Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good.
We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world.
Position Overview
Department Chairs are curricular and pedagogical leaders who manage departmental duties and invest in the professional growth of their colleagues while collaboratively advancing Breck’s mission.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Curriculum and Pedagogy
As someone with deep content knowledge and a belief in continuous improvement you: model the characteristics of a high-quality Breck teacher, review and update your department’s curriculum to better serve students, effectively communicate about your department’s scope and sequence to students, parents, and colleagues, and advance Breck’s mission. As department chair, you will:
Lead annual review of the P-12 curriculum to innovate, align with EI and MBE, and expand stud Engage the department in research-informed conversations about teaching and learning.
Collaborate with department members to develop long-range plans for the P-12 department, plan and write necessary course guides.
Coordinate an annual inventory of instructional supplies and equipment.
Actively contribute to the work of advancing intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility.
Leadership
As Someone With a Strong Belief In Breck’s Mission And a Collaborative Understanding Of How To Bring Vision Into Action, You Are Able To Equally Advocate For Your Own Department While At The Same Time Supporting The Wider Mission Of The School. As Department Chair, You Will
Advance Breck’s mission and values.
Support a culture of healthy and open discussion about school issues, while communicating active support for Breck’s initiatives and priorities.
Collaborate with members of the department, other department chairs, and administrators to ensure that department goals and direction are clearly stated and aligned with the mission of the school.
Participate in design teams, task forces, and cross-divisional committees.
Identify and respond to questions and concerns within and about the department.
Meet with school leadership to discuss curriculum, faculty development, and goals for the year.
Professional Growth
Role
As an academic leader both at Breck and within your field, you understand the important role professional development plays in staying current, engaged, and relevant. Therefore, you are deeply invested in your own professional growth and the professional growth of everyone in your department. As department chair you will:
Promote and conduct professional development programs throughout the year.
Encourage participation in, and seek opportunities to present at; local, regional, or national conferences, professional groups, and workshops.
Maintain relationships with local, regional, and national associations of teachers of their respective subjects.
Promote the integration of current and pertinent practices within the department.
The department chair should have a purposeful approach to developing their own leadership and collaboration skills. The chair should participate in formal and informal efforts to strengthen and improve their own leadership skills and seek out feedback on their own leadership as often as possible.
Management
As Someone Who Understands The Needs Of The Department You Manage The Tasks That Allow Others In Your Department To Do Their Jobs More Effectively. As Department Chair You Will
Assist in hiring, training, evaluating, and supporting faculty members in your department.
Recommend individual teaching assignments for the members of your department in collaboration with Division Directors
Observe and evaluate teachers in your department through observations
Review, provide feedback on, and assess teachers’ yearly learning goals
Provide the first line of accountability for teachers in the department, partnering with the administration when more significant intervention is needed.
Screen, interview, and assist in the selection and support of department substitutes.
Facilitate regularly scheduled department meetings that promote participation from all department members
Prepare department budget requests, approve all department requisitions, control expenses, and stay within the annual budget.
Competencies
Effective written and verbal communication skills both one-on-one and within a group
Subject area expertise
Offers and receives feedback with grace and purpose
Models personalization and press for adults in the department
Collaborative problem solver
Evaluates issues through a variety of lenses
Education And/or Experience
Four-year degree (advanced degree preferred)
Previous teaching and leadership experience.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Strategy/Planning and Information Technology
Industries
Education Administration Programs
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Breck School by 2x