A Special Invitation to Art, History, Science and English Teachers
One month in Italy, all-expense-paid chaperoning and teaching 11th grade students.
Includes teaching and sightseeing focusing on the Renaissance. Based in Florence but weekend excursions to Venice, Milan, and Rome and mid-week excursions to surrounding Tuscan region.
Departing: July 2026 (Dates TBD)* for 4 weeks
The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation USA seeks four teachers to chaperone eighteen 11th grade for a month-long education program based in Florence. The eighteen students will be the selected winners of the 2026 Palazzo Strozzi High School Renaissance Essay Award from participating schools in New York City, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Responsibilities include lesson plan preparation, teaching, and constant supervision of the students. Teachers will also assist students in the composition of the College Common Application essay, a primary requirement of students participating in the program.
A local lead teacher will coordinate all arrangements including hotels, transportation, meals, and educational excursions. Teachers/chaperones will create lesson plans based on various topics of the Renaissance within program’s existing curriculum. Teachers will hold formal instruction four days a week at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. The group will participate in educational excursions to sites of historical relevance in Florence, the surrounding Tuscan region, and on the weekends in Venice, Milan, and Rome. The local lead teacher will lead the group on all these excursions.
Teacher/Chaperone Responsibilities include:
- Lesson plan preparation, which adheres to the program’s curriculum, that focuses on Renaissance art, history, and scientific achievements.
- Rotate with fellow teachers/chaperones to lead instructional class periods on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 1:00pm to 4:40PM; Friday; 9am to 12:30PM;
- Chaperone the Wednesday and weekend educational excursions.
- Teacher/chaperones are responsible for the students safety and well-being throughout the entire trip; students must always be accompanied by the teachers/chaperones
- The foundation supports a zero-tolerance rule for student behavior, etiquette, and academic participation.
Travel Benefits: “All-expenses-paid” includes the following:
Round-trip air; accommodations and meals; all transportation within Italy; flight travel and medical insurance; laundry expense allocation; and a small weekly stipend for personal expenses. No additional compensation will be provided for personal expenditures, shopping, etc.
Interested teachers should send a copy of their CV accompanied by a letter describing their teaching and travel experience to: info@palazzostrozzi.us. Please send your documents as soon as possible to secure your interview. This webpage will be open until all positions are satisfied.
*Travel dates to be finalized soon.
Teacher Eligibility & Requirements
Academic and Professional Background:
- Current high school teacher in Art, History, Science/STEM, or English/Humanities
- Experience supervising students in academic or co-curricular settings
- Previous international or chaperoning experience (preferred)
- Previous experience serving as a chaperone, trip leader, or supervisor for student groups (preferred)
- Proven ability to manage diverse groups of students in academic or co-curricular settings
Personal Qualities:
- Responsible, dependable, and able to exercise good judgment
- Supportive, calm, and adaptable during travel and unexpected situations
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Student Support and Inclusivity:
- Commitment to creating an inclusive, respectful environment
- Ability to guide and reassure students, many of whom will be traveling abroad for the first time