Modern Languages Department Chair and Spanish Teacher

The Northwest School Of The Arts•Seattle, WA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Northwest School, an independent day and boarding school serving grades 6-12, seeks an experienced Spanish educator to serve as Chair of the Modern Languages Department while teaching three sections of Spanish. The department offers instruction in Spanish and Chinese in both the Middle and Upper Schools, and in French and English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Upper School. Instruction is grounded in the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, with an emphasis on sustained use of the target language to promote communicative proficiency and cultural competence. Language study in the Upper School constitutes a central component of the school’s international curriculum. Courses integrate in-depth cultural analysis with opportunities for experiential learning, including study abroad. Students are required to complete three years of language study, with the option to pursue a fourth year. Students receiving ESL support fulfill their language requirement through English coursework rather than enrollment in Chinese, French, or Spanish. In Middle School, the Modern Languages curriculum is informed by a task-based approach to second language acquisition. Instruction emphasizes active engagement, requiring students to use the target language in meaningful contexts. As academic leaders, Department Chairs at The Northwest School serve on the Curriculum Committee and collaborate closely with Division Directors and faculty to advance curricular coherence and pedagogical excellence. They provide instructional leadership, supervise departmental faculty, and cultivate a collaborative professional culture within and across disciplines.

Requirements

Master’s Degree or higher in education or a field relevant to the position
5+ years of teaching experience.
Experience designing and teaching courses for both Middle and Upper school students.
A strong pedagogical toolkit for student accessibility to curriculum and success in the classroom.
A commitment to the school's mission, values, and philosophy, as well as to a learning and working culture where all community members feel seen, valued, and heard.
Commitment to the school’s mission, values, and philosophy, especially related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and global perspective.

Responsibilities

Teach three to four sections of Middle and/or Upper School Spanish in alignment with the standards established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
Collaborate with departmental colleagues and interdisciplinary teaching teams on curriculum design and instructional planning to ensure both horizontal and vertical coherence across the program.
Serve as an academic advisor to a cohort of students, providing sustained guidance on their academic development and social-emotional growth.
In collaboration with at least one faculty colleague, design and facilitate a four-day, immersive experiential learning course for Middle and/or Upper School students during the April term.
Engage fully in the intellectual and communal life of the school, including contributing to a collegial and collaborative professional culture, participating in professional development, supporting institutional needs, fostering partnerships with families, and attending meetings and events.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of and commitment to the school’s mission, philosophy, and core values.
Advance the school’s educational vision through engagement in student social-emotional learning (SEL), co-curricular programming, community events, and grade-level experiences.
Convene and facilitate monthly departmental meetings to support instructional coherence, professional dialogue, and ongoing programmatic development.
Provide instructional supervision through regular classroom observations and formal evaluations of faculty within the department, offering constructive, evidence-based feedback.
Lead the systematic review and development of curriculum in collaboration with departmental colleagues, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and established standards.
Advance departmental professional learning by coordinating and encouraging participation in a range of development opportunities.
Support the student course registration process by advising on appropriate course selection and placement in consultation with faculty and academic leadership.
Promote, assess, and monitor progress toward departmental and school-wide curricular objectives; collaborate with school leadership on strategic initiatives, as well as accreditation processes.
In partnership with divisional leadership, oversee and participate in faculty recruitment processes, including candidate evaluation and the facilitation of equitable and rigorous search procedures.
Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the direct supervisor, Division Director(s), and the Head of School.
Demonstrate consistent, punctual, and dependable attendance.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
short- and long-term disability
life and accident insurance coverage
retirement program matches up to 6% of an employee's salary after one year of service in a 403(b) plan
generous time off
lunch
access to the on-site fitness facility
commitment to professional development