Why Ideaventions Academy?
Why Ideaventions Academy?
Envision a school that embraces children’s curious natures. Our mission is to empower young minds to understand and improve the world.
Opening this fall in Reston, Virginia, Ideaventions Academy for Mathematics and Science is a private school for gifted 4th-8th grade students. The Academy is geared to active learners with a passion for the sciences and mathematics.
You’re a new school. Why do I want to teach there?
Because we’re a new school, you will get an opportunity to shape your program. We believe in hiring intelligent, dedicated and humble people who share our philosophy, providing them broad parameters and support and setting them free.
What is your culture?
If you love children, have a passion for innovation, and you love teaching your subject, your days will be fun! Our culture is one of innovation, exploration, learning and teamwork. We look for passionate teachers to share their excitement with their students. Our culture is more similar to what you would expect in a technology- start up rather than in a governmental institution.
What is your class size?
Most of your classes will be 8 students, and we have a hard maximum of 10 students in a class.
Are these all privileged kids? How can I make a difference?
Yes, you can make a difference! The kids that are enrolled to start this fall need you. Many of these kids have not been successful in private or public schools. Their focus on science or math, their need for movement, or their creative outbursts have been frowned upon, rather than celebrated. Some dread going to school, while others say that all of their learning happens outside of school. These kids have tremendous potential to make a difference in the world and will be due to your influence on them.
Are we hothousing these kids? Is it a race?
No, it’s not a race. We’re looking to give kids an environment to thrive at their pace. Their pace just tends to be faster than other kids. We want to be able to provide them the depth of study and we do that through our faculty. We look for peopled trained in the subject that they are teaching. We’re opening a school where kids can be comfortable “speaking in Klingon” without feeling different.
You’re a new school. How are you coming along in the process to open?
It’s going great! We are a new school, but we are also an outgrowth of our Teaching Science Center, Ideaventions. We believe in open communications and invite you to read our Friday Update blog to get real-time updates on how it’s coming. We believe in teaching children how to analyze and draw their own conclusions and we treat adults, parents and teachers, with the same respect.
What are your benefits?
Teachers at Ideaventions Academy are eligible for individual and organization performance-based bonus. Our benefits package includes retirement, medical, dental, and life insurance. Ideaventions provides retirement matching (1% matching starting your first year, escalating to a maximum of 3% matching by your third year through our SIMPLE IRA).
Do you have opportunities for additional work?
Ideaventions Academy will start each day with outdoor walks, weather permitting. At the end of each day, we will have an optional activity period for student-run clubs, sports, and tutoring. Teachers will be scheduled for 40-hour work weeks with planning time, office hours and daily lunch breaks. For teachers interested in additional income, we welcome further assistance for the activity period and/or morning walk times. The walks are planned for 8:30 – 9:00 am, and the activity period is planned for 4:00 – 5:15 pm. As an option to full-time employment, teachers may elect to accept an additional contract to support afternoon (activity period clubs) and/or morning activities (e.g. nature walks).
As another option, teachers may request additional work assignments as camp leaders in Ideaventions Summer Camps. Based on the school calendar, teachers would be eligible to work in up to eight camp weeks.
What is your philosophy on homework?
We believe in focusing on the quality of the homework and not on the quantity, and that a small amount of homework helps teach time-management skills. Homework causes too many headaches and stresses with families. We believe that if kids spend their time efficiently at school, then there should be very little work to do at home. In addition, when working with academically gifted children, the requirement for repetition is lessened and thus the need for extensive homework. Our expectation is homework will amount to roughly 3-5 hours per week (or less) and will support student projects and research. Students will be expected to plan their week and their work time, with the help of their teachers.
What is your philosophy on testing and grades?
Our goal is to see that students have mastered a subject area through projects, discussions and presentations, without the focus on a grade. In certain instances, we will use tests and quizzes to assess student or class mastery of the subject. We will use a combination of these outputs to determine the student's mastery of a subject. Nancie Atwell said it best, "We really need to be looking at what individual kids are achieving in the disciplines, authentically and personally," she said, citing her school's evaluation method, which involves students creating portfolios and reflecting on their own work, as an alternative to standardized assessment."
Ready for the next step?
Send your resume and cover letter to careers@ideaventionsacademy.org.
