Teachers and Staffing at
Tech Valley High School
TVHS teachers are highly qualified and committed to the
project-based learning philosophy. All teachers are certified in the
subject areas they instruct, and hold the same credentials as all
teachers who receive a license to teach in New York State. Tech
Valley High School teachers work on an 11-month contract in order to
accommodate the need for deep and sustained professional development
and curriculum planning.
Team-teaching, cross-curricular projects and/or integrated courses
are the hallmarks of all teaching and learning. Partners from area
businesses, higher education, organized labor and government assist
in developing projects and will serve as mentors and field experts
for both students and teachers throughout the learning process
Teachers are required to participate in a rigorous program of staff
development designed to be certain that project-based learning and
the curriculum are well understood. Much of this training is
provided by the New Technology Foundation, which has considerable
experience in the development of project-based learning, and is
providing Tech Valley High School with access to an extensive
database of curriculum as well as to its state-of-the-art learning
system. Part of that training includes shadowing teachers who are
delivering project-based learning experiences to students.
A grant from the New Technology Foundation, as well as federal,
state and private funds, support the training. Tech Valley High
School supports continual professional development for its teachers
consistent with the professional development plans for the school.
No. Tech Valley High School teachers are appointed and employed by
the Tech Valley High School Operating Board and can organize
themselves collectively.
Salaries are competitive in the Capital Region and take into
consideration the difference in being responsible for the
development and implementation of a project-based learning
experience for students. Teachers work an 11-month contract in order
to accommodate the need for deep and sustained professional
development and curriculum planning.
Teachers work a standard business day and whatever additional hours
are needed to fulfill professional responsibilities including
training and development, student and parent meetings, staff
meetings and meetings with community partners.
Tech Valley High School's calendar year parallels the calendars of
other public school districts in the Capital Region.
A Tech Valley High School teachers' contract will be negotiated.
However, this cannot occur until teachers are hired and organized.
Until then, teachers are subject to terms and conditions established
by the Tech Valley High School operating board.
The same rights to tenure apply to Tech Valley High School as
they do in other public schools.
Teachers are required to participate in a
rigorous program of staff development and training to ensure they
understand integrated project-based learning and the curriculum.
Much of this training is provided by the New Technology Foundation
and occurs during the summer and in meetings throughout the year.
Teachers play a critical role in further developing the
recommendations of the Learning Team.
