Faculty, Prague – Fall 2024

Title: Teaching Faculty
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Term: Fall 2024 Semester (4-month contract)
Minimum Experience: 1 year of teaching experience at the university level

Verto is on a mission to provide the best possible start to college. We do this by making travel and experiential education foundational to every student’s higher education journey. Our participants begin college in one of 5 Verto global locations, before seamlessly transferring to one of over 50 partner universities in the United States. While completing their studies abroad with Verto, participants become more mature, empathetic global citizens who have a greater sense of purpose and direction for their lives.

At Verto, we’re creating a different model. We’re driving the costs down and acceptance rates up. We connect students to the world and give them a chance to discover who they are before asking them to choose a major. We’re out to build a transformational company that makes higher education more accessible and impactful. We are backed by First Round Capital and other top VCs. 

At Verto Education we value voices of all backgrounds and experiences. We know that creating a diverse environment takes dedication and intentional hiring practices. We are cognizant of the gap between our current state and our commitments. In order to bridge that gap, we have to humbly evaluate where we are today.  

Verto Education provides immersive learning and experiential education for first and second year U.S. college students. Students earn college credits and a pathway to postsecondary education through Verto’s Academic Provider, the University of New Haven (Connecticut, USA). Verto is on a mission to help change higher education in positive, student-focused ways, creating new pathways to help students access college. You can learn more about Verto’s Academic Provider, the academic program, and review planned courses here. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Faculty are invited to apply to teach as part of the Verto Study Abroad Experience in Prague.

The successful candidates will be highly motivated, student-oriented educators who bring courses to life for students through a combination of active classroom learning and experiential field activities. Faculty must possess a strong commitment to teaching and undergraduate experiential education, and be prepared to work with diverse students early in their higher education journey. 

Active and experiential learning is a key element of teaching. Faculty will work with program staff to embed experiential activities into the course prior to the start of each term and will teach in traditional classroom settings and beyond. Verto’s academic team will provide ongoing faculty training and support, help ensure unity across instructors and student experiences, offer feedback and coaching, and provide access to a wide variety of teaching resources and course materials.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Faculty are responsible for teaching and creating a strong and inclusive learning environment for all participants, and for following the established teaching methodologies and expectations of Verto, its Academic Provider, and other stakeholders. Faculty design courses following the experiential teaching approaches and utilizing the provided syllabi and supporting resources, including LMS and online textbooks. Faculty implement academic policies and coursework in compliance with academic requirements established with Verto’s Academic Provider(s). This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Develop course(s) utilizing the provided academic policies, course syllabi and LMS (Canvas) resources, templates and timelines
• Evaluate students’ course submissions, provide ongoing, formative feedback, and score student work in a timely and constructive manner. 
• Assess student mastery of Student Learning Outcomes in your course(s).
• Participate in approximately 12 hours of faculty training & development prior to program start date and up to 8 hours of training/professional development throughout the semester.
• Use Canvas (Learning Management System) and Cengage textbooks and resources effectively and as required.
• Diligently meet the specific, documented needs of students with academic accommodations.
• Work closely with Academic Success Coordinators on specific student issues related to student academic success in your course(s).
• Educate participants and enforce policies on Attendance and Academic Integrity, and proactively address any related concerns or disputes or appeals with students directly as needed.
• Verify accurate course rosters and attendance, including verifications of rosters at the start of term, during Add/Drop, and reporting last date of attendance for course/program withdrawals following relevant deadlines 
• Follow established academic calendar(s) and grading progress and policies, regularing reporting grades via LMS to ensure participants know their current academic standing throughout the term
• Maintain highly accurate academic records related to assignments and attendance and provide regular, timely, formative and summative assessments of student learning
• Submit grades on-time and accurately through the Academic Provider’s grade reporting software (Banner), following established mid-term and end-of-term grade reporting timelines
• Utilize learner-centered active learning approaches to create an engaging classroom experience alongside Verto’s experiential learning model, building structured in and out of class academic activities that utilize the local community to facilitate place-based learning
• Foster learning environments that are respectful and positive, conducive to early college student development, adhere to Verto values, and that are characterized by aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging such as:
• Helping students develop their academic identity and foundational academic skills
• Appropriate use of professional language and tone
• Active classroom management and consideration of power dynamics in faculty-student relationships
• Correct use of preferred names and pronouns
• Engage with students at different academic levels and help them connect the coursework to their experiences in and out of the classroom.
• Engage with students to build academic skills and habits for academic success and reinforce academic norms regarding academic integrity. 
• Maintain flexibility with the curriculum as dictated by participant and stakeholder needs.
• Build and maintain positive, collaborative, and professional relationships with program participants, staff, and community partners.
• Share good practices with other faculty and staff in your location and globally.
• Demonstrate high levels of professionalism and commitment to teaching.
• Other duties as reasonably assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or terminal degree (PhD) in the field of study or a closely related field.  
• Minimum eighteen graduate credits in the field of study relevant to the course(s) of interest.
• A minimum of two years of teaching experience in the English language with at least one year teaching at the collegiate level.
• Demonstrated success in teaching students with varied learning styles and abilities.
• Appreciation for, and proven record of, success in working with students of diverse economic, racial, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to assess student progress on Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the course and Core Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for the organization.
• Able to be flexible and adapt to challenges as they arise.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with careful attention to the fine details.
• Ability to receive and apply feedback.
• Passion for active, experiential, reflective and discussion-based learning and helping students make meaning out of their experiences.
• Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoys open collaboration and teamwork.
• Must have the legal right to work in the Czech Republic and/or the European Union. Verto Education does not sponsor visas or permits of stay.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The successful candidates are highly collaborative. They work closely with team members within and across global Verto locations, including the Program and Academic Director(s), Academic Managers, and Academic Success Coordinators, to provide comprehensive student care and excellence in teaching and learning to a diverse student body. Faculty are an integral part of helping new college students build appropriate academic skills and will integrate academic skill building into courses and help identify growth opportunities for learners. 

