Childrey Teaching Fellowship

The Kate Childrey Teaching Fellowship

Created in 2017 to honor the life and impact of Kate Childrey, a beloved JK assistant teacher, The Kate Childrey Teaching Fellowship is designed to provide aspiring educators with the opportunity to learn about the profession and independent schools.

About the Fellowship

The Childrey Teaching Fellowship is a two-year training program that emphasizes independent and collaborative teaching, curriculum planning, and professional development in either of St. Christopher’s three divisions.

Specific responsibilities for the Fellowship will vary based on divisional placement within the school and the candidate's demonstrated readiness. Over the two year experience, however, Fellows typically move from initially observing and shadowing mentor teachers to teaching lessons and units of a class to being responsible for their own section or more of a course or classroom.

Fellows are full time faculty members and are considered essential parts of the instructional team of the School. In addition, they are immersed in the life of the School as academic advisors, co-curricular sponsors, and athletic team coaches.

Throughout their experience, Fellows will be supported through a mentor program, academic instructional support, and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of aspects of school life.

At the conclusion of their two years, Fellows should be well prepared and attractive candidates for their next placement in schools.

Update

We are currently accepting applications.

Fellows Characteristics

Strong candidates for The Childrey Fellowship program will:

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Have earned or be in the process of earning a Bachelor's degree with an excellent academic record
- A degree in education is not required
- Professional certification is not required
Demonstrate an interest in working with young people
Exhibit a growth mindset and openness to learning
Respect the mission and vision of St. Christopher’s for developing young men of character
Possess a sincere desire to immerse themselves fully in the life of the School

Fellows Support

Childrey Fellows can expect:

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Guidance from a team of veteran mentor teachers and coaches
Support from a grade level team or academic department (depending on the placement)
Development opportunities through a curriculum and instruction administrator and department/division head
Opportunities for growth through partner organization such as the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), and the International Boys Schools Coalition (IBSC)
Consideration for course work toward an appropriately related degree

Frequently Asked Questions

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Why all boys?

Particularly at younger ages, boys and girls have different developmental timelines and needs. With only boys, we are able to shape our curricular and co-curricular programs to that timeline and set of needs. From reading choices to the amount of recess time, we work to ensure the mental, physical, psychological, and emotional health of our young men. At a time when boys and men are the subject of great attention for their struggles, our relational teaching program is cutting edge in educating and loving them!
What is the timeline for decisions on the Fellowship?

The application process will remain open until the position is filled. Ideally, the School will collect candidate materials throughout the fall and begin interviewing candidates virtually. On-campus interviews will follow in late fall with a smaller number of candidates. Final decisions and an offer of employment will be made when the School feels they have found the right candidate.
Can I live on the Fellows’ salary?

Absolutely. Childrey Fellows will receive a salary commensurate with their experience and expertise in a city with a friendly cost of living compared with many cities along the East Coast. In addition, on campus housing, consisting of a furnished one bedroom apartment with an efficiency kitchen and private bath, will be provided. All utilities besides cable are included. As a faculty member, Fellows will have access to as many as 12 meals (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners) per week during the school year through the campus meal plan.
What if after a year I decide that I no longer want to pursue teaching as a profession?

While the Fellowship is designed for two years, both the candidate and the School can decide not to pursue a second year for any reason. Trying and figuring out that you do not want a career in education is a valuable learning experience.
Is Richmond a fun city?

Richmond’s residents enjoy big-city amenities combined with family-friendly quality of life. Not only does Richmond's appealing climate and location make it an enjoyable and exciting city in which to work and live, but it is ideally situated for a short road trip to the mountains of Charlottesville, to beaches in the Hampton Roads area, or to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Learn more about our amazing community.
Do I need to be an Episcopalian to work at St. Christopher’s?

Not at all. Episcopal schools typically practice what is known as radical hospitality and seek to bring together students/families and faculty/employees from all walks of life to work together and make their communities better places to live. St. Christopher’s does expect students and employees to respect its traditions and practices.

