Faculty, Florence – Fall 2024

Title: Teaching Faculty
Location: Florence, Italy
Term: Fall 2024 Semester (Co.co.co. or Partita Iva)
Min. Experience: Minimum 1 year of teaching experience in the English language at college level 

Verto is on a mission to provide the best possible start to college. We start by making travel and experiential education a core part of every student’s Freshman year. Our students begin college overseas in one of 6 Verto locations, before seamlessly transferring to one of over 70 partner universities in the United States. While completing 1 or 2 semesters with Verto, students 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 making them 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.  

Qualified faculty are invited to apply to teach as part of the Verto Study Abroad Experience. Our participants begin their first year of college overseas in one of six Verto locations and take fully accredited in-person classes from our Academic Provider, the University of New Haven. After completing their semester, participants can transfer to one of 70 partner universities in the United States. Verto’s mission is to help change higher education in positive, student-focused ways, creating new pathways to help students access college. We are looking for faculty who are passionate about teaching, flexible in a dynamic learning environment, and can work in a collaborative environment. 

Position Description

Candidates must be dynamic teachers who are motivated by working with a diverse student population. Faculty will participate in academic and professional development training prior to, and throughout, the semester to support teaching and learning. All faculty will develop and lead experiential learning activities as part of the curriculum.

The successful candidates are highly collaborative. They work with 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. The Verto academic team will help ensure unity across instructors, conduct classroom observations and evaluations, offer feedback and coaching, and provide a selection of course materials. 

Course assignments are typically 45 hours (3 US credits) or 60 hours (4 US credit) courses, depending on the course and discipline. 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 and Cengage textbooks.

Position Duties

Faculty are required to provide daily class attendance records, regularly input grades in the learning management system (Canvas) following the established parts of the academic term, provide mid-term grades and maintain highly accurate academic information related to the course. Faculty will evaluate students’ course submissions, provide ongoing, formative feedback, and score student work in a timely and constructive manner. Faculty will also be required to offer 20 office hours across the course of the semester. 

Active and experiential learning is a key element of teaching at Verto. Faculty will work with program staff to embed experiential activities into the course prior to the start of each term and may accompany students on academically-focused excursions. They are expected to foster learning environments that are respectful and positive, conducive to early college student development, and adhere to Verto values.

Faculty must build and maintain positive, collaborative, and professional relationships with program participants and staff. They will work closely with Academic Success Coordinators on specific student issues related to student academic success in their course(s).

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s or terminal degree (PhD) in the field of study or a closely related field.  
• Minimum of eighteen graduate credits in the field of study relevant to the course(s) of interest.
• A minimum of one year of teaching experience in the English language at the collegiate level. Experience with U.S. higher education strongly preferred.
• Must have the right to work in Italy.
• Experience with active and discussion-based learning; proven record of successfully working with students of diverse economic, racial, cultural, and educational backgrounds, and varied learning styles and abilities.

Application Instructions – To apply, please submit the following:

Required:

• Cover Letter – a letter of interest (no more than 1 page) that articulates your experience and qualifications in relation to the job description. Please share your experience with U.S. higher education and higher education systems in the country where you are applying to teach. 

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

• References – Names and contact information of two persons who will provide a professional recommendation.

Recommended and/or Upon Request:

• Teaching evaluations from up to three separate semesters, if available.
• Teaching Philosophy Statement that articulates your approach to teaching, highlighting specific examples of active and experiential learning, your commitment to student diversity, and how to support diverse learners needs. 

Faculty will be asked to share a schedule of availability as part of the hiring process. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Verto Education is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Possible Course Offerings for Fall 2024:  This is an initial overview of Fall 2024 course offerings. This is subject to change. 

All Verto course offerings can be found under Academic Pathways → Fall Course Offerings.