[School Year 2026-2027] Teaching Fellow

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org. DREAM’s Teaching Fellowship is a selective, rigorous program through which DREAM/Harlem RBI school and program graduates, and current and former part-time staff can train to become teachers at DREAM. During the program, each Fellow works in a classroom under the guidance of a mentor teacher and participates in a cohort experience to support and propel their growth. Fellows receive regular feedback and coaching, all while building the skills necessary to manage a classroom, lead instruction, and meaningfully engage students and families. Additionally, Fellows with a completed bachelor’s degree have the option to work toward New York State teaching certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, supported in part by a scholarship from DREAM. By becoming a DREAM Teaching Fellow, you will grow as an educator and get to immerse yourself in a school community focused on developing the whole child and committed to driving outcomes for the students of East Harlem and the South Bronx. This is an exciting opportunity to launch a rewarding teaching career and drive DREAM’s mission forward for future generations. The DREAM Teaching Fellowship involves working full-time in addition to participating and successfully completing training and demonstrations of learning outside of typically full-time work hours. Fellows earn a competitive salary and benefits and are eligible for significant contributions from DREAM to put toward higher education. DREAM Fellowship graduates commit to teaching at DREAM for at least three years after program completion. The Fellowship is designed to invest in future educators from DREAM’s own communities: priority consideration for Fellowship admission is given to qualified DREAM/Harlem RBI alumni, and current and former part-time staff. Responsibilities

On-The-Job Learning as a DREAM Teaching Fellow (Approx. 40 hours/week)

Under the direction of the mentor teacher, teach lessons with increasing frequency throughout the year; provide small group instruction as well as provide support to individual students to address learning needs and goals;

Internalize and differentiate rigorous and engaging lesson plans; 

Maintain a productive, safe, and focused learning environment and model behavior within the code of conduct and all school policies;

Attend and participate in staff meetings, grade team meetings, intellectual preparation meetings, mentor meetings, and other meetings, as needed;

Participate in school-wide and individual professional development;

Perform duties including, but not limited to, advisory, arrival and dismissal, lunch, assessment proctoring, and class coverage;

Under the supervision of the mentor teacher, may take on responsibilities including but not limited to taking attendance, grading student work, preparing teaching materials, and family communication;

Engage wholeheartedly in building relationships with DREAM fellows, staff, and community members;

Perform other duties as assigned.

Teaching Fellow Professional Development, Training, and Assessment (Approx. 8 hours/month)

Actively participate in DREAM-led professional development and training for Teaching Fellows (held in the afternoons/evenings - exact cadence to be determined);

Meet proficiency on DREAM demonstrations of learning and assessments.

If Fellow is entering the Fellowship without a completed Bachelor’s degree

Successfully enroll in, or remain enrolled in, a bachelor’s-granting undergraduate program

Meet all course registration, billing, and other deadlines required to remain a student in good standing

Ensure coursework does not conflict with Teaching Fellow schedule

Successfully complete all required coursework in order to stay on track towards completion of a bachelor's degree by June 2027;

Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program, and on track for a Bachelor’s degree to be conferred by June 2027 (Pathway 1), OR

Will have at least 90 undergraduate credits by Summer 2026, and the ability to re-enroll in a Bachelor’s degree program (with guidance from DREAM) such that you will be on track for a Bachelor’s degree to be conferred by Summer 2027 (Pathway 1), OR

Bachelor’s degree conferred by June 2026 (Pathway 2)

Ability to work during DREAM school hours and attend Fellowship meetings and professional development outside of school hours;

Experience working with youth, ideally in a youth development or education setting, strongly preferred;

Interest in becoming an elementary school teacher, or a middle or high school math, science, ELA or social studies teacher;

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with youth, families and colleagues;

Ability to effectively manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously;

Eagerness to grow professionally, including openness to receiving feedback and demonstrated ability to implement feedback;

Willing and able to shift tasks and priorities as needed;

A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community;

Priority to DREAM/Harlem RBI Legends*, and current and former youth-facing part-time DREAM staff.

Working Expectations

Being a DREAM Teaching Fellow is a full-time commitment. Exact hours vary and include daytime, evening, and some weekend hours. 

Teaching Fellow start: Early August 2026

Teaching Fellow end: Late June 2027

DREAM Teaching Fellowship graduates commit to teaching at DREAM for at least three years after Fellowship completion.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

We offer comprehensive benefits including:

Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children

The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs

Dental and vision plans

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave 

Flexible spending account options

Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit)

Fitness and entertainment discounts

A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP)

403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure

Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses

Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program

School-based 10-month employees have approximately 40 days off throughout the school year, including holidays, school breaks, personal days and wellness days, in addition to summer break.

Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

The incoming salary for this position is $60,000 per year.

Teaching Fellows also receive:

Promotion to a teaching position at DREAM upon successful Fellowship completion.

Teaching Fellows entering the Fellowship without a completed Bachelor’s degree (Pathway 1) also receive:

Up to $12,450 in DREAM scholarships to complete your bachelor’s degree; Exact amount to be determined after all eligible financial aid and scholarships have been applied;

Eligibility for DREAM’s Tuition Reimbursement policy after 12 months of full-time employment and completion of your bachelor’s degree, which reimburses up to $5,000 per year for tuition and certification costs of approved programs.

Teaching Fellows entering the Fellowship with a completed Bachelor’s degree (Pathway 2) who elect to enroll in Relay Graduate School of Education’s Teacher Pathway + MAT program also receive:

A $12,450 scholarship for year 1 of a Masters Degree at Relay Graduate School of Education;

State certification costs covered, up to $1,000

A $3,855 scholarship for year 2 at Relay GSE upon successful Fellowship year completion and promotion to the Teacher role;

A $7,395 AmeriCorps scholarship, which can be used for year 2 tuition at Relay GSE or to pay back existing eligible loans. Scholarship is dependent upon employee’s completion of all application steps, and on availability of federal funding;

If AmeriCorps or other institutional funding is unavailable: Eligibility for DREAM’s Tuition Reimbursement policy after 12 months of full-time employment, which reimburses up to $5,000 per year for tuition and certification costs of approved programs,.

Teaching Fellows entering the Fellowship with a completed Bachelor’s degree (Pathway 2) who do not enroll at Relay GSE, and instead elect to enroll in a different Masters of Education or job-related program also receive:

Eligibility for DREAM’s Tuition Reimbursement policy upon hire, which reimburses up to $5,000 per year for tuition and certification costs of approved programs.