Director of Wellness, Grades K-12

About the position

The Director of Wellness, Grades K-12, as the instructional leader for the department, shall lead the design, innovation, strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of all K-12 Health and Wellness programming. The Director of Wellness, Grades K-12, should have the knowledge and experience to provide high-quality health and wellness curriculum and programming at all levels, including innovative approaches to supporting the health and well-being of students. The ideal candidate will be an experienced and licensed teacher and administrator in the respective discipline area who has demonstrated exemplary teaching and instructional leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Cooperate with the Superintendent of Schools in recommending policies to the School Committee for implementation in Health and Wellness, including the district's wellness policies.
• Coordinate and develop the Health and Wellness Program for the school system aligned with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Framework for Health and Physical Education.
• Direct the development, evaluation, revision, and alignment of health and wellness curriculum K-12.
• Support the analysis of formative and summative assessment data across the department to assist in targeting instruction to meet better the needs of all students, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities.
• Arrange for staff development, workshops, and meetings designed to revise and align curriculum and assessments and improve instruction.
• Direct, organize, and coordinate the development of new and/or innovative programs that foster language proficiency for the District, including programs supporting multilingual learners, heritage speakers, and students with disabilities.
• Supervise, instruct, and evaluate all K-12 teachers in the department and provide support for improving their instructional practices, lesson delivery, and curriculum implementation.
• Confer with department members, Principals, and teachers to develop cooperative plans and curriculum instruction to improve the instructional program and curriculum.
• Confer with the classroom teachers and Principals on school visits to improve the department's instructional practices and curriculum implementation.
• Preview and evaluate all curriculum materials and supplies used in the department.
• Hold department meetings and communicate regularly with department staff about the curriculum, events, and other staff and student opportunities.
• Review and update teaching material and techniques, and organize, when necessary, in-service workshops in the field.
• Develop and maintain an inventory of all department equipment for each school in the District.
• Arrange for substitute teachers as needed for department staff.
• Support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of staff in the department in collaboration with building principals.
• Represent the district in committees at the regional and state levels.
• Prepare the budget for the department and oversee the department's expenditures.
• Apply for applicable grants and other funding sources that support increasing opportunities for students, families, and staff.
• Coordinate, plan, and promote district-wide activities related to health and wellness.
• Assist in assigning department teachers to take advantage of their skills and training.
• Attend district and school programs, productions, and events as a representative of the program.
• Support department teachers in using culturally responsive and collaborative practices to ensure that all families are welcome and can contribute to the effectiveness of the district, classroom, school, and community.
• Establish strategic relationships with community organizations, community members, and businesses.
• Remain current on instructional methods, educational materials, and technology for improving the teaching and learning of all students.
• Perform such other duties and assume all other responsibilities that the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents may assign.

Requirements

• A Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Undergraduate major or graduate school major in the field of Health or a related field.
• Massachusetts State Certification as a Special Subject Teacher - Health or other related field.
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Certification for Supervisor/Director.
• Five years or more of teaching experience.
• Must possess the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Administrators Endorsement.

Nice-to-haves

• EPS respects linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring value to the district's culture and diversity.
• Familiarity with an urban school district.
• Previous leadership experience in health education.
• Experience working with students with disabilities and multilingual learners.