What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director of the Prep Division position at WINDWARD SCHOOL?
Description
Windward School is a co-educational, independent, college-preparatory day school enrolling students in grades 7-12. Located in West Los Angeles, Windward draws its student body from the diverse population of Los Angeles. Windward School has a unique structure of three divisions: Middle School (grades 7-8), Prep (grades 9-10) and Collegiate (grades 11-12). Joining the Prep Division, the Associate Director will be part of a team including Director, Dean, Counselor and Administrative Coordinator.
A nationwide leader in educational models and practices that excite students about learning, Windward is committed to building a nurturing, inclusive culture. We welcome teachers and staff members who bring skills, qualities, and experiences that demonstrate an understanding of and ability to support our work, fostering a diverse school community.
At Windward, we are dedicated to cultivating an environment that encourages and supports the growth and belonging of all community members. Windward teachers, parents, and administrators work together to inspire our students to be responsible, caring, well-informed, ethical, prepared, and well-balanced young adults.
For more information on what Windward has to offer, please visit windwardschool.org/about/careers.
Position Summary
The Associate Division Director serves as the academic leader of the Division. The Associate Director works at the intersection of departmental curriculum and pedagogy and the Division’s focus on developmentally appropriate practices for students.The Associate Division Director teaches two academic classes.
Relationships
The Associate Division Director:
- Reports directly to the Division Director in administering the academic program of the Division and oversees the management and communication of Windward’s curriculum and pedagogy.
- Collaborates with the Senior Administrative Team on academic issues.
- Works with chairs, faculty, and members of the Center for Teaching and Learning to support Academic Departments in developing and articulating departmental curriculum and instruction.
- With members of the Responsive Practice and Pedagogy Team, designs and implements faculty-wide in-services guided by the Strategic Plan Goals and Core Competencies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- As a member of the Division team, the Associate Division Director will:
- Support the Division Director in maintaining congruence between the school’s board-approved mission statement and all activities of the division.
- Work effectively with the Division Director to build a cohesive division team that supports the educational needs of the students, communicates effectively with all community members, and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the division.
- Support a professional workplace climate that is supportive and reflects high morale.
- Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through tact, helpfulness, respect, and the recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each community member.
- Know every student and family in the division.
- Coordinate the work of the Division Dean of Students and Counselor, partnering with them on the development of social and emotional initiatives and academic advising through Seminar and other co-curricular Division programming.
- Be able to articulate the developmental, educational, physical, social, emotional and psychological needs of the students while staying current with educational research and emerging trends.
- When necessary, communicate personal information discreetly and professionally.
- Monitor student academic progress and develop systems for supporting all students.
- Actively participate in the development and coordination of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs, including the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs.
- Be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
- Keep the Division Director informed of the general programs, activities and challenges that arise within the division.
- Participate in the admission process as requested, through prospective parent presentations and applicant family interviews.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Division Director and Head of School.
Working with Academic Departments, the Associate Director will:
- Support the department chairs:
- In maintaining congruence with the school’s board-approved mission statement and Strategic Plan.
- In ensuring that curriculum and pedagogy of the department are congruent with school wide initiatives such as responsive teaching
- In ensuring that learning goals and reporting of progress are consistent across departments and developmentally appropriate for students in the Division.
- Make classroom visits and work collaboratively with teachers to integrate developmentally appropriate initiatives and resources into the school program.
- Collaborate with other administrators and department chairs in hiring.
- Implement the process of reviewing and reporting student evaluations and grades to parents
- Serve as the Folio (or other system for faculty growth) coach for the department chairs and oversee the implementation of Folio.
- Serve as a resource for chairs and relevant faculty in building morale, identifying appropriate growth and development.
- With other Associate Directors, lead department chair meetings; assist department chairs in designing and leading department initiatives, oversee yearly reviews and draft updates of the Windward Curriculum Guide and the Windward Student Handbook.
- Distinguish support of the department as a whole from supervision of individual members of the department. When personnel questions or concerns arise, direct individual members of the department to the Division Director and/or the Director of Human Resources.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Paid Holidays, Vacation and Wellness days
- Retirement Plan, including up to 6% employer match
- School-paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account Plans
- Annual $2,000 FlexCheck
- Annual $2,500 Lunch Allowance
- MetLife Group Home & Auto Group Discount
- Access to Peak Performance Center to promote physical and mental health
- Wellness Initiatives, including Chair Massages, free Wellness Coaching, Self-Care Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Remission
- Nurturing, supportive and inclusive community
Salary Range: $125,000- $150,000, depending on experience.
To Apply: All interested candidates should send a resume and a cover letter via the Application link.
EOE
Requirements
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree (M.A. or equivalent) in education or school administration preferred; a minimum of five years teaching experience and/or previous academic leadership such as Department Chair experience is required.
- Proven success at working collaboratively in leading collaborative teams.
- Have demonstrated leadership in project management, research, and building effective programs.
- Dynamic instructional leader with a solid understanding of the developmental and curricular needs of students of the particular division.
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Proficiency with technology and online resources.
- Conversant with all academic disciplines and familiar with teaching methodology across the curriculum
Salary : $125,000 - $150,000