Questions and answers about teaching for Kickstart
Kickstart is a collaborative creation; we are looking for dreamers who can think big while getting
their hands covered in mud, glue, and fingerpaint. Does this sound like you?
What will be expected of me as a Kindergarten Kickstart teacher?
You will be part of a team of 4 teachers -- Wesleyan students and one Middletown certified teacher. Your job will be to create and implement a summer program for 15 children about to start Kindergarten. Each teacher will be expected to attend 1 to 2 weeks of training before the start of the program, all 5 weeks of the program, and 1-2 days of clean up and record keeping after the end of the program. The day starts before the children arrive, so that the teachers can prepare all materials and plans, and ends after they leave, to allow time for clean up, preparation, and discussion with your fellow teachers. Each day is long and full, and you need plenty of energy for the next day, so during the Kickstart session we expect that this is your only commitment.
What qualifications are you looking for in teachers?
First and foremost, we need teachers who love being around kids and enjoy working with them! Second, we expect our staff to be highly professional, responsible, and dedicated to creating the best possible summer program - this includes studying what has been done before and coming up with new ideas too. Third, since teachers work closely and collaboratively to create a wonderful classroom, we need team players with strong communication skills, a great attitude, and exceptional work ethic. We recruit people with a high degree of personal agency -- people who will find ways to get the job done, without waiting around for someone else to take care of things. Finally, since our program is rooted in research on child development, we seek teachers who have background and/or deep interest in developmental science.
It is strongly preferred that applicants have taken Developmental Psychology or a similar course before teaching in Kickstart.
What is the role of research in Kickstart?
The idea of Kickstart is to have a 'research incubator' where we can take the best, most cutting-edge findings in child development and work out ways to create classroom interventions using these findings. We need teachers who can operate both as scientist/explorers, inventing ways to draw research findings into the classroom experience, and teacher-nurturers, who are warm, fun, and engaging with children and can help them express their wonderful personalities. Current areas where we are actively exploring the research-to-practice bridge include self-regulation and executive function, literacy, numeracy & science, and outdoor play. Our goal is to take preschoolers and help them transform into kindergarteners, by focusing on the facors that are known to predict short and long term success in school.
What will I gain from participating?
Teaching with Kickstart is a unique learning and leadership experience. The team of four teachers, while mentored and supervised by a few overseers, is given the privilege and responsibility of creating and shaping the summer program. There is a lot of support, and some essential guidelines, but no script. If you have a good idea, we will help you shape it into an even better idea and encourage you to give it a try. We also support the core staff with social workers, school psychologists, community organizers, and others with unique insight and proven commitment to Kickstart -- so you will gain knowledge from many different perspectives on child development, community work, and school readiness.
Kickstart is a collaborative creation; we are looking for dreamers who can think big while getting their hands covered in mud, glue, and fingerpaint. Does this sound like you? If it does, please apply!
What about the logistics?
FUNDING: Teachers will receive a stipend of $2,000. Excellent applicants for whom the low pay poses a barrier are encouraged to inquire with Anna Shusterman about additional internship funding at the Cognitive Development Lab.
HOUSING: Teachers secure their own housing on or off campus.
TIMING: Training will begin between June 20 and June 27. The program runs from July 5 to August 5. At least a few teachers will be need to assist with close-down and clean-up on August 8 and 9.
LOCATION: The 2016 program will have sites at Bielefield and Farm Hill schools.
How do I apply?
Please fill out the quick webform under "Teach With Kickstart". We will then email you an application and keep you on an email list for any important updates. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.