Rye Country Day School is seeking an Upper School English Department Chair beginning in August, 2023. The Upper School English Department Chair is responsible for aligning the department’s teaching and learning to the mission, core values, and vision of the school. Reporting to the Upper School Principal, the Department Chair works collaboratively with the Dean of Faculty and Employees and each member of the department to deliver an exceptional education to Rye Country Day students while tending to individual administrative duties and teaching. 

Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, Prek-12, college preparatory school located in Westchester County, New York dedicated to providing students with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. We are actively committed to creating and sustaining a school community that is nurturing, supportive, diverse, and inclusive, one in which all students can participate fully and achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community.

The Department Chair will:

• Support the School’s mission, core values, and vision 
• Lead regular department meetings that set the department’s course and gauge the department’s progress towards goals each year
• Foster camaraderie within the department by actively striving to build community and by enacting a positive attitude toward change and challenge
• Coordinate the Upper School’s English curriculum with an emphasis on balancing innovation and tradition
• Work with the Upper School Principal in regularly assessing the scope and sequence of the curriculum 
• Support the school’s Professional Growth Framework (PGF) by collaborating with department members to set yearly goals and to assess progress towards those goals
• Visit classes of department members on a regular basis to offer supportive feedback
• Regularly write reports that evaluate teacher and student performance and demonstrate knowledge of their experiences
• Demonstrate an interest in professional development, particularly to stay current and explore new ideas in the discipline; organize in-house and communicate external professional development experiences
• Assist in the hiring and mentoring of new teachers and Fellows
• Assist in coordinating the external peer review process for the department 
• Collaborate with the Dean of Faculty and Employees to oversee the department’s Atlas Rubicon database
• Oversee course selection and student placement with the Upper School Principal and Assistant Principal
• Work with the Upper School Assistant Principal to coordinate book orders for departmental courses and to secure class coverage during teacher absences
• Teach three Upper School English classes
• Model effective classroom teaching for department members 
• Demonstrate an approach that is nurturing and supportive of students and faculty
• Serve as an Upper School Academic Advisor 
• Participate in divisional meetings, field trips, special activities, and rotational duties
• Serve on the Upper School Academic Affairs Committee and the Curriculum Council
• Advocate for school policies and practices that ensure pedagogical success for the department while also promoting and celebrating events and achievements related to the department and its students
• Communicate professionally and effectively with administrators, colleagues, and parents and guardians

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English Literature; Master’s degree or higher preferred
• 5+ years of experience teaching at the Upper School level; experience as a Department Chair preferred
• A well-developed sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; a positive attitude, energy, and an inspiring and adaptive leadership style
• Excitement for working with Upper School students and their families
• Excellent oral, written, and organizational skills
• Facility with digital platforms and hy-flex pedagogies
• Ability to support the extra-curricular life of the school
• Genuine excitement for and ability to work with students, employees, and families

RCDS seeks faculty and staff who support our mission to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever-changing world, and who share our commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant, thriving, and inclusive multicultural learning community. The school is committed to providing invigorating and supportive work experiences for its diverse community of employees. Faculty and staff are offered meaningful opportunities for professional development, growth, and leadership; highly competitive salaries; and extensive benefits. RCDS is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout the community and curriculum. Please visit our website-http://www.ryecountryday.org – to learn more about the school’s rigorous curriculum, values, and strategic initiatives.

Rye Country Day School is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local laws, which prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

Interested candidates should apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to the following link: https://rcds.workable.com/.

About Rye Country Day School

http://www.ryecountryday.org

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