The Vital Role of Associate Teachers at Grace

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Can you describe the structure of the associate teaching program?

The associate teacher program is a teacher training program, pairing early career educators with our experienced head teachers. During their two or three years in the program, associates participate in every aspect of school life, including developing and teaching lessons, contributing to conferences, writing reports, and liaising with families. Though initially a two-year program, we’re currently transitioning it to three years to meet market demands and also to have more continuity in the program. Our goal is for teachers to leave our program being ready (or closer to ready) to be head teachers.

Associates meet as a cohort with me once every other week to discuss all the different aspects of their role and different elements of great teaching. Together, we read research articles and discuss best teaching practices, have small group discussions across divisions, and sometimes welcome experts from throughout the school. Kate Patton, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, JK–4, for example, visited to talk about her experience as a veteran classroom teacher, and Jorinda Silverstein (EC/LS Learning Specialist) came to share strategies that support students. 

But the primary source of mentorship for associates is our experienced head teachers, who guide them throughout the year. Teaching isn’t easy, and the first few years in particular are full of surprises, some joyful but some very challenging. Not all teachers receive the kind of mentorship early in their careers that our associates do, and head teachers take their role as mentors very seriously. I think this support and individualized attention translates into better outcomes for teachers and, ultimately, for students as well. 

There’s no question that having two teachers in a classroom is beneficial for students, even in small classes like we have at Grace. With two teachers, students can get frequent feedback and work in small groups. And associate teachers that stay for two or three years really become integrated into the lives of our students, teaching siblings and getting to know our best teaching practices at Grace. Associate teachers have also been the source of some of the most creative projects and ideas, many of which head teachers continue to incorporate year after year. 

I wanted to serve the program that gave me so much in the beginning of my career. I was an associate teacher at Grace and grew so much as a professional during that time. I also wanted to advise the associate program because I recognize what an important and sometimes challenging role our associates play in the school. We know that teachers are more likely to stay in the field if they get adequate support, and I want to show our associate teachers that their teaching career can be full of reward and professional nourishment, with the right support in place.

It’s very rewarding to see our associate teachers become head teachers (particularly at Grace!). Emilie Hotz was in the first cohort of associates I advised, and it’s been a privilege to watch her step into head teaching with such love for our students and commitment to their growth.

So many associates move on to become head teachers here, either immediately following completion of the program or a few years later, once they’ve taught at another school. I was an associate alongside Sonny von Gutfeld, for example, and it’s a delight to now work together on our JK-8 math program. 

Nearly all of our EC and LS head teachers (along with many other faculty—and even administrators!) began as associate teachers. Chelsea Flores, who as an associate was paired with Ben Latimer, now teaches alongside him as a third grade head teacher. Maya Levy, who was an associate with Kate Patton in the Blue Room, is now the head teacher in the Blue Room in kindergarten. 

The relationships the associates build with one another and with their colleagues are a big part of the draw, but so too is the school’s culture. As associates they see the value placed on partnership and collaboration, between one another but also between the school and the families. It makes for a very rewarding experience. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?