A Career Teaching at Kent Place School
Kent Place recognizes that teachers are the foundation of the school’s mission. Our faculty is made up of a diverse group of roughly 75 men and women who are inspiring scholars and leaders of exemplary character. They have the power to inspire each student to achieve her full academic, physical, and creative potential; to love learning; to gain confidence; to live responsibly; and to develop respect for herself and others in the global community.
KPS is always seeking teaching candidates who reflect these qualities themselves; who possess the communication skills to guide students in meaningful and productive ways; and who can make positive contributions to the collegial environment at the school. For our current employment opportunities, please see below.
A Collegial Working Environment
As an all-girls’ school, Kent Place promotes a model of education that is not just challenging but cooperative, guiding students to approach learning as a shared experience. The same holds true for our faculty. Teachers routinely share new ideas and insights, both formally at faculty meetings and informally through day-to-day interactions. Those at the same grade level often pair up to coordinate lessons, units, or even their entire curriculum for the year. Because KPS believes so firmly in technology as a teaching tool, all new teachers receive computers when they join the faculty.
KPS has a number of programs in place to help new faculty members adjust to the school and become part of this community. These include:
- An orientation to both the school and its curriculum in August, along with a day of training in diversity issues
- A mentoring program that pairs each new faculty member with a current KPS teacher
- Regularly scheduled meetings with department chairs and division directors.
Professional Development Opportunities
Kent Place recognizes the importance of providing teachers with both the inspiration and the means to develop their knowledge and their craft. Truly excellent teachers are lifelong students and scholars themselves, and everything they learn enriches what happens in their classrooms.
KPS supports teachers’ professional development in a number of different ways:
- Tuition reimbursement
Roughly three out of four KPS teachers already have advanced degrees when they join the faculty. However, those who come here wishing to further their education are encouraged to do so, and KPS offers them up to 50-percent tuition reimbursement. Currently, seven percent of the faculty is pursuing advanced education.
- Attendance at professional workshops and conferences
KPS supports teachers’ travel to and attendance at workshops related to teaching, curriculum development, independent education, and girls’ education. Recent examples include:
- NJAIS - Excellence in the Arts Conference
- Leadership and Technology at Independent Schools
- Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- National Council of Teachers of Math - Annual Meeting
- Advanced Placement workshops
- People of Color Conference
- American Association of Teachers of Foreign Language Conference
- American Choral Directors Convention
- National Council of Teachers of English - Summer Institute for Teachers of Literature
- Attendance at summer courses
Recent examples include Advanced Placement institutes in English and biology and a painting workshop.
- Halsey Grants
These grants allow selected teachers to develop their curricula over the summer months. Recent areas of emphasis include: Upper School history and English; Middle School math, science, and Latin; and 4th grade social studies.
- E. J. Grassmann Award
This annual travel grant recognizes the contributions of one or two teachers who have been at KPS for five years or more. Over the past few years, awardees have traveled to Alaska, Italy, Senegal, Peru, Hawaii, and Japan.
The Community of Summit, NJ
Summit, NJ, located roughly 20 miles west of New York City, has a vibrant downtown and a train station that affords easy access to New York City and a number of communities in northern and central New Jersey. There is perhaps no better location in the nation for exploring the arts, culture, history, and science, both for teachers’ own benefit and the enrichment of their work with students.
Kent Place recognizes that the cost of living in the New York metropolitan area is quite high. The school makes every effort to work with new teachers to find affordable living arrangements. The school has approximately 13 on-campus faculty apartments, with availability varying from year to year.
Compensation and Benefits
Kent Place offers compensation and benefits that competes favorably with other area independent schools.
Our benefits package includes:
- Excellent medical plans
- Short + Long term Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Excellent retirement and pension plans
- Tuition remission benefits for children attending Kent Place
Applying to Teach at KPS
Candidates interested in teaching at Kent Place School should send a cover letter and resume to the Director of Studies by mail, e-mail, or fax:
42 Norwood Avenue
Summit, NJ 07902-0308
teaching@kentplace.org
Fax: (908) 608-9064
Current Employment Opportunities
STAFF POSITIONS
Director of Studies
The Director of Studies reports to the Head of School and is a member of the school's administrative team. Areas of responsibilities include curricular development and innovation, including technology integration; faculty professional development; evaluation of the instructional program; evaluation of department chairs and school-wide test results; hiring and coordination of the Middle States evaluation process. The Director will demonstrate high professional standards, a commitment to girls’ education and be dedicated to preparing young women for the challenges of the 21st century. Requirements include administrative experience, a master’s or doctoral degree, excellent interpersonal and communication skills and expertise in interacting effectively with people.
Please send letter of interest, resume, statement of educational philosophy and three letters of reference by March 12, 2010 to: DOS Search Committee Kent Place School, 42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07902-0308.
Summer Explorations at Kent Place Positions Needed:
Computer Teacher (June 28 - August 6) for students in Grades 2-6. Topics include: introduction to keyboarding, Word, Powerpoint, Garage Band and iPhoto. College degree preferred.
Theater Teacher (June 28 - August 6) for students in Grades 2-6. Instructor in charge of end of camp show for parents. College degree preferred.
Theater Assistant (June 28 - August 6) for students in Grades 2-6. Assist Theater Teacher in preparation of end of camp show for parents. College student preferred.
Counselors (June 28 - August 6) for students in Grades Pre-K - 11. High school and college students preferred. Must be 16 years of age.
Music Teacher (June 28 - August 6) A teacher is needed who will engage children going into Kindergarten and First Grade in musical activities such as singing, dancing and musical games. Must be able to play the guitar or piano.
STEM Teachers (Computer Skills/Engineering) (June 28 - August 6) for students in Grades 2 - 11.
Teachers to teach classes in math, science, engineering and technology. Classes include bridge building, graphic arts, video game creation and web design.
World Sports Teacher (July 19 - July 23) for students entering Grades 2-6. Physical Education teacher to teach different sports and games from around the world (handball, cricket, gaelic and rugby).
Please submit resume and cover letter to: Director of Student Summer Programs, Kent Place School, 42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07902-0308. E-mail: summer@kentplace.org.
FACULTY POSITIONS
Math Department Chair to oversee math curricular, grades K-12, in conjunction with the Primary School Math Specialist for Grades K-5; to supervise math department faculty; and to provide leadership and vision for the program. Chair will also teach math classes in the Upper School. Math department chair experience, high school math teaching experience and master’s degree preferred.
Upper School Spanish Teacher with the ability to teach from level III up through AP Spanish Literature. High school Spanish teaching experience and master’s degree preferred.
Long-term Primary School Physical Education Substitute Teacher for Grades 3-5 with coaching responsibilities for fall 2010. Physical education teaching experience, Grades 3-5, coaching and master’s degree preferred.
Long-term Upper School English Substitute Teacher for fall 2010 with high school English teaching experience and a master’s degree preferred.
Please submit resume and cover to: Director of Studies, Kent Place School, 42 Norwood Ave., Summit, NJ 07902. Email: teaching@kentplace.org. Fax: (908) 608-9064.
Kent Place School is an equal opportunity employer. We seek candidates who will add to the diversity of the school community.
