Dson Connected: Teaching Associate
Georgia Zaiser ‘90, Head of School at Far Hills Country Day School is hiring Dickinson Students! Georgia can be reached at gzaiser@fhcds.org
To view the info session RECORDING, click below:
The Far Hills Teaching Associate Program
For the 2023–2024 school year, Far Hills will be hiring Teaching Associates who are beginning their career and who are looking for an opportunity to learn from mentor teachers and to teach in a setting that provides support and an opportunity for feedback and reflection. We will select associates to teach in our Lower School (Preschool–Grade 4) and Upper School (Grades 5–8), and the teaching positions will be dependent upon the School’s needs at the time of hiring.
Overview:
The Far Hills Teaching Associate Program strives to provide a positive, supportive, and immersive teaching experience for individuals interested in beginning a career in education in the independent school setting. The framework of the program allows a teacher to start by gaining experience gradually and with support. The Associate’s independence and responsibility should increase over the course of the year, depending on the growth of the individual and the needs of the division. Central to the program is the idea that teachers learn by doing and by receiving timely and actionable feedback with time for reflection.
Each year, Associates shadow, assist, and support select faculty in the classroom and take on assistant or leadership roles in co-curricular activities and sports. Classroom placements range from Preschool to Grade 8. In the Lower School, Associates will be assigned to a classroom and will work directly alongside the lead teacher; in the Upper School, Associates will be assigned a homeroom and will assist and support subject-specific faculty throughout the day.
Teaching Associates begin their one- or two-year commitment to the School in late August with a week of orientation and planning before students arrive. Except for school vacations, each Associate is expected to work full-time until the end of the school year in early to mid June. A stipend is paid to Associates on a biweekly basis for twelve months; benefits are included. After a successful year, an Associate may be invited back to complete a second year with advanced expectations.
The Far Hills Administration will do their best to match each Associate’s experience and interests with classroom assignments and co-curricular roles that best serve them and our community.
Associates will also have duties as assigned by the program director such as chaperoning school trips and supporting other community events as needed.
Who Should Apply?
To be eligible for the program, candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree and must have an active interest in working with children, along with a desire to participate in all aspects of professional life at Far Hills. In keeping with its commitment to diversity, Far Hills welcomes applications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Far Hills is committed to the development of compassionate teachers who value, accept, and respect diversity. Our school community strives to create an inclusive environment in which each member feels comfortable and accepted, an environment in which differences and commonalities are appreciated in equal measure.
What We Offer
- Direct engagement with students and teachers
- Mentorship with one teacher and one coach
- Classroom teaching experience
- Active involvement in coaching athletics and leading co-curricular activities
- Professional Development
- New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) workshops and institutes are available
- Far Hills’ comprehensive training program
- New Faculty Orientation and weekly in-house professional development meetings
- Professional development and preparation in August with all faculty
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training
- Mind, Brain, and Education training
- Opportunities with auxiliary programming
- Assisting the aftercare program
- After-school teaching
- Leading Homework Club
- Academic tutoring/homework help as recommended by the division director
- Daily lunch service when school is in session
- Year round on-campus housing
- Proximity to New York City and Philadelphia by car; nearest train station is 2 miles away
- Support finding summer employment if so desired
Upper School Associate
Responsibilities: In the Upper School, the Associate supports academic departments throughout the year in lesson planning, grading, and classroom management. The Associate will directly support classes as determined by the division director.
- Primary Responsibilities
- Assist an academic teacher in Grades 5–8
- Coach or manage three co-curricular offerings per year (as lead or assistant)
- Secondary Responsibilities
- Substitute teach when necessary
- Lunch and recess duties as needed
- Chaperone two adventure trips per year as part of a team
- Chaperone grade level dances, field trips, and other school functions as needed
Lower School Associate
Responsibilities: In the Lower School, the Associate is attached to a classroom and lead teacher for the day.
- Primary Responsibilities
- Assistant teach in Preschool–Grade 4
- Secondary Responsibilities
- Substitute teach when necessary
- Lunch and recess duties as needed
- Chaperone field trips as needed
All-School Responsibilities and Opportunities (assigned by Director of Operations)
- Supporting the Office of Admission and Office of Secondary School Placement
- Supporting the Office of Engagement and Philanthropy with events (i.e. preparing for the golf outing or Grandparents’ Day)
- Assisting Marketing and Communications in capturing fresh content (i.e. photographs, stories)
Schedule
- Daily work schedule mirrors that of a teacher in the Associate’s division (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Weekly Teaching Associate cohort meetings
- Monthly Far Hills professional development class
- Weekly (Wednesday) professional development by division (to 5:30 p.m.)
Compensation
- $600 per week
- Medical and dental benefits
- Housing is provided on-campus
- Light breakfast and lunch are included Monday–Friday when school is open
Deadline to Apply: February 23, 2023
Interested candidates should submit the application form, cover letter and resume