Why PhDs Are Leaving the University (And How to Get Them into Independent Schools)

Transcription

1 Why PhDs Are Leaving the University (And How to Get Them into Independent Schools) Dan Budak Stephanie Bramlett, Ph.D.

2 Agenda Background/Guiding Data Why are PhDs leaving the university? Why do Independent Schools want PhDs? How do Independent Schools find and attract PhDs?

3 Number of PhD Recipients (Selected Years) Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates 2013

4 Primary Source of Funding for PhDs 2013 Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2013

5 Percentage of PhDs Teaching in Elementary or Secondary Education Source: Survey of Earned Doctorates 2013

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7 Why are PhDs Leaving the University?

8 Dissatisfied with Tenure Process Fewer tenure track jobs What you need to get tenure has changed Publish or Perish = teaching not prioritized

9 Though I interviewed at other colleges nothing panned out. Holding two part-time positions did not provide the stability I was seeking. I also had no desire to enter into a post-doctoral program and struggle for an additional 2 years nor did I see myself as a full-time research scientist or college professor. After a few other conversations with others, including my mother, I decided to pursue a teaching career in high school. Jack, Biology Teacher

10 Dissatisfied with Department No job security without tenure Many departments (especially in liberal arts) significantly underfunded and under-resourced Lack of personal and professional development opportunities

11 I was interested in a career that involved advanced academic work, but realized along the way to completing my Ph.D. that I preferred teaching about advanced concepts more than the lifestyle of a researching scholar. Jasper, History Department Chair

12 Strong academic support with purpose, excellent safety net for students and teachers alike. A community DEDICATED toward teaching, in and out of the classroom. Clarence, Physics Teacher

13 Dissatisfied with Teaching Experience Not much time is spent teaching Uninterested/unmotivated students Large class size

14 My experience at large universities taught me how difficult it was to teach a group of students who wore many hats and could not necessarily devote the effort to master a new language. I realized that I wanted to teach a group of young motivated students who could devote the necessary time and become truly bilingual. Alejandro, Spanish Teacher

15 Why Independent Schools Need PhDs I would recommend independent school teaching to any PhD who has not forgotten the central role of teaching in our craft. Mark, History teacher

16 Schools of the Future: The Big Shifts Knowing vs. Doing Teacher-centered vs. Student-Centered The Individual vs. The Team Consumption of Information vs. Construction of Meaning School vs. Networks Single Sourcing vs. Crowdsourcing High Stakes Testing vs. High Value Demonstrations

17 Why Independent Schools need PhDs Skilled teachers with innovative practices Experts in their disciplines Help meet goals in strategic plan Understand how to navigate college

18 How to Recruit and Retain PhDs

19 How to Recruit and Retain PhD s Identify goals specific to your school Partner with local colleges and universities Offer ample professional development support for teaching and scholarship

20 There are certain facets of the job in independent schools (set schedules, supervision, parents, etc.) that require an adjustment for those transitioning from an academic setting. -Mark, History Teacher The energy I used to put toward research I am now able to put toward becoming a stronger teacher. I am able to do some research, which keeps that muscle strong. -Bernie, Biology Teacher I felt behind when I joined the faculty. I had taught at the college level, but needed to remember what age group I was teaching. Meeting with my department head and taking a few workshops has helped. -Cliff, Physics Teacher

21 How to find and recruit PhD s Identify programs that support strong teacher development. o Centers for Teaching and Learning and Preparing Future Faculty programs o Minor in teaching along with degree

22 Next Steps Expand as a full research project Encourage administrators and department heads to talk to their current faculty with PhD s Bring this conversation to the graduate schools

23 Thank You Stephanie Bramlett, Ph.D. and Daniel Budak St. Luke s School- New Canaan, CT bramletts@stlukesct.org daniel.r.budak@gmail.com

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26 We have finally reached the point in the presentation where we point out that tapping the PhD pool is a twoway street. How does a school find, attract, and welcome a new teaching force such as the recent PhD? The normal channels are certainly fruitful as long as the candidates have found their way to the NAIS jobs page or Carney Sandoe, etc. We feel proactive search and new relationships can be formed to help facilitate the recruitment process.