Careers

We're always looking for talented individuals to join our team and become a part of the Rice Community. Rice has a unique culture: we have high expectations and standards, yet we also meet students where they're at and put them first. "Excellence" is not simply a buzzword but proven by actions and recognized by leadership. We work hard to encourage all students to achieve their unique potential. We offer top-notch academic programs, competitive athletic teams, a wide array of clubs, and many social opportunities. Rice supports high performers while encouraging genuine enjoyment of work. You do not need to have a long list of credentials, as long as you bring what we value. Open positions are listed below:

Autonomy & Respect

In education, as in many professions, increasing rules and regulations chip away at autonomy. This steady erosion leaves teachers and staff feeling like “cogs in a machine” instead of professionals. No one goes into teaching for that! At Rice, we have worked hard to create a teaching and learning culture that confers genuine autonomy. We've found this freedom often makes the classes more engaging and interactive - everyone benefits. Yes, we have standards and expectations; our teachers and students often exceed them.

Salary

Let’s talk numbers. Compared with public schools, Rice meets or exceeds salaries for many positions because of our Rice Teaches Excellence initiative. In addition, Rice is in the process of establishing a performance-based bonus system. Historically teachers have had to endure pay cuts to enjoy the independence and excellence of the Catholic school system. Those days at Rice are over. 

Community

Rice school spirit is at a level not seen in decades with a growing and engaged student body, a few State Championship sports teams, State and Regional award-winning musicians, an excellent college acceptance rate, and many more meaningful victories. Teachers are thriving in an environment that allows them freedom to teach what really matters and to operate their classroom with autonomy ... not to mention the increased salaries! There are many school-wide traditions and celebrations that bring fun and liveliness to the school community. 

At Rice, we say we're a family. We know that term is widely overused, but once you're here, you will be amazed at how true it is. 

Dedicated Courses

Teachers know how difficult it is to teach mixed-level courses. While the buzzwords sound good, teachers know that this idea, in practice, presents a difficult situation. Students learn at different rates and need to be challenged at different levels. By allowing courses to flow at their natural pace and providing an atmosphere to challenge all students at their level, Rice allows teachers to design meaningful courses and enjoy the process of teaching. 
Our approach to Academic Excellence

Dedicated, Appreciative Students

Students at Rice aren’t perfect, but generally care about academics and each other. They work hard, they encourage one another, and they spur each other on to reach the next level. Many students comment that they feel like Rice teachers know them personally and truly care about them as individuals. 

No Proficiencies

Rice, unlike almost all high schools in Vermont, does not employ proficiencies or proficiency-based grading. As such, our teachers have the time and focus to study the content of their subject matter. They delve into the rich intricacies of the purge of the House of Romanoff, the character development of Oedipus, or the disbelief that light simultaneously is both a particle and a wave. 

Rice teachers focus on curriculum. We value our teachers' time too much to make grading an endless chore, and we respect our students too much to expect low performance. Knowledge matters.

Continuing Education

Without the drag of proficiencies or other educational fads, continuing education represents an exciting opportunity for Rice teachers! Rice financially supports teachers in meaningful continuing education programs that focus on content and the art of teaching. Teachers have great flexibility and say in these decisions; in addition, Rice teachers work with each other to improve in a collegial environment. 
 

Behavior & Structure

Poor classroom behavior, particularly after Covid, haunts high schools. Teachers find themselves on the front lines of this behavioral pandemic. It is not what they signed up for as educators. Rice has a clearly structured day: it begins at 8 AM sharp, students wear uniforms, cell phones are not allowed during class, and if there are discipline infractions, there are meaningful consequences. Discipline is applied to all students equally. This well-considered structure and set of expectations creates a behavioral environment conducive to teaching and learning. 

Notably, because Rice was in-person four days a week during the 2021-2022 school year, our students did not “lose a year” in their development. Rice was the first high school in Vermont to drop its masking requirement, normalizing social behaviors as early as possible. 

Homework

The idea that homework does not matter is a growing trend in education, including in Vermont. Rice emphatically disagrees. Homework helps teenagers practice skills, allows them and the teacher to decipher where they are strong and weak, and gives them the self-confidence to puzzle-out solutions. We know homework develops discipline and structure and builds a foundation of excellent habits. 

Rice teachers give reasonable, meaningful homework. 
 

Course Sequencing

Rice carefully designs its Course List and sequencing paths to inspire progress through curriculum in a way that prepares students for upper-level courses and college. One example is the lack of redundancy: if students mastered Earth Science in middle school, it’s time to move forward to biology rather than follow a beaten, boring path. 

Teachers rely on our guidance departments to make judgements correctly in this regard, and our guidance department works collaboratively with them, integrating their feedback. 

More about Course Sequencing

Student Life Fund

We know teachers tire of writing grant proposals for innovative learning experiences. Rice Teachers can apply to an internal $50,000 fund, called the Student Life Fund, for classroom supplies or to fund events or activities. There is almost no paperwork involved once the grant is given. This fund allows teachers to get to “yes” quickly on many creative funding requests.

More about the Student Life Fund