OPEN CALL: GET SMART SCHOOLS FELLOWSHIPS 2010-2011
APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2010
We are now accepting applications for 2010-2011 fellowship cohorts 1 and 2.
All applicants will be informed of their application status by October 1, 2010.
Application Requirements
Applicants should email the following materials to smartpeople@getsmartschools.org:
• Resume or CV
• Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)*
• 3-5 References including former or current colleagues and supervisors
• 1-page statement that includes educational philosophy and brief vision statement for your school
*Due to the short timeline, transcripts can be submitted up to 3 weeks after the application deadline
In-person interviews will be conducted September 17, 2010 in Denver.
Click here for more information about qualities that we are seeking and qualification requirements.
Click here for information about starting a Performance School.
Click here for a list of Our Fellows
2010-2011 Get Smart Schools Fellowship
Get Smart Schools is partnering with Denver Public Schools and Teach for America to offer a 2-year leadership development series for individuals who will start autonomous, results-driven schools that provide an excellent, college-preparatory education for a diverse student population.
Why the fellowship?
We are facing incredible educational challenges at the local, state, and national level. The time for action is now. Nearly half of the students in the urban core of Colorado’s Front Range fail to graduate from high school. Only 25% attend college.
One of the biggest barriers to new school creation is a lack of qualified entrepreneurial leaders. Strong autonomous school leaders are necessary to establish and achieve a clear school mission; to recruit, develop, and retain effective educators; and to provide teachers the leadership support they need to deliver high-quality instruction. Research has found that leadership impacts student achievement the most in academic settings serving students who traditionally have not done well in school.
We are seeking leaders who are entrepreneurial and committed to academic success for all students. Leaders will be evaluated based on personal qualities, past experience and skills. Qualified applicants for cohort 1 will have plans to lead Charter or Performance schools in 2012 that are located in an urban community along Colorado’s front range and that serve low-income students. Applicants for cohort 2 will have approved Charter applications in urban districts along Colorado’s front range, and will be designed to serve a high-poverty student population.
About the fellowship
Year 1 of the fellowship is devoted to preparing leaders to submit their Charter, Pilot school or Performance school applications. Year 2 is designed for those have been approved to open and lead new schools and who have at least one year of planning time before the school opens. Both series combine individual coaching, local and national school visits, and group learning and networking. Fellows participate in 2-3 professional development sessions each month from October through July. The sessions are half to full day, depending on the topic. While the overarching themes are consistent for both years of the fellowship, the content will be tailored for each cohort.
About the Partners
Get Smart Schools is a group of educators, leaders, entrepreneurs and school officials who are working collaboratively for the good of Colorado kids. Our goal is to dramatically increase the number of new, public, high quality autonomous schools serving low-income students in the Front Range. We know that in order to have great schools, we need great leaders
Teach for America is the national corps of individuals committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education. In the immediate term, by recruiting, selecting, training, supporting and developing tomorrows leaders to become teachers in our countries most impoverished schools Teach For America strives to ensure every child, despite socio-economic or racial background, achieves an excellent education. Then, from this experience, these individuals walk away informed of the realities of the achievement gap and the insight of what it takes to close it to become leaders working in and out of education to systemically end educational inequity.
Denver Public Schools will lead the nation’s cities in student achievement, high school graduation, college preparation, and college matriculation. Its students will be well-prepared for success in life, work, civic responsibility, and higher education. Improving existing schools and opening strong new schools are key parts of DPS’ strategy to dramatically improve student achievement and increase graduation rates across Denver. DPS is seeking motivated and talented individuals—particularly those with talent, track record, drive, and commitment to student achievement - to start new, high-performing schools in our neighborhoods.
Program Description
Sessions cover topics relevant to opening and building a successful school and provide opportunities for new school leaders to connect with and learn from one another in a structured environment.
Sessions are conducted by leading practitioners as well as academics, including those from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management, a former Building Excellent Schools leadership expert, and educational entrepreneurs form across the country.
School Visits: For the first time this year, GSS will be incorporating structured school visits into our fellowship curriculum. In addition to visiting top Colorado schools, fellows will travel to Chicago and California to observe some of the highest performing schools in the country.
Coaching: In addition to the group sessions, DPS and GSS will provide one on one time with experienced school leaders who will serve as mentors and coaches to our fellows.
Ongoing Support: Individuals who complete the Fellowship program and go on to open schools will also benefit from the ongoing support of Get Smart Schools. Support services will include executive coaching, facility consultation, health and wellness planning and board recruitment and training.
Cost: The fellowship is selective and provides participants with a phenomenal, no-cost experience. All expenses, including two national school visits, will be covered.
History
Past fellows have included leaders of eleven Denver schools, including three West Denver Prep campuses, KIPP and Denver School of Science and Technology replications, Atlas Prep, Thomas MacLaren, William Smith High School, Math and Science Leadership Academy, SOAR, and the Girls Athletic Leadership School.
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