Careers

Teachers at Sycamore School are hired on the basis of their training, experience, personalities, and their perceived enthusiasm and energy for teaching. Lead teachers typically have a license to teach and several years of successful teaching experience. Teachers hired at Sycamore who do not have specific training in gifted education are asked to get that training at school expense in a timely manner.

Teaching assistants at Sycamore School are in every classroom up through fourth grade. In the Middle School (grades 5-8) there are shared assistants in some subjects. Specialists teach music, art, Spanish, physical education, and technology at all grade levels. Teaching assistants in Early Childhood and Lower School often have the same training as lead teachers, but assistants sometimes have training in other professional fields.

The assistants work under the direction of their classroom teachers, interacting with students in many instructional activities, on field trips, and by providing class supervision at special events. The teaching assistant position is often an ideal way for a young teacher to gain experience when a full-time teaching job does not appear elsewhere. Other assistants find that this is a way to participate professionally in school life without the ultimate responsibility of a lead teacher.

Teachers and assistants are sought out by the Division Heads in Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School. The Division Heads screen résumés and conducts preliminary interviews. Finalists are interviewed by teachers and the Head of School. When possible, teacher candidates are asked to teach a sample lesson to a class of Sycamore School students.