Endowed
Positions and Professional Development
Goal: $67.0 Million
Within the next 15 years, 40 percent of the Exeter
faculty is expected to retire. While this figure
represents fairly typical turnover for the Academy,
it highlights the need for Exeter to pay continual
attention to attracting candidates of equally high
caliber to replace these senior teachers. More than
any other factor, these new teachers will influence
the quality of education at the Academy for the next
half century.
Today there is much greater competition for the
high-caliber faculty and staff who are capable of
meeting Exeter’s standards. With a wider range
of options open to candidates in public magnet schools
and independent day schools, as well as opportunities
in business, finance or technology that did not exist
20 years ago, we must ensure that our compensation,
professional development opportunities and quality
of life in a boarding school community are outstanding.
For the faculty, Exeter must consider the two demanding
roles held by its teachers—those of classroom
instructor and residential adviser—and retain
individuals who excel in scholarship and teaching
while also being committed to working with adolescents
in a residential setting. For the staff, Exeter must
consider the changes that have occurred in educational
support and in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire
over the last 20 years. Running a 24-hour-a-day educational
institution requires more complex skills today, as
well as a staff that is committed to supporting the
work of teachers and students.
To address this challenge, Exeter has formulated
the Faculty and Staff Endowment Initiative, which
represents a new endeavor in secondary education.
To our knowledge, no other school, and only a handful
of select colleges and universities have attempted
anything similar. The Distinguished Professorships
component of the Initiative is based on the Sterling
Professorships at Yale and the University Professorships
at both Harvard and Princeton. The Academy is taking
a bold step forward in faculty support and recognition
that will serve as a model for secondary schools
in the years ahead.
The Initiative will endow a total of 29 faculty
positions and will also support a professional development
fellowship program for faculty and staff. In addition
to funding a teacher’s salary, each endowed
position will also carry a professional development
award, which will permit the instructor to conduct
research, attend conferences, travel or pursue other
enrichment activities.
Taken together, the compensation program and professional
development opportunities will give Exeter a competitive
advantage in recruitment and retention of the candidates
Exeter most wishes to attract—faculty and staff
who are committed to education and eager to grow
in their chosen fields.
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