KIPP St. Louis’ Post

With the holiday season upon us, it's the perfect time for aspiring educators to step into higher ed teaching roles! Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, class sections are often added, other adjunct professors who have a full-time job outside academia have last-minute schedule changes and can't teach, and other last-minute schedule changes are VERY common. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Check college/university job boards regularly. 2️⃣ Update your CV & be ready to apply quickly. (2 page resumes are usually OK for non-tenure track positions.) 3️⃣ Reach out to department heads at schools you're interested in. Find them on Linkedin and start a conversation. 4️⃣ Network with faculty for insider info on openings. Good luck!

Transitioning teachers, Please don’t list your job title as ‘Classroom Manager’ on your resume. If you’re the 4th grade Science Teacher, just say that. I promise there is value in what you actually did/do. You’re going to hear a lot of advice. Most of it is going to sound ludicrous. That’s because a majority of it is. The truth is most of us had no idea what we were doing so most people don’t even remember the steps it took, and teaching you to do it *just like they did*, may or nay not work for you. What does work? Integrity, honesty, re-doing your resume to highlight how you added value in the lives of your students and the school community as a whole. (Use numbers.)

Reference checks are one of the most important steps in selecting and hiring a new faculty or staff member at your international school. Not only do reference checks give you the opportunity to determine if your chosen candidate is suited for the role in question, it means you’ll prevent wasting both time and money on an ill-suited new hire. From steps to planning an effective teaching reference to what you can and can't ask, and tips for eliminating errors and personal biases, you'll find it all in our latest blog: https://hubs.ly/Q02lqLLN0

It is the time of year when school administrators start interviewing candidates to fill open teaching positions. As the administrator of a classical Christian school I would love to find candidates who were trained classically or had experience teaching classically. Those in my position know that that is not an easy proposition. In February 2023 I was able to participate in a zoom call with Dr. Christopher Perrin and we asked him how we should approach hiring given this limitation. I loved his answer, he said to look to hire people who are "classically minded." What does that mean? I'll summarize some of his criteria for being classically minded. A classically minded teacher is one who: 1. Loves what is true, good, and beautiful 2. Has a holy curiosity 3. Loves to read source material, not commentaries 4. Is not utilitarian 5. Wants to know where things and words come from 6. Is a perpetual student 7. Loves illuminating minds 8. Wants to teach and be taught Do you have any other criteria to identify someone who is classically minded?

💎Best job application I’d heard about this week came from a 3rd grader 👀 My lovely SO teaches a few dozen students, so paperwork is hard to keep straight. After launching her daily “golden readers” program, she briefly mentioned to the class that she might need a student helper to move the daily reader post-it’s to a binder… One of her students: 📆 Asked immediately if they could be a fit for the position 🏆 Followed up a week later and re-engaged 📝 Requested a trial day where they could sort out the post-it’s 📈 Sought out immediate feedback and showed their process, re-stating instructions 💪 “So, do you think I can do it?” I was amazed at the best practices on display. The student not only stated her qualifications, they then went on to request a trial day and even CLOSED WITH CONFIDENCE! Give, give, ask on a competitive position like this… “textbook” execution🤠 #recruitment #interviewtips #hired

Believe it or not, this is the time of the year when teachers and administrators plan their hiring for next school year! If you're a teacher considering a non-classroom position, these tips can help.

It’s normal to switch jobs! Educators: Now’s the time to start thinking about what you want for next year in your career. Here’s a great place to start your reflection process:

Further information regarding my employment career, education, and involvement on campus can be found in the accompanying resume. Getting practical experience will help me to strengthen my academic foundation. 

Cybersecurity is not limited to what you may be use to. It is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users via ransomware; interrupting normal business processes; or disrupt critical sectors that could impqdy your daily life. The latest impacts to health, water and energy sectors are examples of areas you can make a contribution to protect our nation Cybersecurity roles can range from from intelligence operations, critical infrastructure, promoting international norms and behaviors, lawyers, workforce development, to research and development. According to Cyberseek.org, the nation has over 500K cyber related job vacancies; a national security gap that we must address to defend against the ever growing and evolving threats from malign and malicious actors. In the old saying, “Uncle Sam Wants YOU!”

The perception that teachers must always appear strong and infallible stems from traditional ideas of authority and expertise. However, recognizing that teachers can also be vulnerable and have their own struggles is crucial for creating a supportive and empathetic educational environment. When interviewing candidates, adopting a more sympathetic approach can indeed be beneficial, as it allows candidates to share their experiences, challenges, and personal growth, leading to a deeper understanding of their suitability for the role. This approach fosters a more inclusive and understanding educational culture.