7-12 World Language Department Chair

Westwood Public Schools

The Role

The Westwood Public Schools seeks a 7-12 World Language Department Chair beginning with the 2022-2023 school year to join our caring, innovative middle and high school communities. Our ideal candidate is committed to keeping student voice at the center of speaking, listening, reading and writing instruction. You will lead a team of student-centered educators dedicated to guiding students along their language acquisition journey and instilling in them a passion for learning language and culture. The department offers language learning opportunities in French, Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish to prepare our students to succeed in today’s diverse world, and offerings range from novice through Advanced Placement.

The Department Chair serves as a key member of several leadership teams; oversees periodic reviews of the district World Language curriculum; leads the department in implementing recommendations for improvement; recruits, hires, develops, supervises and evaluates World Language department staff; develops and oversees the World Language department budget; and promotes World Languages both in the schools and the wider community. The Department Chair also maintains a strong connection to students and the classroom by teaching part-time (0.4 FTE). 

Our District:

Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools. As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district.

You will join the strong professional learning community of the Westwood Public Schools. In our mission to prepare students for college, career, and civic life, we work collaboratively to provide rich and rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, trusting relationships, and authentic educational experiences. We hold true to our core district values of academic excellence and a commitment to improvement; curiosity and tenacity; and respectful relationships in a caring, collaborative community. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least five years of experience teaching World Language in a K-12 setting required
• Educational leadership experience within a school or community program strongly preferred
• Master’s degree in education or a closely related field required
• SEI endorsement completed prior to start
• Massachusetts educator license required; must either hold, or be engaged in process to earn, a supervisor/director or administrator license 
• Deep understanding of how to effectively engage students in language learning
• Experience and demonstrated skill managing long-term projects and initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to celebrating diversity, pursuing equity, and promoting integration 
• Familiarity with trauma-sensitive educational practices

Position reports to the Principal of Westwood High School and the Principal of Thurston Middle School.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the World Language department head shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

Student Achievement

• Communicate a vision for improving student learning outcomes and enlist members of the department in achieving that vision
• Examine multiple sources of evidence (e.g.,student work) to understand student learning, assess curriculum, and assess educator effectiveness
• Use data to inform plan for continual departmental improvement

Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development

• Foster a supportive teaching and learning culture
• Oversee collaborative planning sessions to ensure teacher development, lesson planning, and unit development effectively improve student outcomes
• Make frequent classroom visits and engage in post-observation conversations that encourage teacher reflection and continuous improvement
• Recruit, hire, develop and support effective teachers
• Assist teachers in the development of growth plans that promote professional growth and student learning

Communication and Collaboration

• Ensure that staff members know how and why key decisions are being made
• Welcome and partner with parents/caregivers and respond successfully to their concerns
• Celebrate individual, school, and district achievements in World Languages
• Promote culturally responsive practices that support diverse students, families and staff

Teaching and Learning

• Set high learning expectations and encourage student mastery
• Design and implement thoughtful and engaging lessons that consider different student learning needs, styles and interests
• Model best practices for staff members by using student work to inform instruction in the classroom
• Use formative and summative assessments to monitor and evaluate student learning
• Encourage students to self-assess and monitor their own growth

Management and Budget Responsibilities

• Plan for short and long term, prioritizing effectively to reach departmental improvement goals
• Organize productive meetings that engage all members of the department
• Develop and manage the World Language department budget
• Manage both financial and human resources responsibly and seek supplemental resources (e.g., grant funds) when appropriate

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Demonstrates caring and concern for all students
• Conveys a love of learning to students
• Makes positive contributions to the larger school community
• Communicates clearly
• Uses good judgment

This is a school year position that may include limited summer work days (184 days summer time). 

Job Environment:

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors. Job takes place in a high-performing school district with high expectations.

Physical Requirements:

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet.
• Travel among buildings may be required.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.