Education

Looking to teach in an independent school? Cornelia Iredell, who runs Independent School Placement with her husband Jim, offers advice about how new teachers can get their foot in the door and explains what independent schools are looking for in their new hires. Even in this difficult economy, it's possible for recent graduates to get teaching experience and for mid-career professionals to transition into working in independent schools.

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Looking for a Private School Teaching Job? originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 08:11:06.

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February is African-American History Month, and, in addition to reflecting on the subject during the rest of the year, it's the time to think about the valiant struggle of African-American students to gain access to high-quality education. Long before the 1954 landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in which the Supreme Court declared that "separate but equal" education was inherently unequal, African-American students were trying to access college-preparatory education and there were schools that dared to have integrated student bodies. Though some these schools have now largely been forgotten, they were critical in educating African-American leaders. Read more about the history of African-American students at early independent schools.

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The History of African-Americans at Early Independent Schools originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 08:30:17.

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Sometimes, the school you chose for your child when she was younger simply isn't working for her anymore. She may find herself falling behind academically or socially, or she may want to cultivate a new interest. Don't be afraid to look for a new school that's a better fit for the young adult she is becoming. Here are some strategies to ease your child and your family into the process of finding a new school.

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How to Change from One Private School to Another originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Monday, January 23rd, 2012 at 19:57:49.

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Finding the right school for a child with Asperger's Syndrome or high-functioning autism can be difficult. Students with Asperger's often have an area of strength, such as math or history, while they struggle with social and communication skills. The right school has to offer the child accommodations and help working with his or her areas of weakness while still fostering the child's areas of strength. Fortunately, more and more special education and mainstream schools are able to understand and nurture this type of complicated student, as the number of children diagnosed with Asperger's grows in the United States each year. Here are some strategies to place a child with Asperger's Syndrome or with high-functioning autism.

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The Best Schools for Children with Asperger's Syndrome originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 at 09:25:08.

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The new teachers' pets may just be actual animals. Research shows that children who have pets in the classroom learn better. They are more relaxed, and their rates of attendance and good behavior skyrocket. While public schools are allowed only to have small animals such as hamsters in the classroom, private schools often have the luxury to have large animals such as dogs gracing their campus. In fact, some private schools have such popular pooches that the animals have become mascots, and the privilege of their presence in the classroom has inspired hefty bids at school fundraising auctions. Pets promise particular benefits for children in special education classes and those with behavior issues. Learn more about how pets help children learn.

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The New Teachers' Pets originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 08:37:14.

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Schools across the country, private and public, are sacrificing pre-schoolers' time on the playground in favor of direct instruction in the belief that this type of formal lesson will create serious students down the road. Now, experts have proven this type of thinking wrong. They've shown instead that pre-schoolers learn a great deal from "just playing" and that children who aren't allowed to play run the risk of being worse students and thinkers in later years. Learn more about the importance of play in pre-school.

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Play Helps Pre-Schoolers Learn originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 at 08:15:52.

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Students and parents often wonder whether applicants have good enough scores on the private school admissions tests, including the SSAT and ISEE, to be admitted to the school of their choice. The reality is that schools use a variety of criteria for admission, including the interview, transcripts, a student's record of extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations. In addition, a student' score on an admissions test is an important part of the application, and while there is no one answer about what makes a "good" score, here's more information about how to understand your SSAT or ISEE score and how these scores position you for admission to the school of your choice.

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So, What's A Good SSAT or ISEE Score? originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Sunday, January 8th, 2012 at 21:14:51.

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Students often make a new year's resolution to lead a more balanced life--to get their homework done early and get to bed. However, with the intense workload at many private schools, such resolutions are hard to implement. Fortunately, private schools around the country are taking a serious look at how to reduce their students' stress levels. They are staggering work, and even offering yoga classes. Read more about how schools are trying to help students lead more balanced lives.

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Private Schools Are Trying to Curb Student Stress originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 08:28:11.

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The new year is the perfect time to evaluate how well your child is working. Is her homework taking too long, and could she be more efficient? Though private schools tend to give a lot of homework in the older grades, there may be ways your child could work smarter--and get to bed earlier. Here are five strategies to speed up homework and end the nightly stress.

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End Homework Stress originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Monday, January 2nd, 2012 at 12:59:22.

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Crew is an elegant and demanding sport that dates back to ancient times, when people used oars to propel themselves down rivers such as the Nile. Traditionally a boarding school sport, crew has spread to urban areas and opened up opportunities for students in these areas to participate in the sport and attain college scholarships. Students from special education schools are also discovering the benefits of crew, a sport that builds rowers' athletic skills and cardiovascular health and that improves their self-confidence. Read more about how crew is broadening its appeal.

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Rowing Moves from Boarding Schools to Urban Rivers originally appeared on About.com Private Schools on Sunday, January 1st, 2012 at 11:15:39.

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