Apprentice Teacher, Lower Elementary (SY 25-26)

ABOUT MERIDIAN PCS

Meridian is a PreK-8th grade school located in Washington DC’s vibrant U Street Corridor. Our mission is to inspire a passion for learning in our students and to help them build their self-confidence and self-respect through academic achievement. As one of the oldest public charter schools in the city, our campuses support about 600 racially and ethnically diverse students from all wards of Washington, DC. Approximately 25% of our students are English language learners (multilingual learners). One-third of students live in the surrounding neighborhood and approximately 50% live in Ward 1. Meridian’s elementary PreK-5th grade campus is located in DC’s vibrant U Street Corridor. Meridian’s middle school campus, grades 6-8, is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Meridian draws on the strengths of our neighborhood and our partnerships with community organizations to support our students and families. The city is our classroom; as an emerging EL Education school, we prepare our students to be active citizens and create a better world. Through language learning, a rich and rigorous curriculum, and the schoolwide values of curiosity, respect, resilience, and leadership, we support students in achieving their highest aspirations.

Join us as we continue to take Meridian from good to great! For additional information about Meridian visit mpcs-dc.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking an Apprentice Teacher to work with our lower elementary students for the 2025-26 school year. Apprentice Teachers are a full-time, salaried, 10-month position.

Apprentice Teachers are responsible for assisting Lead Teachers to ensure students' academic achievement as well as contributing to a dynamic and rigorous school culture. They assist in responding to student data, providing small group and individualized instruction, and substituting for teachers when needed. Apprentice Teachers monitor and sustain a rigorous curriculum and high standards learning environment that focuses on achieving dramatic improvement in student academic achievement.

Apprentice Teachers have a variety of responsibilities that include, but not limited to the following:

• Assist in educational and social development of scholars under the guidance and supervision of the Lead Teachers
• Help maintain student and classroom organization
• Assist in the implementation of the lesson plans
• Aid in the execution of bathroom, food service and recreational duties
• Substitute teach when a teacher is absent
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have the following qualifications and embody the following qualities:

• Apprentice Teachers must comply with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ("NCLB") which requires that all apprentice teachers or paraprofessionals working in Title I schools must be "highly qualified." In order to be "highly qualified" under Section 1119 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, instructional paraprofessionals must have a high school diploma or General Educational Development ("GED"), and must meet one of the following requirements:
  • Possess an associate's degree from an accredited college/university, or
  • Complete two years of full-time study (minimum 60 credit hours) at an accredited college/university
  • Successfully complete the ETS ParaPro Assessment with a passing score of at least 461
• Possess a commitment to educating students for academic achievement and empowering students to make healthy lifestyle choices
• Believe in the capacity of every student for high academic achievement and a commitment to creating a highly structured, effective, and fun learning environment

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Meridian teachers and staff are compensated competitively for their time and have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership opportunities at the school level, offering extracurricular clubs and sports for students, and facilitating tutoring programs. We publish the salary scales for Apprentice Teachers here.

HOW TO APPLY

Do you embody a love of learning? Do you believe in the importance of educating the whole child? Do you want to help Meridian continue to grow from good to great? Apply today!

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Meridian Public Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The School’s EEO policy prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Meridian PCS prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability. Under this policy, equal employment opportunity is required in recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, termination, compensation, benefits, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as required by applicable law.