Academic Technology Teacher/Department Chair

Academic Technology Department Chair/Teacher - Upper School

North Broward Preparatory School is an Apple Distinguished School with a vibrant STEAM program. We are seeking an experienced department chair and technology teacher at the upper school level (9-12) to continue to grow our core engineering, robotics and computer science into a nationally notable program. This is a dynamic campus with an amazing faculty and supportive forward-thinking administrative team. This position is ideal for a highly motivated individual who is excited to teach, mentor students working on independent projects, and develop curriculum in a international day/boarding school environment. Candidates with industry experience who are looking to make a career change are welcome. In addition to teaching and curriculum development, the Academic Department chair is expected to help promote our STEAM program through outreach to industry and to educational institutions in the region. The chair will coordinate with the two STEAM K-8 integrator teachers as well as supervise three academic technology teachers at the high school level.

Candidate Profile:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or other relevant fields preferred.
• Experience teaching in a classroom setting as well mentoring and coaching students working on independent projects.
• Excellent formal and informal presentations skills.
• Interest in teaching and working in an innovative educational environment.
• Industry experience in relevant fields preferred.
• Patience, flexibility and collaborative nature are very important.
• Experience preferred in at least several coding environments preferred
• Classroom experience/certification in Project Lead the way is a plus.
• Experience with MAC OS, Canvas, and Google Apps preferred.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Teach courses in contemporary technological practices and computer programming/robotics/engineering at the upper school level.
• Relate successfully to faculty members with diverse backgrounds and instructional responsibilities.
• Work independently, as well as part of a team understanding the shared vision.
• Work in a changing environment and manage multiple priorities.

Overview of Academic Technology Department Chair Position*

North Broward Preparatory School is seeking an Upper School Department Chair for Academic Technology (STEAM). This position involves teaching three to four courses, attending regularly scheduled meeting/observation commitments, and other duties as assigned by school leadership. The Department Chair is the leader and fearless advocate for their team. They are the face of the department, representing its values and opinions, while cultivating a strong team ethos. The Department Head works to ensure that all practices of the department are consistent with school policies.

Academic department chairs play a key role in stewarding instruction and learning in their respective departments. At the same time, they work collaboratively with the other department chairs to ensure the academic program aligns with the mission of the school. Department chairs play a key leadership role in independent schools as they often fulfill the role of teacher and administrator simultaneously. This valuable, middle-level leadership is crucial in establishing open communication between and among departments and between administration and faculty.

1. The department chair serves as a communication liaison between faculty and administration. The chair’s role as both faculty member and administrator serves to further mutual understanding of complex issues. The department chair openly participates in dialogue with members of the department, other department chairs,  and administrators to ensure that the goals and direction of the school are clearly stated and aligned with the mission of the school.
2. The department chair serves as a leader in curriculum and pedagogy in his or her respective department. The chair guides conversations about teaching and learning in each department to ensure that rigor and innovation are being pursued and good practices are being followed. The department chair leads annual (or more frequent) reviews of the curriculum in the department to ensure vertical continuity and appropriateness of content, skills, and assessment. The department chair provides instructional leadership and enhances articulation regarding curriculum alignment with standards, the development and implementation of common assessments, and the use of effective instructional strategies that will most appropriately meet the needs of students.
3. In order to stay in “front of the curve” of new developments and the most current pedagogy in the respective subject area, the department chair maintains relationships with local, regional, and national associations of teachers of their respective subjects. When possible, the chair attends local, regional, or national conferences in the discipline or creates the opportunity for others to do so and shares what was learned with the department. The chair seeks out new ideas and initiatives and introduces them to the department. The chair models good teaching by using a variety of teaching techniques suitable to the subject and age group as well as by incorporating a variety of tools to reach students with a wide range of learning styles.
4. The department chair assists in hiring, training, evaluating, and supporting the faculty members in their respective departments.  The chair supports teachers who are new to the department or profession, teachers who might be struggling professionally or personally, and provides a first line of accountability for teachers in the department, partnering with the administration when more significant intervention is needed.
5. During meetings with the other department chairs and with administrators, the department chair serves as an advocate for one’s own department while at the same time supporting the wider mission of the school. The department chair supports a culture of healthy and open discussion about school issues, while also showing active support for the school’s decisions.
6. The department chair facilitates department meetings that promote participation from all department members. The chair keeps department meetings focused on curricular or teaching issues or needs of the students. The chair uses meetings to make sure administrative details are being attended to as well as to engage in meaningful conversation about teaching and learning.
7. The department chair should have a purposeful approach to developing his or her own leadership and collaboration skills. The chair should participate in formal and informal efforts to strengthen and improve his or her own leadership skills and seek out feedback on his or her own leadership as often as possible.        

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Leads professional development and serves as an instructional coach with regards to data analysis, assessments, lesson plans, feedback processes, and grading practices and rubrics
• Oversees department goals, strategies, objectives and policies aligned to the Academic Strategic Plan in collaboration with department members
• Leads the scope and sequencing of the department's curriculum to ensure articulation. Proposes new courses as needed
• Is familiar with and has a clear understanding of external and internal data that pertains to the department (IB, AP). Identifies trends and develops strategies on how to improve student learning

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION

• Serves as a role model, coach, and mentor for new and returning faculty through consistent communication, evaluations, and assessments.
• Oversees curriculum maps, gradebooks, course placement and recommendations, comments, assessments, departmental textbooks and resources
• Ensures alignment of course descriptions and guidelines/syllabi to Atlas maps
• Leads the search and evaluation of candidates to fill vacancies or growth positions in the department
• Collaborates with the Learning Commons to ensure library resources best support department needs

COMMUNICATION

• Holds regularly scheduled meetings (with agendas and minutes) with members of the department
• Serves as the "eyes and ears" of the department and advises the leadership team about department needs and readiness when new initiatives are considered. Department Chairs raise concerns and share ideas while also being responsible for supporting the decisions of the school.

COMMUNITY

• Is a member of the Academic Council
• Celebrates individual and team successes
• Interfaces with the community beyond NB to provide learning opportunities for students and staff whiling promoting the school
• Oversees extracurricular events and academic team schedules
• Establishes and maintains public/private partnerships and sponsorships

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should contact:  joan.mcgettigan@nbps.org