Becoming a Staff Member at Alpine Valley School
Thank you for your interest in staffing at Alpine Valley School, a self-directed democratic school following the Sudbury model. Determining a potential staff member’s fit with this model is extremely important, so we urge you to consider the following questions before contacting us.
Do you think young people should decide for themselves how to spend their days in school?
Should students have an equal voice in all matters of school governance and operation?
Are you comfortable letting students argue or discuss a heated topic without inserting yourself into their conversation?
Do you treat young people differently than people your own age?
Do you believe a hands-off approach to working with young people (what some might call “benign neglect”) is not only appropriate, but effective?
Do you believe children require constant and explicit adult direction and supervision in order to grow up healthy and whole?
Do you think acting on the so-called “teachable moment” is usually harmful?
Would you be comfortable working in an environment where everyone has an equal vote on the daily operations of the school and where at the same time, different people have various amounts of experience and sway?
Are you comfortable not tracking, measuring, or otherwise evaluating a student's learning?
Would you be okay with students sleeping at school during the school day?
If you answered “no” to more than five of these questions, we recommend you look for a school more in alignment with your beliefs.
If you answered “yes” to five or more questions, please proceed to the Staffing Process outlined below.
Hiring Process for Staff Candidates
Professional Visit with a member of the Staffing Committee
Please click here to become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a staff member.
Please click here to set up a professional visit.
Resources and perspectives on being staff click here
Invitation from the Staffing Committee to make an official application
In depth interview with the Staffing Committee
Extended 40 hour visiting period (unpaid)
Staffing Committee may choose to offer a paid internship
Paid internships are between 3-8 weeks, working 3-5 days per week
Nomination for school-wide Staff Election
More yes votes than no votes allows you to move on in the process.
Based on election results, Staffing Committee may choose to offer an annual staffing contract
Successful candidates are under the supervision of the Staffing Committee during their first year.
