London Faculty Member: Cultural Understanding of Food and Cuisine

Verto London is a unique study abroad program designed specifically for first‑year university students looking to start their college experience internationally. The program allows freshmen to spend their first semester or entire first year earning fully transferable U.S. college credits while immersing themselves in British culture. Located at 23 Bloomsbury Square in central London, the study centre sits in a five‑story historic Georgian building in the heart of London’s academic and cultural district, just across from a leafy park and near the British Museum.

Successful candidates will be highly motivated, energetic, student‑oriented educators who bring courses to life through a combination of active classroom learning and experiential education. Faculty must possess a commitment to undergraduate teaching and experiential education, and be prepared to work with diverse students early in their higher education journey. Faculty will work with program staff to embed active and experiential activities into the course and will teach in traditional face‑to‑face classroom settings as well as take students into the community. The academic team provides ongoing faculty training and support, regular feedback and coaching, and access to a wide variety of teaching and professional development resources.

• Develop and deliver courses utilizing the provided academic policies, course syllabi and LMS (Canvas) and textbook resources, templates and timelines.
• Adhere to all local and global faculty and course requirements, including delivery of all expected contact hours, adherence to the teaching schedule and curriculum.
• Demonstrate appropriate conduct and treat all students, faculty and staff with respect to create an inclusive environment.
• Develop relevant, discipline‑based, up‑to‑date course content and applied learning experiences.
• Willingness to advance curricular experimentation, especially related to active and experiential learning, student development, learning assessment (e.g., rubrics), and technology (e.g., AI, Canvas) and follow established best practices for curriculum development.
• Evaluate students’ homework and provide regular formative feedback; score student work in a timely and constructive manner.
• Assess student mastery of Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes.
• Participate in up to ten hours of faculty training & development each semester before the program start date and an additional five hours of ongoing professional development throughout the semester.
• Attend regular faculty meetings (1‑to‑1 and group) during the semester.
• Returning faculty may be asked to share good practices, lead training, conduct course observations or mentor peers.
• Teach all scheduled courses, host weekly office hours, and respond in a timely specified manner to student inquiries.
• Communicate promptly with local academic staff in the event of emergencies.
• Champion student success by holistic student support: monitor attendance, engagement, and document ongoing needs of students with academic accommodations.
• Refer students to appropriate learning support services and interventions.
• Educate participants and enforce policies on attendance and academic integrity, and proactively address any related grading questions, concerns, or appeals with students directly, consulting with local academic staff as needed.
• Follow established academic calendars and maintain accurate academic records related to student enrollments, attendance and performance.
• Accurately calculate and submit grades on time through the LMS and the Academic Provider’s grade reporting software (Banner), following established mid‑term and end‑of‑term grade reporting timelines and protocols.
• Respond to student inquiries related to their grades in a timely manner.
• Foster learning environments that are respectful and positive, conducive to early college student development, adhere to Verto values, and are characterized by learner‑centered instructional design.
• Help students develop their academic identity and foundational skills with appropriate challenge and support.
• Use professional language and tone, model constructive feedback and conflict negotiation.
• Apply active classroom management and consider power dynamics in faculty‑student relationships.
• Audit course materials for representation of diverse student populations by including local and global perspectives.
• Build and maintain positive, collaborative, and professional relationships with program participants, staff, and community partners.
• Share feedback with local and global Verto academic leaders to provide recommendations for academic excellence and faculty support needs.
• Participate in curriculum development projects and assessment initiatives as directed by the University of New Haven and Verto Education.
• Other duties as reasonably assigned.

• Master’s degree required; terminal degree (PhD) in Hospitality, Food and Cuisine or a closely related field preferred.
• Minimum eighteen graduate credits in the relevant field of study.
• At least two years of teaching experience in Hospitality, Food and Cuisine with at least one year at the university level.
• Demonstrated success in teaching students with varied learning styles and abilities.
• Appreciation for and proven record of working with students of diverse economic, racial, cultural, and educational backgrounds.
• Openness to feedback and application of strategies for continuous improvement.
• Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort implementing policies and classroom standards that align with established protocols.
• Passion for active, experiential, reflective and discussion‑based learning and helping students make meaning out of their experiences.
• Eager to learn from colleagues and enjoy open collaboration and teamwork.
• Must have the legal right to work in the country for the full program duration prior to the start of the semester. Verto Education does not sponsor visas or permits of stay.

• Highly collaborative educators who prioritize engaging teaching practices and work closely with team members across global Verto locations to support student care.
• Faculty who can integrate academic skill building into courses and help identify growth opportunities for learners.
• Dynamic educators motivated by working with a first‑year student population and building professional relationships with students and peers to support engagement and academic success.
• Faculty skilled in teaching concepts in various settings (in or outside the classroom).
• Faculty who demonstrate genuine care for students and ability to connect and engage learners.
• Faculty willing to go the extra mile to support students’ success in starting their college career.
• Faculty who excel at teaching and are willing to learn from students and colleagues.
• Versatile and flexible to meet dynamic and changing environments.
• Faculty who demonstrate high levels of professionalism, commitment, and openness to continuous learning and development.
• Faculty who can be a bridge to the local culture and help bring learning to life for students above all else.

• Course assignments are typically 45 hours (3 U.S. credits) or 60 hours (4 U.S. credits) courses, depending on the discipline.
• Faculty may be invited to teach multiple sections of the same course or multiple courses directly related to their expertise.
• Course syllabi are developed and approved by the Academic Provider, including specific information regarding learning outcomes, academic policies, assessment, and overall expectations.
• Faculty usually develop their own teaching materials, including schedule, readings, assignments, experiential learning activities, and manage a course site via Canvas.
• Section enrollment varies by location and course type:
• Language courses: Approximately 15‑18 students.
• Non‑language courses: Approximately 15‑24 students.
• Lab courses: Typically fewer than 25 students.