Making the Switch as a K-5 Teacher: Part 3

In the final article of our “Making the Switch” series, we delve deeper into Miaplaza’s unique professional development opportunities. The dedicated K-5 teachers in our team have found not just a job but a vibrant community that values creativity, innovation, and continuous learning. Here you'll discover how Mia's supportive environment encourages growth, allowing educators to expand their skills and explore new educational avenues.?

Whether it's through collaborative projects, specialized training sessions, or the freedom to be creative in every aspect of their work, our teachers thrive in ways they never thought possible. Join us as we explore what makes Miaplaza a truly special place to work and why our K-5 teachers are passionate about their roles!

What is your favorite thing about your role??

• “I love being creative every day. Being [imaginative] is very encouraged here, so I love that I can push my imagination in an environment that welcomes it.”
• “The creativity! One of my favorite parts about being a teacher was finding creative ways to weave stories and anecdotes into the curriculum, in order to help students retain the learning material. Now, that creativity gets to be woven into every inch of the work I do here at Miaplaza!”
• “I love writing scripts and trying to come up with engaging ideas to teach content. I also really enjoy making the worksheets/learning guide PDFs that go along with each lesson and support the students' learning.”
• “I really love the freedom and creativity in my position. I don't need to teach something a certain way just because that's how it's been done in the past. I really get to dig into the deeper understanding and ‘why’ of things to help build that conceptual understanding. It makes my heart so happy for students to be able to experience content that doesn't talk down to them or throw information at them, but gets them invested in the learning and developing the skills they need to tackle anything life throws at them - and have the skills they need to achieve anything their heart desires.”

What's something you get to do/practice/learn at Mia that you didn't get to do in the classroom related to your professional development?

• “I really get to take my time building meaningful and impactful content. Sometimes in the classroom, planning was what we had the least amount of time to do, but now I have the time to think thoroughly through the objectives and create a learning experience without boundaries.”
• “A lot of our professional development comes from our co-workers! Anyone who has something to share that may help others with their development at Miaplaza can lead a professional development session on the topic of their choice! The meetings are embedded into the workday, and they're not mandatory, so you can choose to attend whichever sessions you'd like!”
• “I feel like I get to practice and learn more about the creative aspects of presenting content. Unfortunately in some school systems, there is very little room for creativity or going "off script," or you're expected to somehow be creative while also following a scripted, bulleted curriculum. Here at Mia we're constantly learning how and practicing with different aspects of storytelling, visual support, music, and more. It feels like we're creating mini TV shows for our learners and that's a really fun aspect to get to do and learn more about.”
• “I get to host PLCs! I never thought I'd do something like that. In the classroom, you were either a teacher, instructional coach, or admin. There was never any overlap of those titles. At Mia, I get to host PLCs like our Showcase & Shares! Even though I'm working remotely, I know a lot of my colleagues and get to work with them regularly in these collaborative efforts. I love putting together the Showcase & Share PLCs, because it's a chance for folks to share what they've been working on and get inspired by what they see others presenting. It's a celebration and learning experience all in one.”

If you were chatting with someone who is interested in working at Mia, what would you want them to know??

• “That their experiences in the classroom will guide them in their experiences here, and not to worry about the tech side of things.”
• “Working here would be great for you if you enjoy out-of-the-box thinking! Coming up with new, creative ways to do things is highly encouraged, and often yields some of the most engaging curriculum for our students!”
• “This is an amazing place to work with creative, passionate, and helpful people. There's incredible work/life balance, flexibility, and so many chances to try new things. It's a dream!”
• “I'd want them to know that I absolutely adore the work I do at Mia and love the process of planning, creating, and designing our content. It is a lot of hard work that can sometimes go unseen by the end user (they'll see the actor presenting your scripts and the assets the editor put in based on your notes), but it's about getting outstanding content to our students. I'm proud to work for a company that innovates and is constantly growing and improving, and I feel grateful that I'm trusted to do the work I'm doing in the best possible way.”

If their stories have inspired you, why not consider the switch yourself? At Miaplaza, we're currently hiring K-5 curriculum developers who are passionate about education and eager to bring their creativity and expertise to a new role.?

Here, you’ll find a supportive community that values your classroom experience and encourages innovative thinking. Our flexible work environment allows you to maintain a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful work that impacts students' lives.?

Join us and become part of a team dedicated to developing high-quality educational content, where your voice will be heard and your skills will continue to grow. Apply today and take the first step toward an exciting new chapter in your career!