Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 09:37     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
They might be able to make do with a program where Hebrew teachers only stayed a year or two (think about the IT/Appletree model, where there are teaching fellows), IF they get a strong principal and a core staff that stays longer. There are lots of Israelis who might like a year or two teaching experience in the US--after military service, as a sabbatical from teaching in Israel, recent college grads, etc.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 09:24     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Thats an interesting thought for SS . They've seemed to have made lemonade out of the crappy side of the building. The classrooms were authentic Montessori but it's clear they are being imaginative with the remaining space. We liked the energy of the SS teachers and staff that we met---and looking for a PreK3 slot in 16-17. Just hoping their new location won't be a commute buster .

Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 09:07     Subject: Re:SELA teacher exodus
Anonymous wrote:Huh. Wonder if SSMA can just take over the entire building. Also wondering if they'd want it.


Or could they switch spaces?
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 08:59     Subject: Re:SELA teacher exodus
Huh. Wonder if SSMA can just take over the entire building. Also wondering if they'd want it.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 06:46     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Maybe they are leaving for a more stable school--one with a proven growth record.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 03:49     Subject: Re:SELA teacher exodus
wow - this explains a lot. We did horribly in the lottery for round 1 and were ultimately matched with Sela in round 2 for PK3. We ended up declining because we couldn't get a response from the school to several calls and emails. I found it really odd and worrying that the school just completely ignored emails from prospective families (we had also called and were told we should put send our questions by email). We finally decided to keep our daughter in daycare for another year. I stressed over the decision because I wondered if we were giving the school a fair shake but it sounds like we made the right decision.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 02:04     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
And what would you say in that meeting? If teachers are leaving there is not much that a HOS can do about it. If it's truly an exodus then you have the information you need. The people who take care of your kids are unhappy at work. It's fairly straight forward and does not require a meeting with anyone.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 01:28     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Anonymous wrote:It looks like they are hiring 11 positions
Director of Operations Click here to view job description
Director of Curriculum & Instruction Click here to view job description
Hebrew Curriculum Specialist Click here to view job description
Special Education/ELL Teacher Click here to view job description
Elementary School Teacher (English-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Elementary School Teacher (Hebrew-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Early Childhood Teacher (English-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Early Childhood Teacher (Hebrew-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Instructional Assistant (English-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Instructional Assistant (Hebrew-Speaking) Click here to view job description
Earyl Childhood Instructional Assistant (Hebrew-Speaking) Click here to view job description

http://www.selapcs.org/#!employment/c14uc


The above are Sela's posted positions, and Mundo Verde's list is much shorter, yet MV is a much bigger school, more classes in more grades, and it's easier to find Spanish teachers than Hebrew teachers. This is a big deal, that is truly an "exodus" and if I was a current parent or incoming parent, I'd be demanding a meeting with the Head of School immediately.

Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 01:22     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Anonymous wrote:Op, I hope you didn't out the teacher who shared this information with you.
fWIW this is why I don't trust immersion in DCPS/DCPCS. We have a tough enough job just trying to retain teachers. Much less teachers that speak a target language.


This can't be true for Spanish, which is the most common immersion language in DC. Are you saying you have a hard time retaining teachers who are native Spanish speakers? That would be surprising.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2015 01:20     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Anonymous wrote:Why are they all leaving? The principal seems great and I would be surprised if she did not have a backup plan.


NP, it's true, for them ALL to leave is unprecedented and pretty much a death knell. But there has been significant teacher turnover since it opened (basically last year to this year).
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2015 19:33     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Not faculty, but the Operations Director is leaving for DC Prep.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2015 15:57     Subject: Re:SELA teacher exodus
Agree with PP. They are adding PreK3 so that would account for the ECE positions, a Curriculum specialist seems different to me than the Director (but correct me if I am wrong). They had been looking for a Director of Curriculum to add a position-not fill a vacancy. So that takes care of a few but still a little anxiety provoking for families.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2015 15:53     Subject: Re:SELA teacher exodus
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I guess I don't understand why this is an unfortunate thing? Isn't there a lot of turnover of teachers in the school system period?

We were called off the waitlist for PK3 and they allowed us to enroll. Why would this be at risk if they are enrolling kids?


10-20% turnover could be considered normal. What OP reported sounded more like 60-75% of current teachers.

Finding qualified teachers to work in an immersion school is already a challenge. Doing so at this late date - is even tougher. That's why some are expressing concern.


Yeah but they added PK3 so those would be additions not turnover. That is most likely is 2-3 of the positions.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2015 15:48     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Op, I hope you didn't out the teacher who shared this information with you.
fWIW this is why I don't trust immersion in DCPS/DCPCS. We have a tough enough job just trying to retain teachers. Much less teachers that speak a target language.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2015 15:46     Subject: SELA teacher exodus
Why on earth are they all leaving??