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Nick Sherod '16

Upper School Childrey Teaching Fellow (2022 - 2024)

"The Childrey Fellowship has been an amazing and enriching experience for which I am extremely grateful. During my time as a student here, I had the privilege of learning from our exceptional staff of teachers. Now, as a colleague, I find myself in the position to learn from them once more. The Childrey Fellowship has been invaluable in helping me grow.
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Marissa Sanghvi

Upper School Teacher of Mathematics
Upper School Childrey Teaching Fellow (2020-2022)

"I came to St. Christopher’s to teach Upper School math as the Kate Childrey Fellow, a program that gives young educators the opportunity to learn how to teach by observing more experienced teachers and slowly building their class load.
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Martin Millspaugh

Middle School Teacher of English
Middle School Childrey Teaching Fellow (2018-2020)

"The Childrey Fellowship’s support empowered me to begin the learning process that continues to inform my career as an educator, coach and mentor. I arrived at St. Christopher’s without any formal training as a classroom teacher, but the program, with its emphasis on daily practice and meaningful classroom time, changed my life.
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What is a day in the life of a Childrey Fellow?

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A Day in the Life of a Middle or Upper School Childrey Fellow
- 8 a.m.: Attend chapel with the entire student body and faculty of the division for an inspirational message
- 8:30 a.m.: Observe a class of your mentor teacher
- 9:30 a.m.: Meet with your mentor teacher to discuss their instructional choices and share your observations of student learning
- 10:30 a.m.: Share a cup of coffee with other teachers in your division
- 10:45 a.m.: Meet with your mentor’s advisory group to check in on recent assembly programs and life in general
- 11:15 a.m.: Work with a student on their writing, problem set, or accent
- 11:40 a.m.: Lead a class through a lesson developed with your mentor
- 12:20 p.m.: Enjoy lunch with some of the students in your class or with faculty from across the campus
- 1:10 p.m: Work on lesson plans for tomorrow or practice plans for this afternoon
- 2:45 p.m.: Help coach a middle school team
- 3:45 p.m.: Help coach an upper school team, lead a service trip downtown, or support the student publications team
- 5:45 p.m: Have dinner in the dining hall with other faculty and their families
A Day in the Life of a Lower School Childrey Fellow
- 7:45 a.m.: Help with welcoming the boys to school in the carpool lane
- 8 a.m.: Prepare the boys for Chapel with the entire lower school or for their first lesson of the day
- 8:30 a.m.: Observe your mentor teacher leading a reading lesson; help a small group of boys with their reading skills
- 9:45 a.m.: Meet with your mentor teacher to discuss their instructional choices and share your observations of student learning while the boys attend a specialty class
- 10:30 a.m.: Work with a student on their spelling or counting skills
- 11:15 a.m.: Assist in walking the boys to lunch
- 12:30 p.m: Work on lesson plans for tomorrow or practice plans for this afternoon
- 2:45 p.m.: Help coach a middle school team
- 3:45 p.m.: Help coach an upper school team, lead a service trip downtown, or support the student publications team
- 5:45 p.m: Have dinner in the dining hall with other faculty and their families
A Year in the Life of a Childrey Fellow
- August: Attend the VAIS New Teachers Institute, the IBSC New to Boys Schools program, and the St. Christopher’s New Faculty and Staff Orientation
- September-October: Shadow your mentor teacher in class, meet with them about the syllabus, discuss with them instructional options and choices, observe classes of other faculty members
- November-December: Begin leading parts of classroom lessons then full class periods; continue observing other teachers
- January-March: Instruct multiple classes over multiple days as you are ready; receive, digest and put into practice feedback from instruction
- April-June: Take over a section of your mentor teacher’s classes to run independently with appropriate guidance
- All year: Support an advisory group with weekly attendance at meetings and other programming
- All year: Coach multiple teams or direct co-curricular activities on a daily basis through the year

Ideally, in year two of the Fellowship, you will be assigned one or two academic sections to teach for the year while continuing to support an advisory group and coach or direct in athletics or other parts of the co-curricular program.