What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Career Fellow position at Trustees of Deerfield Academy?
Deerfield Academy, a private coeducational boarding school founded in 1797 and annually serving approximately 650 students grades 9-12, seeks Early Career Teaching Fellows with a start date in July 2025.
Summary:
The Early Career Fellowship at Deerfield offers curious, optimistic, and energetic individuals an opportunity to explore independent school teaching. Our program seeks to develop novice teachers who aim to lay a strong foundation for a career in education. With the ongoing support of an experienced mentor teacher, fellows immerse themselves in all aspects of life at Deerfield. Appointments in specific academic departments will vary year-to-year depending on the Academy’s needs. Fellowships are initially two-year positions; fellows who have demonstrated success in their areas of responsibility may apply for reappointment for additional years should appropriate openings become available. Deerfield believes that the best faculty is a learning faculty, and fellows will be eligible for support for professional development and education in their field of study..
Responsibilities:
The primary classroom responsibility will be teaching two sections (Year 1) or three sections (Year 2) in an assigned academic department or departments. The primary out-of-classroom responsibilities will include assisting with co-curricular activities (varsity or sub-varsity teams, community service activities, publications, etc.), dormitory residence or supervision, advising, and family-style dining hall meals with students. Fellows meet regularly with the program director and their mentor teacher to learn about effective pedagogical techniques, assessment design and grading, methods for cultivating students’ sense of belonging and inclusion, and curricular considerations.
Qualifications:
We are looking for candidates who have a keen interest in boarding school life and a desire to work in a high-challenge, high-support environment. Candidates must be prepared to engage in and reflect upon work in the classroom and in the activities and less formal spaces that help define a strong residential educational community. Additionally, candidates should possess the following specific attributes/qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Significant depth of knowledge and experience in an academic discipline
- Interest in and demonstrated skill working with adolescents
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively facilitate group discussion
- High level of patience and diplomacy
- Excellent organizational skills
- Ability to manage, and sensitivity to, highly confidential information
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and basic classroom technologies
- Demonstrated multicultural competency and commitment to inclusivity
- Excitement for learning and professional growth
- The ability to work with colleagues as part of a team
- A sense of humor
Working Conditions:
- Close visual acuity to view a computer terminal, analyze text, data and/or figures.
- Ability to frequently stand and/or sit for sustained periods of time
- Ability to frequently reach items and paperwork
- Ability to frequently sustain substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers
- Ability to frequently receive and communicate information, verbally and in writing
- Ability to occasionally stoop or kneel
- Ability to occasionally lift/carry/push up to 10 pounds
Disclaimer:
The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. This job description is not intended to be construed as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. It is expected that job duties and responsibilities will develop over time commensurate with performance.
Application materials must include a cover letter (specific to this position) and a resume. Candidates may also submit a brief statement of educational philosophy. We will begin our review of applications in late January/early February 2025 once we have a sense of our departmental staffing needs. However, you are welcome to submit an application at any time.
