General Information
Below is some basic information about teaching at The Hun School. Other information on this website can help to give a picture of the School as a whole. Additional questions about The Hun School or teaching at The Hun School are encouraged and should be addressed to Dr. Kay Kiefer, dean of faculty.
Qualifications
A primary qualification for teaching at The Hun School is an interest in students as people. We also look for teachers who want to challenge and help students develop the skills to learn at a higher level than they thought they were capable of achieving. Capability and interest in working with students outside the classroom in clubs, coaching, and other activities is a must.
While teacher certification is not required, our teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the teaching subject field or a related field. For teachers with no formal classroom experience teacher certification, teacher training, or experience working with children is a plus.
The Hun School strives to find ways to use technology in appropriate ways throughout the curriculum and experience and comfort with computers is a plus.
All physically qualified faculty members are required to obtain a CDL license in order to be able to transport students in our 16 passenger school buses.
Teaching Environment
Hun is a diverse community with students of varying ethnic backgrounds, interests, and academic skills. Class size generally averages twelve to fourteen students.
In matters of curriculum, teachers enjoy a great deal of academic freedom while working toward some common purposes as a member of an educational team. A number of courses designed by faculty members have been added to the curriculum.
Hun School faculty members are encouraged to seek ongoing professional development and to share ideas with colleagues. The School encourages and supports faculty member attendance at workshops and conferences. The School also supports faculty members who seek advanced degrees. The faculty salary structure seeks to recognize the increasing contribution of faculty members as they gain seniority at The Hun School and build on a foundation of fundamentally sound teaching practices through consistent demonstration of professional growth.
Teaching Load
As in most independent schools, teachers at Hun play several roles. Teaching assignments are generally four or five classes during an eight period day. The schedule rotates so most classes meet at different times each day during the week. Teachers are generally asked to cover one study hall period each week. With regard to extra-curricular activities, all teachers are asked to contribute the time and energy equivalent of coaching two seasons of athletics. Each faculty member acts as advisor to a small group of students who meet together weekly.
Faculty members are expected to support our students by attending School events such as athletic contests, dramatic productions, and alumni events. All students must meet yearly community service requirements and faculty members are encouraged to take students to community service programs and work alongside them.
The academic schedule has a period each day set aside for students to seek extra help from teachers. We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to explore ways to improve their academic work regardless of their level of achievement. The extra help period also provides an opportunity for teachers and students to get to know each other better. One of the strengths of the School is the bond between students and teachers that develops.
Boarding
Because The Hun School has both day and resident students, a number of faculty members live on campus and either help supervise the dorms or help plan and lead activities with the resident students. Faculty members who do not live on campus are expected to participate several times each semester in the resident life program. At times specific teaching positions may also require living on campus while at other times living on campus may not be possible