.
• Respond to inquiries from teachers, parents, administrators, students, and others to resolve issues or provide information and direction.
• Actively monitor students in classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, school grounds, hallways, restrooms, and on field trips to provide a safe and positive learning environment.
• Help maintain accurate classroom, grade-level, and student records.
• Help classroom teachers organize, set up, and arrange classroom space and the learning environment.
• Provide administrative support to the classroom teacher.
• Attend student, grade-level, content-level, and school meetings as assigned by administration or a designee.
• Perform other duties assigned by administration.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits within the DC public charter landscape.
• Ongoing professional development and instructional coaching.
• Opportunities to earn additional income through school-level leadership, extracurricular clubs and sports, and tutoring programs.
• Reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities upon request.

What This Job Offers

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