Job description:

Alzar School teachers motivate, inspire, and educate our students both in and out of the classroom.  They are passionate educators who are excited to share their knowledge of content areas, enthusiasm for the outdoors, and curiosity for cultural learning.  

Alzar School is a semester school for students in 10th and 11th grades.  We are a nonprofit, accredited independent school.  Our students are highly motivated teenagers who want to make a difference in the world.  Alzar School’s main campus is in Cascade, Idaho, but each semester includes extended cultural immersion in Chile.  Faculty travel with the students to Chile, living and working there for approximately 6-7 weeks each semester.  Alzar School offers students challenging and engaging instruction at Honors or AP level.  Additionally, Alzar School teachers serve as outdoor instructors on either backpacking (multi-day, backcountry settings) or whitewater kayaking and/or rafting expeditions.  Each semester, students and faculty spend four weeks on expedition (two in North America / Rocky Mountains, and two in Patagonia, Chile).  We accomplish our mission to ‘build leaders who positively impact the world’ through the intersection of academics, outdoor adventure, and cultural immersion.  As a school community, we value diverse experience, perspectives, identities, and skill sets. 

Contracts are for two-year minimum commitment.  Newly hired teachers will begin with on-site training in Cascade, Idaho June 6-28, 2022 (includes time in the field).  New hires will then have over a month for recharge or summer work opportunities until all-staff training begins Aug.1, 2022.  Our fall semester ends in Chile, and our Spring semester begins in Chile.  Winter break for faculty is Dec.21, 2022-Jan.16, 2023.  Faculty have the choice to return to the US during this time, or stay in Chile (and have access to Alzar School housing, vehicles, kayaks etc.).  Work for the 2022-2023 school year concludes May 31st.  After the first year, teachers are not required to attend June ‘institutes’, and have approximately two months off.

We invite applicants from a variety of backgrounds to apply, and firmly believe that a diverse faculty enriches our staff community and connections with students.  Some applicants may possess skills in certain areas and less experience in others, for example: academic, outdoor, residential, leadership, or cultural, amongst others.  We look forward to the opportunity to review your application!

Qualifications:

– strong knowledge of content area (either through past studies, professional experience, or direct teaching experience)

– demonstrates passion and enthusiasm for the content

– adaptable, able to take challenges in stride

– strong communication and interpersonal skills

– robust experience either 1) backpacking or 2) whitewater rafting and/or kayaking or 3) transferable skills from another outdoor sport