• How do we learn?
  • What can we create?
  • What does it mean to lead?

    These three essential questions form the basis of instruction at the Science Leadership Academy (SLA) – a new Philadelphia high school opening in September 2006. The SLA is built on the notion that inquiry is the very first step in the process of learning. Developed in partnership with The Franklin Institute – a nationally recognized science and technology museum – and its commitment to inquiry-based science, the SLA will provide a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum with a focus on science, technology, mathematics and entrepreneurship. Students at the SLA will learn in a project-based environment where the core values of inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation and reflection are emphasized in all classes.

    • At long last, the first of the announcements for SLA’s founding faculty have been posted on the School District of Philadelphia web site. We also have my version of the position announcements posted on SLA web site.

    This means that we can now officially start the hiring process for the folks who are going to take this vision I’ve been writing and talking about for the past six months and make it come alive. For folks who are interested in urban school reform, this is the chance to be part of the founding faculty of a really unique partnership school — and the opportunity to be a part of a school reform movement in Philadelphia where the support for this reform movement starts with the CEO and permeates through every level of the district and regional administration. Sure, I’m biased — I moved to Philadelphia for the chance to be part of this reform movement, but I think we need our founding faculty to be as excited about this school as I am.

    For folks who are thinking of applying, please make sure that you read through the postings on the SLA Web site, and start the process of getting approved by the School District of Philadelphia as soon as you can. And if you are wondering about the direction we’re looking to take SLA, you may want to read the Briefing Book from our recent curriculum summit before you send me a resume and cover letter. The briefing book has everything from our mission statement to our current curriculum plans in most subjects and a lot of writing about school life and governance issues as well.

    And if I could sum up our philosophy in one line:

    Applicants must be committed to the idea that we teach students first and our subjects second.

    (But read the position announcement and briefing book too.)

    We are looking for the following positions:

    If you are interested in applying, please send a resume and cover letter to my work email:clehmann [at] fi.edu to indicate interest, but again all positions must go through the School District of Philadelphia Site Selection Process.

    (and if you are a blogging reader of this site, please think about linking this announcement. I’m hoping to use the blog to cast as wide a net as I can to find the teachers who will become our founding faculty. We’ve spent a lot of time talking lately about finding ways that blogs an agent of change. I’m hoping this recruiting process is one of them.)