Envision a school that embraces children’s curious natures. Our mission is to empower young minds to understand and improve the world.
Opening this fall in Reston, Virginia, Ideaventions Academy for Mathematics and Science is a private school for gifted 4th-8th grade students. The Academy is geared to active learners with a passion for the sciences and mathematics.
You’re a new school. Why do I want to teach there?
Because we’re a new school, you will get an opportunity to shape your program. We believe in hiring intelligent, dedicated and humble people who share our philosophy, providing them broad parameters and support and setting them free.
What is your culture?
If you love children, have a passion for innovation, and you love teaching your subject, your days will be fun! Our culture is one of innovation, exploration, learning and teamwork. We look for passionate teachers to share their excitement with their students. Our culture is more similar to what you would expect in a technology- start up rather than in a governmental institution.
What is your class size?
Most of your classes will be 8 students, and we have a hard maximum of 10 students in a class.
Are these all privileged kids? How can I make a difference?
Yes, you can make a difference! The kids that are enrolled to start this fall need you. Many of these kids have not been successful in private or public schools. Their focus on science or math, their need for movement, or their creative outbursts have been frowned upon, rather than celebrated. Some dread going to school, while others say that all of their learning happens outside of school. These kids have tremendous potential to make a difference in the world and will be due to your influence on them.
Are we hothousing these kids? Is it a race?
No, it’s not a race. We’re looking to give kids an environment to thrive at their pace. Their pace just tends to be faster than other kids. We want to be able to provide them the depth of study and we do that through our faculty. We look for peopled trained in the subject that they are teaching. We’re opening a school where kids can be comfortable “speaking in Klingon” without feeling different.
You’re a new school. How are you coming along in the process to open?
It’s going great! We are a new school, but we are also an outgrowth of our Teaching Science Center, Ideaventions. We believe in open communications and invite you to read our Friday Update blog to get real-time updates on how it’s coming. We believe in teaching children how to analyze and draw their own conclusions and we treat adults, parents and teachers, with the same respect.
What are your benefits?
Teachers at Ideaventions Academy are eligible for individual and organization performance-based bonus. Our benefits package includes retirement, medical, dental, and life insurance. Ideaventions provides retirement matching (1% matching starting your first year, escalating to a maximum of 3% matching by your third year through our SIMPLE IRA).
Do you have opportunities for additional work?
Ideaventions Academy will start each day with outdoor walks, weather permitting. At the end of each day, we will have an optional activity period for student-run clubs, sports, and tutoring. Teachers will be scheduled for 40-hour work weeks with planning time, office hours and daily lunch breaks. For teachers interested in additional income, we welcome further assistance for the activity period and/or morning walk times. The walks are planned for 8:30 – 9:00 am, and the activity period is planned for 4:00 – 5:15 pm. As an option to full-time employment, teachers may elect to accept an additional contract to support afternoon (activity period clubs) and/or morning activities (e.g. nature walks).
As another option, teachers may request additional work assignments as camp leaders in Ideaventions Summer Camps. Based on the school calendar, teachers would be eligible to work in up to eight camp weeks.
What is your philosophy on homework?
We believe in focusing on the quality of the homework and not on the quantity, and that a small amount of homework helps teach time-management skills. Homework causes too many headaches and stresses with families. We believe that if kids spend their time efficiently at school, then there should be very little work to do at home. In addition, when working with academically gifted children, the requirement for repetition is lessened and thus the need for extensive homework. Our expectation is homework will amount to roughly 3-5 hours per week (or less) and will support student projects and research. Students will be expected to plan their week and their work time, with the help of their teachers.
What is your philosophy on testing and grades?
Our goal is to see that students have mastered a subject area through projects, discussions and presentations, without the focus on a grade. In certain instances, we will use tests and quizzes to assess student or class mastery of the subject. We will use a combination of these outputs to determine the student's mastery of a subject. Nancie Atwell said it best, "We really need to be looking at what individual kids are achieving in the disciplines, authentically and personally," she said, citing her school's evaluation method, which involves students creating portfolios and reflecting on their own work, as an alternative to standardized assessment."
Ready for the next step?
Send your resume and cover letter to careers@ideaventionsacademy.org.
