Apprentice Teacher 2026 - 2027

Apprentice Teacher

The Academy for Integrated Arts (AFIA) is an innovative, arts integrated school. Our school community is reflective, dedicated and caring. The unique vision of AFIA embraces arts instruction integrated into the core curriculum as a meaningful part of what students do every day. Additionally, instruction is from a strong constructivist viewpoint and is delivered with developmentally appropriate practices. AFIA is a fantastic community in which to work with an emphasis on teacher leadership. AFIA is a true learning community, as everyone in the building, from students to staff engage in reflective, meaningful learning on a daily basis. To learn more, go to www.afiakc.org. 

As an organization, we are committed to teacher growth and development. To this end, we have an apprentice teaching program for individuals who are interested in being teachers, but are not yet certified or in their final stages of the certification program. Apprentice teachers are paired with a certified mentor teacher in a co-teaching model and paid a stipend. This program is open to individuals engaged in their student teaching experience for the 2026-2027 school year if they are able to meet the following requirements:

• Commit to at least four days in the field during the first semester and five days during the second semester


• Participate in back to school professional development beginning August 1, 2026


• Demonstrate that their teacher education program supports this placement for the 2026-2027 school year


• Commit to teaching at AFIA after their student teaching year, if the candidate and AFIA agree that the position is a good fit


• Demonstrate a willingness to engage in continual job-embedded professional development related to all areas of teaching and learning, including the qualifications listed below
  

Qualifications
Teachers of AFIA will:

• Demonstrate a commitment to teaching students who are traditionally underserved


• Value the power of school in changing and improving children’s lives by constructing student-centered learning opportunities


• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and an ability to create a classroom environment in which all students and community members feel a sense of belonging


• Have a strong understanding of and ability to implement constructivism


• Value the presence and the voice of students’ families as partners in the school


• Have excellent communication skills


• Be able to work collaboratively with others in a team environment


• Be a reflective practitioner with a strong personal commitment to ongoing learning and growth


• Be willing to grow in his/her ability to implement the arts throughout the curriculum


• Plan and deliver differentiated instruction in whole classroom settings, as well as in small groups, based on continual student assessment and specific students’ needs


• Collaborate with the art/music teachers and community partners to integrate arts across the curriculum


• Demonstrate ethical behavior, including understanding the importance of confidentiality of information about students and teachers in the school environment and community.


• Engage in powerful, productive partnerships with families and students to ensure that instruction meets the needs of all students


• Demonstrate an understanding and ability to implement inquiry-based, project learning


• Participate in continual, intensive job-embedded professional development


• Demonstrate an excellent work ethic, flexibility and positive attitude


• As an apprentice teacher, the candidate must be actively working towards appropriate certification (Early Childhood, Elementary or Special Education Missouri Certification)

Start Date: August, 2026
Application Deadline:  The priority deadline for this position is March 13, 2026. We plan to begin interviews the week of March 23. 
To Apply:  Submit resume, brief cover letter, and 3 references. 

Questions about the position can be directed to the Executive Director, Tricia DeGraff at [email protected]. 
Compensation:  Stipend