THE POSITION

We are seeking a dynamic, curious, collaborative individual interested in exploring a career in education to join Hawken Upper School, starting in the 2026-27 school year as a Teaching Apprentice. At the heart of our model is the idea that you learn while doing–so you’ll get coaching and support as you learn how to teach and support students in ways aligned to Hawken’s Hawken’s purpose, promise, and principles. This two-year program is designed to help you develop and cultivate your skills as a teacher and launch your career as an educator.

ABOUT US

Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,550 students from toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland provide a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment. 

This position is for our Upper School, located in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland and situated on over 300 acres featuring sprawling lawns, wooded trails, and both modern and historic buildings. To execute the school’s forward-focused missions, Stirn Hall - Hawken’s state-of-the-art academic building - offers expansive classroom space and common spaces, fabrication and media labs, a science wing, a learning commons, a writing center, and more. The adjacent building known as the White House serves as the primary dining facility at Hawken’s Gates Mills campus and is a stunning reminder of Hawken’s historic charm. 

The Gates Mills campus also features an expansive athletic complex that includes two gymnasiums, one of the best competitive swimming pools in Ohio, a weight room, and a wrestling room. Surrounding grounds include eight tennis courts, a stadium, a track, artificial turf fields, and a high and low ropes course with 15 separate challenges. 

To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu. 

THE JOURNEY

The teaching apprenticeship is designed as a two-year experience. As you onboard and learn our methods and approaches, you’ll take increasing responsibility under the guidance of our faculty. You’ll also bring your unique set of strengths to all aspects of school life, in the classroom, in our  Advisory program, and in co-curriculars. 

Within one month, you’ll: 

• Learn how our model of teaching & learning works 
• Participate in an all-school onboarding experience designed to connect you to colleagues across Hawken 

Within three months, you’ll: 

• Co-teach one of our courses, including participating in planning sessions and helping with implementation in the classroom 
• Take leadership of one or more learning experiences and co-curricular offerings for students including Intensives, clubs, teams, and affinity groups 
• Engage and reflect with colleagues and mentors on an ongoing basis about your learning, growth, and development
• Gain hands-on training to support your work in counseling and advising students 

Within six months, you’ll: 

• Lead teach or co-teach multiple courses 
• Take leadership of one or more learning experiences and co-curricular offerings for students including Intensives, clubs, teams, and affinity groups 
• Continue to engage and reflect with colleagues and mentors on an ongoing basis about your learning, growth, and development 

This position will require training in summer 2026, including a full-time start on August 1, 2026. The program is designed to conclude in June 2028. 

INTERESTED? 

Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to: upperschoolemployment@hawken.edu. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line.

Hawken School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.

• Wildly enthusiastic about mentoring and coaching adolescents 
• Skilled communicator and listener who enjoys working in a highly collaborative environment 
• Intellectually curious, self-directed, and motivated learner with a wide range of interests and skills, academic and otherwise 
• Committed to active, ongoing development of intercultural competence
• Philosophically aligned with the mission of Hawken School 
• Able to operate in ambiguity and ready to roll up your sleeves and jump in to do what the team needs 
• Significant depth of knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
• Chemistry 
• Physics 
• Biology 
• Computational Thinking and Coding 
• Engineering 
• Neuroscience 
• Environmental Science 
• Public Health 
• Medicine 
• Math and Data Analytics

About Hawken School

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. This means developing an inclusive and accepting community where adults feel empowered to design educational experiences for students that deepen their learning, engaging their emotions as well as their intellects. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers who are committed to equity and social justice, comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. Our faculty members are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students. Successful candidates for any role at Hawken School must demonstrate skill and commitment in all the following key areas: Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Candidates must show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission. Fair Play /Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Candidates must indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably. Relationship Building and Cultivation: Candidates must show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community. Content Knowledge: Candidates must demonstrate th...at they can lead and guide colleagues and/students to depth in their work. Humility and Growth Mindset: Candidates must be eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others. Approach to Work: Candidates must show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem solving.

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