The Puzzle: Blog

Name:

Jordan Rossen.

Where do you teach?

Cranbrook Kingswood.

What do you do there (i.e., what subject do you teach, what sport do you coach, do you live in a dorm or supervise a club, etc.)?

I teach four sections of world literature, which is the sophomore English course. I’m also the assistant advisor for the school’s student newspaper, the Crane Clarion.

What is a typical day like for you? Please feel free to be as specific as possible!

I usually get to work at around 7:30 a.m. to finish lesson planning for the day and to print off

any necessary handouts. I teach four sections of world literature, the sophomore English course. Because Cranbrook upper school uses a block schedule, I sometimes have four classes in a day and sometimes have two classes in a day. When I’m not in class, I’m usually grading papers or meeting with students one-on-one for extra assistance.

After school, I head over to the Crane Clarion office. The Crane Clarion is the student newspaper, and I’m one of the faculty advisors. I stay working on the newspaper until around 6:00. Then I head back home, off campus.

Is this your first time working in a boarding school?

Yes.

What drew you to a boarding environment?

Even though I live off campus, I very much appreciate the boarding aspect of Cranbrook Kingswood. When I was applying for teaching jobs, I applied to boarding schools as well as day schools; both types of schools appealed to me, and I would have been happy working at either one. With that said, the more time I’ve spent in a boarding environment, the more I began to value it. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as a mentor inside and outside the classroom, and the boarding environment is one where mentorship outside of the classroom seems especially important.

What is your favorite place on your school’s campus?

Probably the Cranbrook Art Museum, which is one of the oldest contemporary art museums in the country. I’m sort of obsessed with the place.

What advice would you give to candidates hoping to work in a boarding school?

It’s important to show your desire to serve as a mentor outside of the classroom. A teacher’s role generally does not stop outside of the class, but this is especially true at a boarding school. So, I think boarding schools seek candidates who make absolutely clear that the added responsibilities are something they are seeking out and not just something they would begrudgingly accept.

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