English Department Chair
The English Department Chair provides leadership and direction to the department in alignment with the school's mission, values, and educational goals and priorities. The chair is held as the expert in implementing the vertical curriculum of the department, including the support of critical questions and innovative pedagogical models in the study of language.
Primary Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with department members and School leadership, develops, articulates, and executes a vision for the department that aligns with the Mission Statement, Core Values, and other foundational documents.
- Leads department's faculty members in curriculum review and design, and instructional strategies, based on a strong understanding of best practices, in partnership with the Middle School and Upper School Principals.
- Supports and evaluates in an ongoing way teachers in grades 6 - 12 in conjunction with the Middle and Upper School Principals.
- Provides curriculum leadership within the department, and consults with the Lower School when requested.
- Works with the Head of School, Principals, and the Chairs and Principals Committee to plan and implement an excellent overall educational program across all three divisions.
- Articulates the department's strategies in achieving the mission and goals of the School and sets departmental objectives, assessments, and policies accordingly in cooperation with the members of the department and in concert with the Principals and Head of School.
- Works to build trust and morale within the department.
- Strives to inspire in students the passion to pursue a lifetime of reading, writing, and thinking.
Specific Duties:
- Together with the Principals, the Director of Equity and Diversity Engagement, and the Director of Human Resources, the chair implements hiring procedures to fill English openings in the Middle and Upper Schools.
- Makes recommendations to the Principals for staffing assignments of teachers.
- Provides specific professional development in the discipline and coordinates that professional development with ongoing all-school professional development efforts.
- Administers all aspects of departmental spending, including preparation of budget and supervision of expenditures.
- Performs general professional activities common to department chairs. These include, but are not limited to, the following: managing placement of current and entering students, ordering texts and supplies, participating in the orientation of new faculty, developing summer reading lists, supporting the ongoing activities of the admissions office, and supervising the exam and grading procedures of departmental faculty
- Teaches two class sections, modeling best practices in English instruction and inspiring a love of learning in students.
- Participates productively as a member of the Chairs and Principals Committee in order to ensure academic integration of the school's program and to exchange information and ideas regarding the total school program.
- Holds regularly scheduled department meetings, maintains records of such meetings, and provides minutes of the meetings to the Principals.
- Serves as a role model to encourage faculty self-evaluation, professional growth, scholarship, and effective training.
- Works with department members to develop and map the scope and sequence of the English curriculum.
- Conveys information to members of the department regarding plans, curriculum development and assessment, resources, facilities, and activities that affect department members.
- Works with department members to achieve consistency in assessments and grading
- Publicizes within the school community the scholarship and endeavors of the department and gives recognition to exceptional achievement within the department.
- Promotes the discipline to the wider school community, e.g. by arranging guest speakers, and by tending to special department initiatives like Write Night and the Shakespeare Society
- Supports the School and its leadership.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- At least five years of successful teaching experience in language or related fields.
- Knowledge of and experience in curriculum development, including emerging paradigms, pedagogy, and methods for the study of English.
- Advanced degree preferred, in English or English education
- Flexibility, strong communication skills, and ability to be a collaborative team leader in the department and across the School generally.
- Sound technology skills.
- Personal and professional alignment to the school's mission, vision, and values.
- Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of the work with students, families, and colleagues.
Terms of Employment:
- This is an extended teaching position with administrative duties. Chairs return to school one week before the faculty arrives in August, and remain one week after the faculty departs in June.
- Professional days are considered work days and participation in planned activities is mandatory.
- Standard working hours are 8 am to 4 pm with attendance at weekly division/department meetings required. These meetings may go as late as 5 pm.
- Salaries are based on years of experience and education level. Department chairs receive an $11,000 stipend plus course release in addition to their regular teaching salary. The salary range for this position is $68,000 to $110,000. If you are invited for an initial screening, we will let you know where your salary falls on our scale.
- Dwight-Englewood offers a comprehensive benefits package including, health, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) plan, life insurance, tuition remission, and a generous time-off policy.
