Employment

What Are We Looking For In A Teacher?

Enthusiasm for Teaching

Teachers must be be viscerally excited to work in a challenging, engaging, and creative educational environment and recognize that their work  is making a significantly positive impact on the community.

A “No Excuses” Philosophy To Student Success

Teachers must recognize that student success is based on effort not ability and that all students are capable of excelling when they are in an educational environment consisting of exceptional teachers who understand and respond to their individual academic, emotional, and social strengths and challenges.

Flexibility

The Academy will be in its first year and, though the Academy has a comprehensive and  detailed educational program, we recognize unexpected challenges may arise.  We need teachers who possess the flexibility to meet these challenges.

Possess A Macro View of Education

The dropout crisis has a devastating effect on all communities, especially urban communities.  We are seeking teachers that recognize this connection and view quality education as a primary component to balancing of scales of social equality.

Educators Who Hold Themselves To Higher Standards

We seek self-motivated, creative and innovate teachers who thoroughly enjoy teaching and are constantly working to improve their craft.  Though teachers will receive consistent feedback and support from school leaders, we are looking for self-starting teachers who take initiative and desire to excel as educators.

Understanding of The Learning Process

Teachers must recognize that the process of learning is as important as the product of learning and that mistakes are an important part of this process.  Teachers will provide students opportunities learn from their mistakes as they explore and experiment in a variety of learning activities. 

Desire To Be Part Of A Team of Professional Educators

Teachers must be excited to work with an educational team that consistently works to develop a cohesive and interdisciplinary curriculum and school culture.  Of particular note is the school  culture— teachers must be wiling and able to vigilantly promote the Academy’s culture inside and outside of the classroom.

In addition, teachers should feel comfortable in an open door classroom environment where they welcome teachers, staff, and visitors to their classroom, enjoy receiving consistent and supportive feedback from Academy teachers about their teaching, and enjoy providing feedback to other teachers—all with the objective of improving teaching and learning.

Belief In Importance of Parents and Families

Teachers must be excited to actively work with parents and families.  They must recognize that parents and families are an integral part of a child’s education and that their feedback and support will significantly help teachers better educate their children.   

The Dorchester Collegiate Academy charter can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/finalists/07/dcacs.pdf

Qualifications

1. •Seeking commitment of at least 3 years;
   

2. •Have met or are in the process of meeting the Massachusetts Highly Qualified Teachers requirements, preferred;
   

3. •At least 2 years of teaching experience preferred, but will consider exceptional candidates with fewer years of experience.  
   

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Salary and Benefits

1. •Competitive
   

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Application Process

Step 1. Please Submit the Following:

1. •Resumé
   

2. •Cover Letter
   

3. •Written Response addressing one of the following three topics: 
   

4. 
   

5. 1) Describe a snapshot of your ideal classroom during a learning activity.
   

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7. 2) From a teacher’s perspective, describe your ideal school leadership.
   

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9. 3) Describe your views regarding a school providing significant social and emotional support   
   

10.      systems to students.
    

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In the Written Responses, we are looking for meaningful, well-written and creative narratives that are 2-3 pages in length.

Please submit materials to Robert Flynn, Headmaster at rflynn@dcacademy.org

Step 2. First Interview

The first interview will be held with the Headmaster.  At the interview candidates should provide evidence of their teaching experience and philosophy (e.g., a portfolio) as well as be familiar with the Academy’s philosophy and pedagogic approaches.  The Academy’s full charter can be found at http://www.doe.mass.edu/charter/finalists/07/dcacs.pdf

Step 3. Second Interview

A second interview will be held with the Headmaster, the Board Chair and possibly other Academy staff members.  At this interview, candidates should be prepared to further discuss evidence of their teaching experience and philosophy (e.g., a portfolio).  In addition, candidates will be asked to do a 15-20 minute teaching audition with the interviewers playing the role of students.

Interviews will be held starting in January, 2010.