Cady Staff

8th Grade Humanities Teacher – High Tech Middle Chula Vista
TL Graduate 2009

Action Research Project:"Engaging, Empowering and Persevering by building Social Businesses"

“Before I entered the HTH GSE Teacher Leadership Program, I didn't consider myself a leader. The program changed the way I understand leadership and helped me to pursue opportunities to lead from within. If not for the program, I would not have had the courage or confidence to leap out of my comfort zone and become a founding member of a new middle school this year. During the program (and beyond), I was able to work with an amazingly supportive and brilliant cohort of teachers who continue to inspire me and challenge me to be a better teacher. My colleagues, professors and advisor helped me clarify my goals as an educator – to promote life-long learning and positive change in the lives of my students – and take concrete steps toward these goals. And my learning did not end with graduation. Instead, the program planted the seeds for continuous growth as a leader and action researcher, encouraging me to pursue my "fierce wonderings" about teaching and learning, and equipping me with the skills to do so. Questioning, pursuing my passions, seeking out help from others, asking my students for constant feedback and looking at experts in the field. The Teacher Leadership program fostered all of these skills and habits in me, and helped me to nurture these same things in my students and colleagues.”

Cady Staff earned her B.A. in Literature/Writing from UC San Diego, her secondary credential and M.Ed. from UC San Diego and her M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from the HTH Graduate School of Education. She worked at San Diego High School and Madison High School before becoming a founding teacher of High Tech Middle Media Arts in 2005. In 2010, she helped to found High Tech Middle Chula Vista, where she currently teaches 8th grade Humanities and publishes cool books with kids.Less ←

“The program changed the way I understand leadership and helped me to pursue opportunities to lead from within. If not for the program, I would not have had the courage or confidence to leap out of my comfort zone and become a founding member of a new middle school this year.”

Read more

Cady Staff

8th Grade Humanities Teacher – High Tech Middle Chula Vista
TL Graduate 2009

Next profile →        [All profiles]

Info-Session Dates

Those interested in our M.Ed. Programs in Teacher Leadership and School Leadership are strongly encouraged to attend an info-session to learn more about our programs and to meet GSE faculty and current students. Info-sessions take place at the Gary & Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High building located at 2861 Womble Road, San Diego 92106 Map 

November 17, 2011 from 5-6:15 pm

January 12, 2012 from 5-6:15 pm

February 9, 2012 from 5-6:15pm

To RSVP, please complete the following form: GSE Info-Session RSVP

Please note that the above info-sessions are for the M.Ed. programs. If you are interested in our credential programs, you can learn more here. 

Admission Requirements for the Teacher Leadership (TL) and School Leadership (SL) M.Ed. Programs:

• Earned BA/BS from a regionally accredited university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a lower GPA include an explanation of their academic qualifications in their application. (If the degree was earned outside of the U.S., the transcript must be evaluated for equivalence by one of the agencies listed here: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl635.pdf .)
• The program requires a strong command of written and spoken English prior to entry. Applicants whose native language is not English are required to achieve a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 on the paper-based version, or 216 on the computer based version, or 80 on the internet-based version (iBT). TOEFL scores must be no more than two years old at time of application.
• Three years prior experience working in schools is strongly preferred.
• The GRE is not required for admission to the HTH GSE.

Application Process for the TL and SL Programs:

To apply, submit a completed application as described in the application instructions.
Applications should include:

• Completed HTH GSE application, including a cover letter and two essay responses.
• Official transcripts (with B.A./B.S. posted) sent to the HTH GSE admissions office.
• Two confidential references, one of which must be from a current or previous employer.

Admission Requirements for the Leading Schools Program (LSP):

• Earned BA/BS from a regionally accredited university. 
• The program requires a strong command of written and spoken English prior to entry.
  
   

Application Process for the LSP:

To apply, submit a completed application as described in the application instructions.
Applications should include:

• Completed HTH GSE application and statement of purpose.
• One confidential references from a current or previous employer.

TUITION and FELLOWSHIPS

HTH GSE tuition is $12,500 per year for the Teacher Leadership and School Leadership M.Ed. programs, or $25,000 total for each program, and $10,000 for the Leading Schools Program. However, through the generous support of The Amar Foundation, the Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation, students accepted to our M.Ed. programs are eligible to receive fellowship funds for both years of study, significantly reducing the cost of the program to the student. Tuition fellowships are based on merit and need, and awarded along with the offer of admission. If you are interested in applying for a fellowship, please note this in your application cover letter.

In addition, students may apply for part-time tutoring or instructional aide positions in our HTH schools to subsidize their graduate study and further immerse themselves in our learning community.

Please contact Hayley Murugesan at hmurugesan@hightechhigh.org or 619-398-4902 if you have questions about the admissions process.

HTH GSE is committed to building a community of adult learners that reflects the diversity of California's students and to serving as a catalyst for sustainable school reform. Therefore, underrepresented minorities, teacher teams, and those with organizational support are strongly encouraged to apply.

The High Tech High Graduate School of Education does not discriminate in its procedures and programs or employment determinations on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin or on the basis of any other protected classification as defined by applicable state and federal law.