Careers

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List of 3 items.

• Teachers and Teaching Assistants

  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.

• Other School Employees

  Other staff members support Sycamore teachers in their work. The purpose of all non-teaching positions at Sycamore School is to support and facilitate the teachers’ work with students and parents.
  
  The procedure for hiring non-teaching staff members varies with the position being filled. Administrators are hired by the Head of School, following procedures that he/she believes are most appropriate for the position to be filled.

• The Hiring Process

  The typical hiring process involves résumé reviews, interviews, reference checks, and a police background check. For administrative positions, there is usually consultation within the school involving a broader base of school constituents.
  
  All hiring at Sycamore is formalized through a contract or a letter of agreement issued by the Head of School. The Head of School is hired by the Sycamore School Board of Trustees; all other employment and staff management is the Head’s responsibility, in concert with relevant members of the administration.