Department Chair, English

THE OAKWOOD SCHOOL•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$84,736 - $96,264•Onsite

About The Position

The English Department Chair engages members of the department in substantive conversation about teaching and learning and serves as its instructional and managerial leader for the English department. The Department chair will partner with the Academic Dean, High School Principal, and Middle School Principal in supporting the professional growth and development of department members, including teacher evaluation, and will play a key role in articulating the department's learning expectations to parents as well as new teachers and students. The English Department Chair will be required to teach English classes in 9th-12th grade.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3+ years of English teaching experience required
3+ years of Educational leadership is preferred
Knowledge and experience with backwards design process for planning
Maintains high quality standards and pays rigorous attention to details
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, possess curiosity and has an enthusiasm for learning
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social justice both in and out of the classroom
Positive attitude, flexible approach, and ability to develop close working relationships with students and colleagues
Proficient computer skills with Google Drive and Microsoft Windows Office products

Nice To Haves

Masters in a Education or a related is preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Teaches English classes (Grade 9-12).
Collaborates with other members of the department in preparing lessons for teaching and learning, in alignment with Oakwood’s mission and philosophy.
Works closely with students to help them develop critical thinking and research skills.
Evaluates student progress through a variety of assessment modes.
Maintains student records, including online grades.
Implements a wide array of classroom activities to address multiple learning styles.
Communicates regularly with student-support team members: parents, teachers, student services, deans, and other administrators.
Provides ongoing student feedback, both informal and formal, including written narrative evaluations.
Meets with students and families, as needed.
Guides the growth and development of a relevant, coherent and innovative curriculum, including specific attention to the areas of diversity, service learning and technology.
Facilitates efforts to improve curricular coordination within the department
Ensures articulation between the elementary, middle and high school programs
Assesses the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum
Stimulates interdisciplinary collaboration across departments
Reviews annual course offerings and facilitates the development of new courses
Ensures that curricular review is embedded within the regular work of the department
Networks with others, both inside and outside of the independent school world, to remain aware of the trends in the field and to stimulate growth and innovation in curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment
Works with the Academic Dean and Principals to determine appropriate professional development activities for the department and its individual members, including attention to middle school professional development opportunities
Serves as an advisor to teachers in all matters pertaining to curriculum development, effective pedagogy, and classroom management
Works with the Principals and Academic Dean in the recruitment and orientation of new faculty.
Evaluates all members of the department according to the school's evaluation program
Conveys, as appropriate, to the department members the substance of Department Chair meetings
Periodically facilitates a process for evaluation of the Department Chair by the entire department
Helps teachers develop ways to assess the effectiveness of their pedagogy and curriculum
Monitors the professional conduct of department members and formally documents any disciplinary incidents involving teachers
Assures that all department members are participating in the life of the school (e.g. advising, leading clubs, chaperoning events, attending sporting and performing arts events, supervising during lunch).
Actively works with other administrators to support the well-being of faculty
Seeks to understand, and to foster conversation about, the quality of students' experiences with the curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment of the department
Guides the department in using student feedback to inform instructional and curricular development, and to identify areas of professional growth
Reports to the Principals
Maintains congruence between the school's philosophy statement and the department's educational program
Ensures that department members consistently implement the school's educational values, policies, and decisions
Serves as a spokesperson for the department's program
Meets regularly with Principals, Academic Dean, and other Department Heads on school policies and issues
Determines, in consultation with the Principals and Academic Dean the short- and long-term staffing needs of the department
Communicates with parents, as necessary, regarding student and teacher issues
Actively supports the work of the Development, Marketing, and Admissions offices by attending public relations functions, actively marketing the department's program, and other relevant initiatives
Develops an annual department budget
Assumes responsibility for absent teachers-coverage of classes, homework assignments, proctoring assignments, and attendance obligations.
As early as possible, reports a teacher's absence to the Registrar and the appropriate Division Head
Oversees the ordering, receiving and distribution of textbooks.
Represents the department at all admissions events
Attends all Open Houses
Reviews all written evaluations before passing them on to the High School Dean and/or Middle School Director
Holds weekly scheduled department meetings and maintains records of such meetings
Annually updates the Secondary Curriculum Guide as a process of curricular review and renewal
Observes classes and provides faculty with constructive feedback
Formally documents any disciplinary incidents involving teachers
Proctors AP and ERB exams
Works with the Academic Dean to ensure that relevant courses are UC-approved
Attend weekly Department Chair meetings
Reviews and maintains records relating to standardized test scores and course grades in department courses.