Teacher Training and Supervision for a New Hybrid School Rebecca Foley hosts the Hybrid School Builders Podcast and shares an overview of how to train and supervise teachers, especially in the months before opening a new hybrid school. She emphasizes hiring for mission fit, energy with kids, and increasing subject-matter expertise for older grades, rather than relying only on paper qualifications. For established programs, she recommends budgeting to pay new hires to shadow experienced teachers and optionally creating a paid mentor-teacher system over the summer. For a first-year launch without existing classes to observe, she suggests planning 10–15 hours of training per teacher covering logistics and safety (building walkthroughs, doors/bathrooms, cleanup, restricted areas), curriculum training, and classroom management aligned with the school’s educational and behavior philosophy. She advises distilling management philosophy into clear, practical principles and scenarios, encouraging discussion, and ensuring alignment during interviews. Training should include early access to curriculum materials, possible one-on-one curriculum meetings, and requirements like CPR/first aid, clearances, and mandated reporter training. She recommends structuring training across early-summer new-hire sessions, one-on-one curriculum deep dives in mid/late summer, and an in-service week immediately before school starts for logistics, practice lessons, schedules, and team-building. Ongoing support should include the director’s regular presence in classrooms, proactive coaching and early issue correction, an annual evaluation (with teacher self-evaluation), periodic check-ins such as monthly lunches, and focused monthly staff meetings that alternate between logistics and professional development.

00:00 Welcome to the Hybrid School Builders Podcast (Mission & What You’ll Learn)

00:56 Today’s Topic: Teacher Training Before You Open

01:46 Hiring for Fit: Energy, Mission Alignment, and Subject Expertise

03:40 Best Practice for Future Years: Shadowing + Mentor Teacher Stipends

06:53 First-Year Reality: Summer Prep Hours & Why Training Matters

08:07 What to Cover: Logistics, Safety, Curriculum, and Classroom Management

10:41 Management Philosophy Without Overwhelm (Scenarios + Buy-In)

16:59 Curriculum Training That’s Hands-On: Sample Lessons & One-on-Ones

19:43 Compliance Checklist: CPR/First Aid, Clearances, Mandated Reporting

20:24 How to Schedule Training: Early Summer + In-Service Week

23:38 Beyond Training: Coaching, Presence, and Supportive Evaluations

27:52 Ongoing Rhythm: Monthly Check-Ins, Staff Meetings, and Wrap-Up

Building Successful Hybrid Schools: Navigating Expectations and Cultivating Community In this episode of the Hybrid School Builders Podcast, host Rebecca Foley discusses the fundamentals of establishing a successful hybrid school. She covers essential topics such as setting clear expectations around the home and school partnership, admissions policies, curriculum choices, and creating a consistent school culture. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of communication and balancing parent and school responsibilities to ensure a harmonious and effective educational environment. She also shares practical advice on building a supportive community among families and staff members, underscoring the significance of emotional and logistical support in fostering a cohesive hybrid school experience.

00:00 Welcome to the Hybrid School Builders Podcast

00:56 Understanding the Hybrid Model

02:36 Setting Expectations and Admissions

05:19 Balancing Home and School Responsibilities

15:53 Building a Supportive Community

18:47 Conclusion and Resources

Navigating Key Infrastructure for Your Hybrid School: Essential Paperwork and Insurance

In this episode of the Hybrid School Builders Podcast, host Rebecca Foley shares invaluable advice for those looking to set up a sustainable hybrid school. She covers key topics including essential backend paperwork, IRS and state documentation, the importance of obtaining 501(c)(3) status for nonprofits, and various insurance needs such as liability, workers' compensation, and property insurance. Rebecca also discusses the significance of maintaining compliance with state laws, setting up a robust infrastructure, and ensuring smooth operations through proper bookkeeping, payroll, and admission systems. This episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to launch and grow their hybrid school confidently.

00:00 Welcome to the Hybrid School Builders Podcast

00:56 Essential Paperwork and Legal Requirements

01:39 Understanding Nonprofit Status and IRS Designations

03:11 Sales Tax Exemptions and Charitable Contributions

06:29 Insurance Essentials for Your Hybrid School

10:35 Setting Up Your School's Infrastructure

13:08 Final Tips and Resources