What makes a great teacher at Fusion Academy?

By Lisa Astin

Throughout my time at Fusion, I’ve seen the full spectrum of what’s involved with making a Fusion campus successful. From working in campus leadership and operations to my work now as a recruiter, I’ve learned that hiring the right teachers for the job is critical.

We do things differently at Fusion, using a one-on-one approach to education one-to-one that supports our students and teachers. That means we hire differently, too. We know that “one size fits all” doesn’t apply in education, so when looking for teachers, we certainly don’t use that philosophy either.

If you’re curious about becoming a teacher at Fusion or looking for a more fulfilling career in education, here’s what I’ve found to be the hallmarks of a great Fusion teacher.

Fusion Teachers Are…

Experts in their subject matter and life-long learners

To teach at Fusion, you must have a bachelor’s degree, and passion for the content. Many of our teachers choose subjects they have experiential knowledge of, a particular interest or background in, or that align with their life’s work. Whatever you’re an expert in and passionate about, we can work together to find you a teaching role in that subject area. This is also great for lifelong learners — lifelong learners do really well at Fusion — because they are always brushing up on their subject, and learning more along the way from their peers and experiences.

Mentors

As part of our mission of loving and supporting students, we look for relationship-driven teachers. They want to create genuine connections with their students and believe that will in turn create a better educational experience for them. We’re not transactional. We genuinely care about our students and each other.

Flexible and adaptable

One-to-one learning can come with its challenges. Sometimes a student might come into the classroom and you can tell that they’re not in a mindset to dive into the curriculum. It’s important to check in with students and understand that what you had planned for the day may need to change. Being adaptable is so important for one-to-one learning because it’s such an individualized experience. This also requires a deep sense of empathy and care. Our teachers need to have the ability to pivot as necessary. It all goes back to our values of love and support, and our teachers must meet students where they’re at.

Fusion Teachers Come From…

Traditional teaching and tutoring roles

Many of our teachers used to work in traditional classrooms or tutoring centers. After experiencing severe burnout or unfulfillment, they turn to us to try something new. They enjoy the one-to-one approach, giving students the attention they deserve, and the community and culture we offer here at Fusion.

Artistic and entrepreneurial backgrounds

Artists make wonderful Fusion teachers because they are passionate, creative, and often looking for something more flexible to balance work and their art . Painters, writers, musicians, and performers can teach their craft here and other subjects that they are passionate about. We provide the work-life balance they need to pursue other interests and work. Entrepreneurs can also make excellent Fusion teachers, enjoying the perks of work-life balance. We can work with entrepreneurs to create a schedule that works for them, giving them time for their teaching at Fusion as well as their own ventures.

Life-long learners and advanced degrees

We have rocket scientists, doctors, lawyers, researchers and several educators with advanced degrees. Researchers, for example, who are no longer feeling fulfilled in their field find really meaningful work experiences at Fusion. They get to remain immersed in their topic while exposing young minds to it, too, and share their passion.

College graduates

We’ve had success with recent college grads who are eager to start their professional journey. They are ready to dive into meaningful work, share their knowledge, and continue learning from others. It’s a rewarding transition from college student to teacher.

Retirement

It’s not uncommon for a retired teacher to join us at Fusion. Some teachers who retire early might not be ready to stop working completely, and they can find a more flexible, easy approach to teaching here. Other retirees join us, too, not just teachers. We love retirees who are passionate and bring their wealth of life experiences to the table.

One of the things I love most about being a recruiter is that we’re open to talking with anyone excited about what we do at Fusion. I’m always eager to learn about a candidate’s unique background and explore if teaching at Fusion might be a good fit for them!

If any of these traits or experiences sound like you and our values align with yours, our team would love to meet you. Explore our open roles and apply now to work at Fusion.

Apply Now >

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