2026-2027 Lower Elementary School Apprentice Teacher

Lower Elementary School Apprentice Teacher

(2026 - 2027 School Year)

Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School

Brooklyn, New York

What is the Role?

The Apprentice Teacher position is designed specifically for recent college graduates and career changers who are looking for an innovative pathway into the teaching profession. In collaboration with the Relay Graduate School of Education (GSE) Teaching Residency program, Coney Island Prep (CIP) offers aspiring educators a unique opportunity to receive their Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and NYS Certification in two years.

Apprenticeship is contingent upon acceptance into Relay GSE. You will gain valuable teaching experience in K, 1st, and 2nd grade while receiving professional development throughout the school year. The total cost of your degree is highly subsidized through AmeriCorps grants and financial aid from CIP bringing the out of pocket cost to $2,000 annually for a two year masters degree (32 credits) and $3,000 annually for a two year Special Education masters (39 credits). Additionally, CIP supports their Apprentice Teachers through a schedule that accommodates Relay classes. 

For more information on Relay GSE, please visit the website at www.relay.edu.

What You’ll Be Asked To Do

• Practice internalizing standards-aligned curriculum and content and on a weekly basis, even if you're not teaching


• Co-teach or teach academically rigorous and culturally relevant lesson plans, materials, and assessments, and differentiate as needed; co-teach or teach content areas such as social studies, STEM, ELA, Special Education, or electives


• Teach one on one, small group or whole classes with up to 30 scholars 


• Observe and assist your Mentor Teacher in their classroom; attend weekly check-ins with your Mentor Teacher; increase classroom leadership throughout the academic year


• Work with your Mentor Teacher to analyze instructional and culture data to action plan and improve your teaching practice to strengthen student outcomes


• Learn school-wide technologies such as attendance and observation platforms, Excel, and…. 


• Communicate effectively with all scholars, their families, and staff


• Commit to a culture of consistently implementing school-wide systems, structures, procedures and feedback


• Eradicate the effects of racism, poverty and other forms of oppression in our school community by making resources, opportunities, support systems, and classrooms equitable and accessible for all our stakeholders


• Be proactive in creating a positive, structured, results-oriented, and fun learning environment that supports the needs of students with various abilities and experiences


• Participate in school community responsibilities such as lunch duty, dismissal and hallway duties, whole-school events, daily homeroom, bi-weekly advisory groups, weekly content team meetings, whole-staff professional development, lesson internalization and practice, and weekly grade team meetings

What You’ll Need

• Passion for education and a dedication to Coney Island Prep’s mission, beliefs, and values and its commitment to anti-racism 


• Steadfast belief that all students can achieve at the highest academic levels and deserve an opportunity to succeed in the college and career of their choice


• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale; official transcripts for Relay GSE’s application 


• Experience with Google Suite, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and flat panels 


• Cultural competencies and a willingness to examine your beliefs and biases across lines of difference


• Culturally responsive and age appropriate conflict resolution skills


• Proven organizational, oral, and written communication skills; timeliness; accuracy; and consistent and regular communication; and ability to meet deadlines for deliverables


• Self-reflective and open to feedback from key stakeholders across the organization, with the ambition and desire to grow and develop; curiosity and the tendency to ask questions of your colleagues in order to learn and improve


• A positive, solution-oriented attitude and drive for excellence


• Eagerness to work collaboratively with your Mentor Teacher, grade teams, and coach


• A strong track record of building positive relationships with families, students and staff, while demonstrating value towards diversity and inclusivity

Who are we?

Coney Island Prep Lower Elementary School blends joy, rigor, and high expectations to ensure our 320 scholars in K-2 are ready to succeed. With two teachers in every classroom, smaller teacher to student ratios help accelerate learning and allow for tailored instruction for each scholar. We leverage a research-backed approach to teach the science of reading and focus heavily on phonics instruction, word recognition, vocabulary, background knowledge and comprehension skills, to cultivate our young learners’ strong reading abilities from the moment they step into our building.

Commitment to Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Coney Island Prep is committed to building a team that collectively reflects the various backgrounds, experiences, and identities of our scholars. We recognize and respond to different points of access, so that everyone maximizes their highest potential. We also recognize that because of institutionalized racism and systemic oppression, historically marginalized groups are at a disadvantage when it comes to most application and hiring processes. We want to ensure that all candidates, regardless of their identity, are able to demonstrate their qualifications and are not limited by a lack of opportunity or access. We are committed to creating a space where everyone’s identity is acknowledged, respected, and welcomed. We are intentional about creating an environment where people feel comfortable being their authentic selves at work by constantly examining our organization culture and challenging our traditions.

Benefits and Compensation

• Apprentice Teachers at Coney Island Prep are provided with salaries that are competitive and set through a lens of equity. The salary for this role is $61,250.


• As a regular full time employee of Coney Island Prep, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and Paid Family Leave.


• Staff are provided with a MacBook Air and access to all the necessary technology and resources needed to succeed in their role.

Are you “All In?” Our 2025-2026 school year starts August 2026 and Relay courses begin early Summer 2026. To apply, head to our Careers Page!

Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, national origin, citizenship or disability. We want Coney Island Prep to be a place where students and staff of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities feel as though they are valued and can excel.