How To Find The Right Charter School For You To Work At

Right Charter School For You

Are you considering working at a charter school? If so, there are multiple key factors that you should consider when choosing the right school.

Charter schools are a great option for students and teachers alike, and they come in many different types. There could be several charter schools in your area that play to your strengths. 

What Makes A Charter School?

A charter school is a tuition-free public school with the flexibility and autonomy to differentiate a curriculum that meets its students’ needs. Charter schools are often established and supported by parents and community members who have a specific education experiences in mind for their children. Schools within the Choice network are one of these amazing communities that is reimagining education while still following the same standards as traditional school districts. 

Charter schools often have… 

  • smaller classroom sizes
  • parental involvement
  • customized teaching for individual needs 

A huge benefit of charter schools is that they operate more independently than other academic institutions. This means that a charter school can provide a customized environment that is ideal for the needs and interests of the community. As a teacher, you’re likely to have more flexibility in your teaching methods and your lesson planning. If you are interested in working for a charter school, there are some key points you should consider. 

Charter School

At Choice Schools, we specialize in four education models – Scholar, Environmental, Montessori  and Classical. We believe all children can learn, and teachers can educate at high levels when provided with the right environment. 

Scholar 

The Scholar School model is grounded in social justice and focuses on students’ dignity by providing respectful tasks focused on learning, regardless of the student’s background. It provides structure through a cohesive curriculum that expects and achieves mastery in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies. Woven into this rigorous academic work are culturally, socially, and emotionally responsive practices that value students’ needs and talents to build their agency and grit. Teachers in Choice Scholar Schools are supported through collegial work environments that use research, reflection, and the talent of the team to get all students prepared for college and careers.

Environmental 

The Environmental School’s education takes place inside or outside typical classroom walls. It focuses on the importance of place–where students study the integration and interdependence of their environment to solve real-world problems. In addition to classroom-based instruction, students apply language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and other subjects to propose solutions to big issues. 

By engaging in their local environment, heritage, cultures, and landscapes, students learn to embrace multiple viewpoints while pursuing the greater good. At our Environmental Schools at Choice Schools, students thrive and excel in learning from real-life experiences. One might see students learning math outdoors by measuring the circumference of trees or measuring the area of a forest and connecting this data to the community’s health as a whole. Real-life examples of science and biology come to life as students take water samples from a river or raise their own salmon and analyze the economic and social implications of human interaction with the environment. 

Montessori 

The Montessori Method believes in the child’s innate desire to learn and focuses on building an ideal environment where students develop global perspectives that recognize the power of peace and compassion. By presenting children with information, materials, and engaging problems, students are encouraged to pursue their interests and spend time developing expertise in any number of areas.  

Montessori places a high value on all aspects of the child–their intellectual, emotional, social, physical, and moral development and works with the child to develop their own plans for work, allowing them to make choices while guiding them in exploring new interests and talents. 

Classical

Classical Schools are unique among school choice options for three main reasons – a virtuous education, a content-rich curriculum, and a traditional classroom environment. Classical educators believe that students need an intentional and consistent focus on virtue. 

At Classical Schools, high academic achievement, personal discipline, moral character, and responsibility are consistently reinforced through studying subjects in the classical tradition. Through classical education, students learn about historical events, characters, stories, fables, myths, scientific facts, and mathematical proofs. They read whole literary works in great depth, and they learn to approach books both with moderation to learn and courage to question. 

A Classical classroom prioritizes the teacher’s authority and relies on their expertise to deliver instruction to the students. Students are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in the discussion, incorporating the Socratic method of engaging dialogue between the student and the teacher.

Choosing the Right School for You

Ultimately, the right school for you will focus on your passions, your interests and your abilities. If you are interested in learning about any of these options listed above, our team is happy to help! 

Additional Characteristics of Charter Schools

Curriculum 

In addition to different models, individual schools can have their own unique curricula. This is worth exploring when you are looking at different schools. Ask what subjects and what type of lessons they teach throughout the year. Learn about how lessons are taught and the specific methods that are used to engage students. 

Location 

Next, you should consider the location of different schools. Are they close to the water or in a busy urban environment? How much time will you spend traveling to school each day? Choices like this can impact your quality of life and whether a school will provide the right environment that you need to thrive. 

Parental Support 

Consider the level of parental support that a charter school will provide. Certain models of schools, such as Montessori charters, will typically have an abundance of teaching assistants and interventionists. A model like this can provide a more well-rounded support system.  

Choice Schools Make Education Better 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should consider to find the right charter school for you. It’s worth noting that whether you are a parent looking for a school for your child or interested in working at a charter school, the factors to consider overlap. It’s all about finding a school and model that will fuel your passions and interests. 

Ultimately, there are many variables to consider when looking for the perfect school. However, the research still shows that student-led learning makes for a far more pleasant and opportunity-rich environment for students, parents, and teachers alike.

Choice Schools works to achieve the highest results whenever possible.

By working closely with charter school boards, we have a deep understanding of different educational models and particular schools’ operations, which allows us to craft an academic experience with faculty who can transform the classroom into an extraordinary learning environment.

If you’re looking for an innovative and reliable organization, one that allows you to thrive as a part of a passionate team, we might be the perfect match. Visit our career opportunities today!