Associate Teacher

***Launch your teaching career while making a meaningful impact with Springfield students. Our paid, full-time Associate Teacher Program combines daily classroom experience with regular coaching, professional development, and support toward becoming qualified to teach in Massachusetts.***

About the Associate Teacher Program

The Associate Teacher Program is designed for aspiring educators who want to build the skills and confidence to become excellent classroom teachers. No formal teacher preparation is required. Over the course of the year, Associate Teachers take on increasing responsibility while learning alongside experienced educators and contributing to student learning every day.

Placement Options

Candidates apply once and indicate the placements that interest them. Final placements are based on candidate interests, experience, and school needs.

• Lower Elementary (Grades K-2)
• Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5)
• Middle School Humanities (Grades 6-8)
• Middle School STEM (Grades 6-8)

What the program provides

• Weekly one-on-one coaching and frequent feedback from experienced educators.
• Weekly professional development and team meeting time built into the schedule. Students dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays to make this possible.
• A gradual approach to classroom leadership, with opportunities to observe, practice, receive feedback, and take on more responsibility over time.
• A free Sheltered English Immersion course, along with MTEL preparation resources and financial assistance for licensure exams.
• Curriculum, planning resources, and collaboration with classroom teachers, instructional leaders, and student support staff.

What you will do as an Associate Teacher 

• Teach targeted small-group lessons for students who need additional support or challenge.
• Support classroom instruction and take on increasing teaching responsibilities as your skills develop.
• Lead classes when teachers are absent or attending meetings so students continue to receive consistent instruction.
• Collaborate with teachers to meet the needs of all students, including multilingual learners and students with learning differences.
• Build strong relationships with students and families and contribute to classrooms with high expectations and a sense of belonging.
• Lead assigned lunch, recess, arrival, dismissal, and other school duties.
• Actively seek feedback, apply new learning, and work toward readiness for a lead teaching or instructional support role.

Who should apply

• We welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, including recent college graduates, career changers, paraprofessionals, tutors, youth-development professionals, and others who are ready to begin a career in education. You may be a strong fit if you are:
• Committed to helping Springfield students meet ambitious academic goals.
• Excited to learn through practice and eager to receive direct, regular feedback.
• Reliable, collaborative, and ready to contribute wherever students and the school need support.
• Interested in becoming a lead classroom teacher or joining a Special Education or English Learner team after developing your practice.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree earned by the start of the school year.
• Availability to begin in early August and work the full school schedule, generally 7:25 a.m.–3:50 p.m.
• Experience working with children through employment, internships, student teaching, tutoring, coaching, or volunteer work is preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

The starting salary for the 2027–2028 school year is $50,000. This is a full-time, fully benefited position. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and generous paid family medical leave.

Our Commitment to a Diverse Staff

Our students and community are diverse, and we believe our school is strongest when our staff reflects the identities and experiences of the students we serve. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and identities to apply.