Interim (1 Year) CTE High School Department Head (9-12)

Danbury Public Schools CT; Danbury (CT); On-site; USD 7,000 - 12,000; Full time

Job summary

Danbury Public Schools CT is seeking an Interim Department Head for a one-year term to oversee CTE/content-area departments and support the Curriculum Administrator. The role includes coaching teachers, coordinating assessments, and driving standards-based instruction district-wide.

The department head will lead professional development, align curricula with Portrait of a Graduate, and collaborate with site administrators to improve instructional practices and student achievement.

Qualifications

• Valid Connecticut teaching certificate in content department area(s).
• Department Chair Certification (105) or (092).
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful, related teaching experience with diverse learners.
• Ability to mentor new teachers.
• Experience in providing curriculum leadership and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead department initiatives to implement curriculum and standards-based instruction.
• Provide targeted professional development and coaching to teachers.
• Lead change initiatives based on data analysis and best practices.
• Conduct department meetings and support PLCs.
• Create common assessments, analyze data, and collaborate in lesson planning.

Skills

Department leadership

Mentoring

Curriculum leadership

Data-driven instruction

Education

Connecticut teaching certificate in content area(s)

Department Chair Certification (105) or (092)

Job description

• 4 CTE/ .6 teaching/coaching assignment within content area certification

• 4 CTE/ .6 teaching/coaching assignment within content area certification

Reports to:

STEM Curriculum Administrator

Essential Job Functions

Accountable to the Curriculum Administrator, department heads serve as lead teachers in the implementation of curriculum and instructional practices that result in exceptional student achievement and teaching. With the support of the Curriculum Administrator, department heads are responsible for providing targeted professional development and assisting with the research and implementation of best practices in curriculum and instruction through coaching, meaningful observation, and constructive, content-based formative evaluation. The functions of this Department Head position are intended to support an effective Teacher/Leader operating under the Curriculum Administrator, in close collaboration with site-based building administrators, to enhance the effectiveness of instruction delivery District-wide. This position is limited to an interm one (1)- year academic term.

Leadership

• Operationalize the curricula of The Academies of Danbury High School. This includes, but is not limited to: supporting teachers in embracing new curricular models & the Portrait of a Graduate, working with the administration to optimize scheduling, delivering progress reports to building- & district-level administrators, and creating newsletters in Google Slides & ParentSquare to engage community stakeholders. Demonstrate outstanding scholarship in the subject content area and expansive knowledge of standards-based instruction.
• Act as a role model for the department by demonstrating a commitment to learning:
• Maintain current knowledge and model best practices for effective instructional and assessment strategies.
• Model professionalism and respect for others
• Lead change initiatives for the improvement of student learning based on data analysis, best practices, and shared beliefs and values about student learning and intellectual development in accordance with the Danbury Public Schools Mission Statement.
• Conduct department meetings,
• Provide support to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
• Create common assessments, analyze data, and collaborate in lesson planning in response to data.
• Support the actualization of department goals at building sites and;
• Expand professional learning in content area knowledge and proficiency of standards-based instruction among departmental staff.
• Report for New Teacher Orientation to lead professional development on curriculum and standards-based instruction.
• Attend four days of summer development and maintenance of curriculum and instructional resources through a mutually agreed-upon schedule with the Curriculum Administrators.

Curriculum, Instruction, And Assessment

• Collaborate with administrators and subject-area expert teachers to identify industry-recognized credentials. Support educators in implementing certifications through budgeting, scheduling, and technical support.
• Assist in developing an assessment system that monitors student learning and analyzes data to ensure that district educational goals are met.
• Create and deliver professional development on research-based best practices, including but not limited to standards-based instruction, technology integration, interdisciplinary instruction, and project-based instruction.
• Directly work with students: equivalent to two teaching periods a day.

Staff Development And Observation

• Mentor and coach teachers, tenured and non-tenured, to ensure that the instructional program is delivered and assessed in a manner consistent with district and department goals and objectives.
• Under the district curriculum administrator and in collaboration with the building administration, conduct formative observations of department staff, assist in the development of instructional improvement plans, and identify resources to facilitate the professional growth of department staff, leading to the implementation of best practices.
• Observations and evaluations by Department Heads are intended to support the Administrator and the primary evaluator, who bears ultimate responsibility for summative evaluations.

Organizational Management

• Participate in the recruitment, screening, and interviewing process for prospective faculty members.
• Monitor and maintain an inventory of equipment, supplies, and textbooks.
• Collaborate on behalf of the department with administration and counseling regarding master schedule, course descriptions, articulation, and student placement in the various department courses.
• Serve as a communication link between the district Curriculum Administrator, building administration, and department members.
• Maintain ongoing and effective communication with parents and community representatives.
• Perform such other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the district Curriculum Administrators.

Qualifications

• Valid Connecticut teaching certificate in content department area(s)
• Department Chair Certification (105) or (092)
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful, related teaching experience with diverse learners
• Ability to mentor new teachers
• Experience in providing curriculum leadership and innovation
• Ability to work toward interdisciplinary instruction with other departments
• Proven leadership skills

Salary

Teaching salary is in keeping with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with NEA-Danbury, with a base stipend of $6,000 and an additional sum between $1,000 and $6,000 annually based upon the size of the department.