Jason Lody gives career advice to YEP-DC'ers last week. (Photo courtesy of Jeremy Meredith.)
Ordained Catholic priest.
Police officer.
Executive director of a Hebrew immersion school.
Jason Lody, who has worked in all of these positions, is a testament to what he preaches: “There is no such thing as traditional career path,” he told a packed room of YEP-DC members at the organization’s premiere event, Edu-Jobs, last week.
Lody said the idea that job-seekers need prescribed degrees or work experiences no longer holds true; instead, hiring managers in schools, districts, and state departments look for skills. “Education and the landscape of education has gotten to be so exciting,” Lody said, “it’s adjusted our perspective on what we look for.” The question, for example, isn’t whether the applicant worked in an elementary classroom, but whether that candidate’s previous experience working as an office manager demonstrates her abilities to lead a classroom and connect with students, parents, and the community. “Sure, you need to know content … but you also need to know theatrics,” he said. “And you need to know theories of leadership … but you need a personality.”
Police officer.
Executive director of a Hebrew immersion school.
Jason Lody, who has worked in all of these positions, is a testament to what he preaches: “There is no such thing as traditional career path,” he told a packed room of YEP-DC members at the organization’s premiere event, Edu-Jobs, last week.
Lody said the idea that job-seekers need prescribed degrees or work experiences no longer holds true; instead, hiring managers in schools, districts, and state departments look for skills. “Education and the landscape of education has gotten to be so exciting,” Lody said, “it’s adjusted our perspective on what we look for.” The question, for example, isn’t whether the applicant worked in an elementary classroom, but whether that candidate’s previous experience working as an office manager demonstrates her abilities to lead a classroom and connect with students, parents, and the community. “Sure, you need to know content … but you also need to know theatrics,” he said. “And you need to know theories of leadership … but you need a personality.”
Lody’s career path started in the classroom and then shifted to closing and consolidating schools in Albany, N.Y. His “radical sabbatical,” as he called it, meant leaving education to start a job with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Four years on the force as a patrol officer, training officer, and member of the Gang Task Force taught him more about family dynamics and relationships, a skill he says will be valuable in the classroom. Now, he’s establishing the Sela Public Charter School, the first Hebrew language immersion school in D.C., where students will learn coursework in English and Hebrew on alternating days. It’s slated to open this fall.
After Lody’s speech, the Edu-Jobs event included small, breakout sessions with 20 different facilitators. Attendees—many job searching, networking, or simply contemplating the next career move—chose facilitators to meet and speak with. The facilitators, from schools, districts, charters, think tanks, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and government jobs, doled out advice for networking, job searches, and potential opportunities in the area. In Lody’s group, he told YEP-DC’ers about the challenges of opening a new charter school (ensuring special education compliance, developing a tiered and appropriate discipline plan, and using a governance and finance structure that promotes transparency and accountability). He also offered strategies for being a good leader: “You’re not going to be liked and that’s OK.” And, he says, a work/life balance is possible and necessary in schools.
YEP-DC thanks the American Federation of Teachers for donating the space to host this event.
Layla Bonnot is an education policy researcher with a focus on K-12, state-level issues. She can be reached at laylabonnot(at)gmail(dot)com.
After Lody’s speech, the Edu-Jobs event included small, breakout sessions with 20 different facilitators. Attendees—many job searching, networking, or simply contemplating the next career move—chose facilitators to meet and speak with. The facilitators, from schools, districts, charters, think tanks, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and government jobs, doled out advice for networking, job searches, and potential opportunities in the area. In Lody’s group, he told YEP-DC’ers about the challenges of opening a new charter school (ensuring special education compliance, developing a tiered and appropriate discipline plan, and using a governance and finance structure that promotes transparency and accountability). He also offered strategies for being a good leader: “You’re not going to be liked and that’s OK.” And, he says, a work/life balance is possible and necessary in schools.
YEP-DC thanks the American Federation of Teachers for donating the space to host this event.
Layla Bonnot is an education policy researcher with a focus on K-12, state-level issues. She can be reached at laylabonnot(at)gmail(dot)com.
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