Teacher Leadership Council
Down Under embraces a new era of teacher leadership.
Evolving from the inside, out.
As Co-Chairs, we are overjoyed to announce our first-of-its-kind Teacher Leadership Council, teacher-written employment contracts, and a management structure integrating teacher leaders into every wing of our school behind the scenes. Multiple avenues for teacher feedback now include HR, BIPOC Faculty Collaborators, Co-Chairs, and personalized seasonal meetings focused on each teachers' aspirations. Our school proudly remains an industry disruptor with employee benefits, matching retirement, maternity/paternity/unemployment and sick days, and health care for the families of full-time teachers. Our faculty-focused model survived the pandemic without firing or furloughing a single teacher or manager, sustaining all 50 teachers & 10 managers at a time many faced unemployment.
Down Under has always prioritized outstanding teachers who like to collaborate, and who put students first.
So we are breaking new ground once again with a Leadership Council that includes well-respected teachers from all traditions at Down Under. We meet seasonally to oversee all major decisions, shape our school's trajectory, raise issues, or spotlight areas we can evolve further. In October our TLC discussed proof of vaccination, new programming, and other hot topics so stay tuned for surveys asking your opinion since we will want to base decisions on your input.
With deep gratitude for you as the lifeblood of our school,
Kate Heffernan, (Vinyasa Co-Chair),
Nadja Refaie (Co-Chair & Assistant Director Iyengar School),
Dr. Sabbi Lall (Restorative Co-Chair & BIPOC Faculty Collaborator),
and Ashley Mitchell (Accomplice Circle & Movement School Co-Chair