Careers

List of 7 items.

• Appointment, Reappointment and Advancement

  The selection, appointment, retention and remuneration of the faculty is primarily the responsibility of the Head of School. All faculty appointments are for one year only; there is no tenure in the public school sense. Nichols has the same expectations regarding performance whether this is your first day on the job or you have been loyal to us for over 35 years. Therefore, we do not have a probationary period for employees. Nichols is committed to the professional growth and job satisfaction of the faculty and will provide every encouragement and help to create an optimum atmosphere in which to teach. Ongoing professional evaluation is a vital part of the Nichols teaching experience. All faculty appointment decisions are made by the Head of School on the basis of his knowledge, the recommendation of the Division Head and Department Chairman, and the faculty member’s own assessment.

• Duties and Responsibilities

  Full-time teaching at Nichols encompasses a number of major areas of responsibility.

   

  1. Instruction: Teachers in Upper School English, Arts, History and Lab Science generally have four sections. As a rule, two to three preparations are required. Teachers are expected to be available to students throughout the school day, 7:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

   

  2. Extracurricular Duties: Typically, these include two major assignments – either administrative or guidance in nature, coaching, club/activity advisor, or directing student publications and productions. Further, there are additional duties of a minor and limited nature such as proctoring study halls, late duty and monitoring lunch tables. In making such assignments, the schedule, talents and interests of the faculty member will be taken into account in order to be fair and equitable, as well as meet the needs of the School.

   

  3. Advisors: Faculty members are expected to be advisors to a group of students, assisting the class Deans in helping and caring for the concerns of Nichols students. In addition, faculty must be available for parent nights and conferences, attend periodic faculty and department meetings, serve on faculty and Trustee committees, and participate in School events.

• Compensation

  Nichols seeks to provide its faculty and staff with a competitive salary/benefit program in which the median salary is in line with other co-ed independent day schools in the country.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  Over the years, the administration and Trustees have increased benefits offered to employees and they now amount, in dollar value, to approximately 20% of the cash salary for a typical full-time employees. These include:

   

  1. TIAA/CREF Retirement Program: Nichols contributes 2-5 percent of the employee’s base salary if matched by the employee’s 2-5 percent. After 10 years, a 6% match is offered, as long as the employee contributes 2%. Plan rules apply.

   

  2. Medical Insurance: Three health plan options are offered to all qualified employees.

   

  3. Group Term Life Insurance: 2 times salary – 0-5 years; 2 1/2 times salary – 5-10 years; 3 time salary – over 10 years. Maximum benefit is capped at $100,000. Nichols pays the life insurance premium.

   

  4. Voluntary Life Insurance: Life insurance is available for purchase, over and above what is provided by the School.

   

  5. Dental Insurance: Dental insurance is available for purchase.

   

  6. Wage Continuation:

  Short-Term Disability and Workers Comp: Nichols continues normal wages for all full time qualified employees during a qualified disability or workers comp claim of up to six months or 180 days, according to the following schedule: 100% for the first 60 days; 80% for the next 60 days; 70% for the last 60 days.

  Long-Term Disability: Nichols pays for long-term disability insurance for qualified employees which provides over six months of benefits, which provides replacement income up to 60% of salary.

   

  7. Tuition Remission: After one year, tuition remission is available to full-time employees at an 79% level.

• Professional Development

  1. Professional Growth Grants: Faculty may apply for grants and stipends to be used for study, travel, conferences or enrichment opportunities related to their professional development. Faculty members at Nichols are encouraged to take advantage of this benefit. There is a fund available for summer enrichment of the faculty as well.

   

  2. Lunch: The School provides lunch to the faculty and staff.

   

  3. Computer: The School provides computers to full time employees. After one year of service, the School provides up to $2,000 in an interest-free loan for employees to purchase personal computers and computer equipment, such as a printer.

• Selection

  Faculty members are appointed after a careful review of their academic and professional background and an evaluation of their personal commitment on the basis of interviews with members of the faculty and staff. Nichols is an inclusive community and does not discriminate on any basis.

• Contact Us

  Josh LeRoy

  Head of Upper School

  1250 Amherst St.

  Buffalo, NY 14216

  716-332-6300

  jleroy@nicholsschool.org

   

  Peter Wickman

  Interim Head of Middle School

  1250 Amherst St.

  Buffalo, NY 14216

  716-332-5100

  pwickman@nicholsschool.org

   

  Shannon Wiencek

  Director of Human Resources

  1250 Amherst St.

  Buffalo, NY 14216

  716-332-6308

  swiencek@nicholsschool.org