Candidates must be dynamic teachers who are motivated by working with a diverse student population and building professional relationships with students and peers to support student engagement and academic success. Faculty will participate in academic and professional development training prior to, and throughout, the semester to support teaching and learning. Faculty are required to utilize the established academic policies and daily reporting tools for attendance, as described below. All faculty will develop and lead experiential learning activities as part of the curriculum. 

• Faculty who are intellectually curious and motivated, and understand how to teach concepts in various teaching settings (e.g., with or without access to technology and internet).
• Faculty who demonstrate genuine care about students and ability to connect and engage students in learning. 
• Faculty who are willing to go that extra mile to ensure students succeed in academics and in their start to their new college career.
• Faculty who excel at and love teaching, and are also willing to learn from their students and colleagues.
• Faculty who are versatile and flexible to meet dynamic and changing environments. 
• Faculty who demonstrate high levels of professionalism and commitment.
• Verto seeks faculty who can be a bridge to the local culture and help bring learning to life for students above all else.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

To apply, please submit the following:

• Cover Letter – a letter of interest (no more than 2 pages) that articulates your experience and qualifications in relation to the job description. Please share your experience with US higher education and higher education systems in the country where you are applying to teach, and specific examples of active and experiential learning and how you support diverse learners’ needs.. 

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) 
• References – Names and contact information of three people who will provide a professional recommendation.
• Unofficial transcripts of your graduate work. If your graduate degree was conferred from an institution that doesn’t traditionally issue transcripts, please upload a scanned copy of your diploma.
• Teaching evaluations from up to three separate semesters, if available.

Faculty will be asked to share a schedule of availability and complete a background check as part of the hiring process. All faculty are subject to final review and approval by the University of New Haven. 

ENROLLMENT SIZES & COURSE DETAILS

Course assignments are typically 45 hours (3 U.S. credits) or 60 hours (4 U.S. credit) courses, depending on the course and discipline. Faculty will typically teach multiple sections of the same course, and/or multiple courses directly related to their academic field of expertise, if related courses are available. Course syllabi are developed and approved by the relevant Academic Provider, along with specific information regarding course learning outcomes, academic policies, assessment of learning, and overall expectations. Faculty will develop their own course materials, including readings, assignments, experiential learning activities, and develop and manage a course site via the Learning Management System, Canvas.

Section enrollment varies by program location, scheduling, student enrollment, and classroom size. Specific information will be provided by the local program staff. 

• Language courses: Approximately 15-18 students  
• Non-language courses:  Approximately 20-30 students  
• Lab courses:  Typically fewer than 25 students   

All planned course offerings can be found on the Verto website Academic Pathways → see Fall Course Offerings. Courses are subject to change based on final enrollment and participant eligibility and interests.