English Department Chair/Teacher (K–12)

The Nightingale-Bamford School•New York, NY

28d•$85,000 - $135,000

About The Position

English Department Chair/Teacher (K–12) The Nightingale-Bamford School seeks an enthusiastic, dynamic, and collegial English Department Chair and Teacher to lead our K–12 English Department beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. The Department Chair will be an accomplished educator who communicates high standards for both teaching and learning, demonstrates a deep commitment to best practices in English instruction, and fosters a collaborative and inclusive departmental culture. At Nightingale, Department Chairs serve an essential academic leadership role with responsibility for the development and stewardship of their department, its curriculum, and teaching staff. Reporting to the Assistant Head for Academic Affairs, Nightingale’s Department Chairs work together to oversee departmental alignment with the School’s mission and vision of academic excellence, the sequence and content of their curricula, the daily operation and oversight of their departments, and the support and well-being of their department members. Chairs are responsible for leading ongoing conversations about curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, ensuring excellence and coherence across Nightingale’s K-12 program, and supporting faculty growth through mentorship and feedback. They serve as key liaisons between faculty and school leadership, work to translate vision into practice, and share decision-making responsibility for a cohesive, forward-thinking, and evolving academic program. To support this work, Department Chairs receive a one-course release (or equivalent to a 1/4-time role) and an $8,000 base stipend plus additional funding for departments with more than six members. Chairs are 10-month positions with the expectation of availability for up to two weeks over the summer to support hiring, new employees, departmental curriculum work, scheduling and course placement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in English or a related field
Five to ten years of experience teaching English at the middle and/or upper school level.
Demonstrated excellence in classroom management and instructional practice.
A strong alignment with the mission of The Nightingale-Bamford School.
Demonstrated cultural competence.
Excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, high integrity, and a strong work ethic.
A supportive, compassionate, and student-centered approach to teaching and leadership.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style.
Superb oral and written communication skills.
High initiative and a proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
A sense of humor and an appreciation of this trait in others.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD preferred.

Responsibilities

Curriculum Leadership Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of a cohesive, vertically aligned K–12 English curriculum that meets the developmental needs of students.
Ensure the curriculum fosters critical literacy, analytical writing, and effective communication, integrating both classical and contemporary texts that are diverse and culturally responsive.
Promote culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogy that reflects a wide range of voices and experiences.
Lead efforts to integrate interdisciplinary connections and innovative instructional methodologies, including project-based and inquiry-driven learning.
Ensure a clearly articulated scope and sequence for all departmental curricula.
Manage the daily operation and supervision of the department, including maintaining high standards of teaching and learning, implementing needed changes, and fostering constructive working relationships with administrators and colleagues .
Faculty Support & Professional Development Supervise, mentor, and evaluate English faculty to ensure excellence in instruction and ongoing professional growth.
Provide regular coaching, feedback, and support in curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessment practices.
Organize and facilitate department meetings, workshops, and professional development aligned with best practices in English education.
Foster a culture of collaboration, reflection, innovation, and continuous learning among faculty.
Student Learning & Assessment Ensure consistent, meaningful assessment practices that measure student growth in reading, writing, and critical thinking.
Analyze student performance data to inform instructional practices and curricular adjustments.
Support teachers in designing authentic and differentiated assessments that meet the needs of diverse learners.
Promote a love of literature and writing through student-centered initiatives such as literary publications, book clubs, and writing contests.
Teaching Responsibilities Department Chairs are expected to teach three courses (or the equivalent of a 3/4-time role) in their respective department and to take on other responsibilities as assigned.